AN AMBITIOUS project to build more than 200 affordable homes in the Barrhead area is now underway.

Work has started at the Robertson Street site, which marks the beginning of the first stage of East Renfrewshire Council’s planned social housing developments in three locations across the area.

The build is part of the council-wide Strategic Housing Investment Plan, which aims to provide almost 700 new homes in the next five years.

Robertson Street will gain a mix of four three-bedroom semi-detached houses and nine one-bedroom amenity flats for elderly residents aged 60 years or over.

The initial phase is set to be completed by the end of this year.

Council leader 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.”

There will be further construction of affordable housing in two more parts of the Barrhead area.

The Fenwick Drive project will commence this summer, while a further redevelopment at Blackbyres Court will start up in autumn.

Councillor Danny Devlin, convenor for housing and maintenance, said: “We are aiming to create communities and homes, not just houses, so I’m excited to see these incredible plans start 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.”

The projects will be carried out in partnership with Glasgow-based building contractor CCG (Scotland) Ltd, which specialises in the delivery of affordable housing.

The company’s director, Calum Murray, said: “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 ERC 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.

“We will also be providing local job and training opportunities for the duration of the works.”

Councillors approved the housebuilidng programme in November, as they try to meet national targets set by the Scottish Government which aim to deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes across the country over the lifetime of the next parliament.