A PROJECT to build East Renfrewshire’s first council houses in a generation will also create new jobs and work experience for the people of Barrhead.

Eight new jobs and 13 work experience placements will be created as part of the agreement with contractor CCG (Scotland) Ltd during the construction of 43 new homes.

East Renfrewshire Council has also secured a range of community benefits as part of the contract for the housing project in the town’s Robertson Street, Fenwick Drive and Blackbyres Court.

Councillor Danny Devlin, convener of housing and maintenance, said:

“The council looks to achieve best value with all contracts and this includes a commitment from suppliers to support communities in East Renfrewshire.

“These new jobs and experiences for young people are very much welcome and we look forward to continuing to work with CCG to deliver these commitments.”

Work has already started at the Robertson Street site and it is due to be completed before the end of the year.

This is part of the council’s commitment to deliver 240 new homes for social rent over the next five years.

Throughout the building works, a range of learning opportunities for local schools will be developed by the company.