Construction work on a multi-million pound social housing development in Barrhead is now underway.

Heavy machinery has moved in at the Blackbyres Court site as part of East Renfrewshire Council’s plans to provide 240 new homes for social rent over the next five years.

Work on other Barrhead sites in Robertson Street and Fenwick Drive started earlier this year.

The Blackbyres Court development will be home to a total of 16 three-bedroom terraced houses and six one-bedroom cottage flats, with work expected to be completed in autumn 2019.

Each of the three social housing projects is being delivered in partnership with leading building contractor CCG (Scotland) Ltd.

Based in Glasgow, the firm has been hailed as one of Scotland’s most innovative contractor and manufacturers, with a key focus in the delivery of affordable housing.

Councillor Danny Devlin, East Renfrewshire’s housing and maintenance convener, said: “We have made fantastic progress during 2018 with our social housing plans.

“Barrhead is very important to East Renfrewshire’s future plans and I look forward to seeing all of our sites continue to develop and benefit residents for generations to come.”

Calum Murray, CCG director, added: “The last twelve months has been a very successful period for the strategic partnership, which has delivered quality, energy-efficient homes and a wide range of community benefit initiatives for Barrhead.

“We will continue this trend at Blackbyres Court and look forward to working with East Renfrewshire Council in 2019.”

Council chiefs have said the ambitious plans to build hundreds of properties for social rent will deliver “affordable and adaptable homes” and mean local communities can be expanded for more residents to enjoy.