A MASSIVE development that will bring more than 800 new homes to East Renfrewshire is taking shape.

The framework for the first homes at the Maidenhill site, in Newton Mearns, has been erected.

This milestone marks the completion of the initial works and access to Maidenhill, which has allowed East Renfrewshire Council to develop a new primary school in the centre of the development.

Construction of the first of the 834 properties being built by CALA Homes (West) and Taylor Wimpey West Scotland is now well underway, with these expected to be released in the coming months.

Angus Murray, construction director of CALA Homes (West), told the Barrhead News: “With the first homes starting to take shape, we are reaching a real landmark in the build schedule which leads to a point where people will be able to see some of the first homes brought to life.”

Brian Henderson, production director of Taylor Wimpey West Scotland, added: “It’s great to see real movement at Maidenhill, with work on the homes progressing well.

“It won’t be long now before the local community will start to see the fruits of our efforts.

“We have been hard at work, creating the road network to facilitate access to the school and sports and recreation facilities, so seeing the first homes on the site is a welcome step forward in the creation of Maidenhill.”

A number of objections to the multi-million pound Maidenhill development were lodged prior to work getting underway.

Among those who opposed plans for the new homes were members of the Newton Mearns Residents Flood Prevention Group, who claimed that as many as 1,500 existing residents in the area could be at risk of serious flooding as a result of the development.