The council terminated its contracts with Dundee-based Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd after the company went into administration.

Among those contracts was the £5.1 million, 30-home Barrasgate development and the council entered into negotiations with existing contractors to complete the project.

Robertson Construction submitted the best tender and discussions to develop a timeframe for completion of the part-finished development have started.

Muirfield was also undertaking a contract for an affordable housing development at Martin’s Brae in Inverurie, where work also stopped.

The council recently appointed Bancon Homes as contractor to finish this project and work has restarted on site.

Upgrades to Aberdeenshire Council homes, including windows, doors, bathrooms and kitchens, were also being carried out by Muirfield when administrators were appointed.

Following a tender process, Robertson Construction will pick up stalled improvement works on kitchens and windows across the area worth more than £2,300,000.

Mears Group will carry out upgrades to bathrooms and doors worth more than £2,350,000.

Installation of efficient windows and doors will now be completed by R. Davidson at a cost of just under £250,000.

All of the stock improvements which had been due to be carried out by Muirfield will now be complete by next spring.

The council is communicating with affected tenants to keep them informed of progress while arrangements are made to complete this work.

Aberdeenshire Council’s head of property, Allan Whyte, said: “The process of finding alternative companies to complete the developments and upgrades to homes started almost immediately when we became aware of the issues.

“We know the affordable housing developments at Barrasgate and at Martin’s Brae were eagerly anticipated and although the circumstances were out of our control, we have made a real effort to resume work as soon as possible.

“We made an early commitment to ensure none of our residents would be unduly affected by the Muirfield administration and have worked hard to ensure all of the planned work will now go ahead.

“We would like to thank council tenants for their patience while we worked through the issues caused by the Muirfield administration.”

@Aberdeenshire