Work has started on 70 new homes for social rent by Cube Housing Association, part of Wheatley Group, in the first phase of a major regeneration project in Milton.

The development of flats and terraced houses are being built on empty land in Liddesdale Road in Milton by contractor City Building (Contracts) with part funding from Glasgow City Council.

Councillor George Redmond, executive member for jobs, business and investment, today joined Cube vice-chair Catherine Lowe, residents, staff from Cube and City Building and Cube Board members to mark the start of the work.

Cube director David MacKenzie said: “Milton is a great community but we know from listening to local people that there is a shortage of quality, affordable homes for rent.

“The 70 new homes we’re building for older people and for families in this first phase will provide the kind of housing people have told us they want. But this will be just the start. By working with our partners in Wheatley and Glasgow City Council we’re playing a part in what will be a major transformation of the community over the next few years.”

The new homes, which include 19 amenity flats specially adapted for older people and nine for wheelchair users, are the first to be built in the community since 2001 when Cube completed 35 homes nearby.

Future phases of the regeneration project in Milton will see GHA, also part of Wheatley Group, demolish unpopular tenements and, subject to planning and grant approval, build 54 energy-efficient new homes for social rent in Cathay Street and a further 50 homes for mid-market rent on Scaraway Street.

GHA and Cube are also upgrading and modernising their existing homes in the area with GHA carrying out £9m of improvements over the next five years. Cube will also be installing new kitchens and showers in its homes in the area.

Councillor Redmond said: “It is great to see work beginning on these first 70 homes, a landmark in the regeneration of Milton. I am delighted that the council has played such a key role in ensuring these high quality homes for rent will be built in the area, improving the lives of families and older people.”

The £7.4million first phase of 70 new homes is being partly funded through a grant from Glasgow City Council and from Wheatley Group’s £300million pot of private finance raised on the capital bond markets in late 2014 to help increase the supply of affordable housing.

The 70 homes will range from one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom houses and are due to be finished by spring 2018.

Graham Paterson, executive director of City Building, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council to deliver 70 new quality homes at affordable rents to local people in the Milton area of the city. The properties are designed to be as energy efficient as possible, helping to reduce fuel bills for tenants and creating a greener Glasgow.”