The ambitious project to build the first council homes in East Renfrewshire for a generation is underway.

Work has started at the Robertson Street site in Barrhead, which is the first project in East Renfrewshire Council’s plan to deliver 240 homes for social rent over the next five years. A mix of four three-bedroom semi-detached houses and nine one-bedroom amenity flats for residents 60+ will be built at Robertson Street and are expected to be complete by the end of 2018.

The next project at Fenwick Drive, Barrhead, will commence in early summer 2018, with plans for four three-bedroom terrace houses and six one-bedroom cottage flats approved.

A third site at Blackbyres Court, Barrhead, will see thirteen three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses, one four-bedroom house and six one-bedroom cottage flats built, with work expected to commence in Autumn 2018.

Each of the projects are being delivered in partnership with building contractor CCG (Scotland) Ltd.

East Renfrewshire Council leader, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “I am delighted work has commenced on our new council house build project, which will deliver much-needed affordable homes for our residents.

“East Renfrewshire is a popular place to live with a diverse population with a range of requirements, so I am delighted we’re building a range of different types of homes, including those adapted for residents with additional needs. I look forward to seeing the finished product.”

Councillor Danny Devlin, convener for housing and maintenance at East Renfrewshire Council, added: “I am very proud to see the start of the first council house build project in a generation.

“We are aiming to create communities and homes, not just houses, so I’m excited to see the incredible plans starting to come to life in the coming months. It will be fabulous to see each of the sites develop as we prepare to welcome our first tenants through the doors by the end of 2018.”

Calum Murray, director of CCG, added: “The demand for affordable housing is felt across the country and with an increasing demand for specialist housing for the elderly, projects such as these are hugely significant for the region and we are delighted to be working with the East Renfrewshire to make them a reality.

“We will be using our full offsite manufacturing and construction expertise to deliver these homes to the highest quality standard and with enhanced specification, the future residents will benefit from improved environmental performance.

“CCG are also delighted to confirm that we will be providing local job and training opportunities for the duration of the works.”

The build project forms part of East Renfrewshire Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2018/19 - 2022/23, which makes the commitment to deliver almost 700 affordable homes across the authority over the next five years.