The announcement was made yesterday to coincide with Scottish Housing Day, and marks the largest development the council has undertaken since the start of its new-build programme in 2011.

The homes are being built in partnership with Barratt Homes and will form part of a larger development of homes at Huntingtower Park also being built by Barratt Homes.

Council leader Cllr Murray Lyle said: “This is the council’s largest new-build project since we started our construction programme eight years ago. It represents a major investment of £9.17m in new council houses with renewable energy technology in a much sought-after development area in Perth.

“Building more affordable housing is a key priority for us. Our multi-million-pound building programme, combined with our work supporting new builds with our Housing Association partners, has seen over 500 additional homes delivered right across Perth and Kinross since 2011. Most have been built in areas where there is an acute shortage of affordable housing for local people.

“Huntingtower is a very important site on the outskirts of Perth and I’m delighted to see it being redeveloped to provide such high-quality council housing. I look forward to seeing these homes completed next year and new tenants moving in.”

The development at Huntingtower Park will provide much-needed, high-quality housing for affordable rent. The development is also part of Perth & Kinross Council’s programme of house building that has delivered over 200 new council homes across the area in the last eight years.

David Palmer, managing director for Barratt North Scotland, added: “Huntingtower is our first development in the Perth area for some time and the level of interest we have received shows that quality new build homes in the area are in significant demand. As one of Scotland’s leading housebuilders, we’re committed to delivering affordable homes in the communities we serve and doing our bit to deliver Scotland’s ambitious housing targets. We’re therefore very excited to be working with Perth & Kinross Council to deliver these new homes for the Perth community.”

When the development at Huntingtower Park is complete, it will consist of the following mix of properties, all for social rent by Perth & Kinross Council:

• 12 x 1 bedroom (2 Person) flats
• 18 x 2 bedroom (4 Person) flats
• 33 x 2 bedroom (4 Person) houses
• 7 x 3 Bedroom (4 Person) houses