The development is located on the site of a former pub at Glasgow Road in Bathgate.

Lovell Partnerships are developing the new housing, which is part of West Lothian Council’s building programme to develop 1,000 new homes across the region by 2017.

The site will include four one-bedroom cottage flats, four two-bedroom cottage flats and a two-bedroom bungalow.

A new access road and turning circle to Windyknowe Primary School has also been built on the site.

Councillor Harry Cartmill said: “It is great news that work has started on these nine new council homes for rent in Bathgate.

“When they are complete they will be a welcome addition to the housing stock for local people.”