The council’s ‘Development Pathfinder’ scheme allowed the purchase of 24 homes at Lorne Place from the developer as part of the council’s ambitious housing programme which aims to deliver 5,000 new homes by 2035.

The new housing is a mix of 12 x 2-bedroom flats: 6 x 2-bedroom terrace houses and 6 x 3-bedroom terraced houses.

Set in the heart of the local community, these new modern homes for rent comply with energy efficiency standards, helping tackle fuel poverty and create a vibrant and welcoming addition to the area, which has lay vacant for a number of years. They are also designed with dementia design and housing for varying needs principles, including different coloured front doors to help with visibility and navigation, clearly visible entrances, level access and good lighting throughout and electrical switches and sockets at accessible locations.

Housing convener, Councillor Michael McPake, marked the official handover by presenting flowers to new tenant Stephanie who was joined by her daughter Arianna.

Councillor McPake said: “Working with housing developers and buying new ‘off the shelf’ properties is just one of the ways we provide modern, affordable homes for our tenants. From the outset, we discuss the specification of our new homes ensuring they are built to include our accessibility and sustainability standards.

“This approach is in addition to our traditional design and build method and supplements our ambitious plans to build over 5,000 new homes. This project is an excellent example of how we’re successfully working with developers to deliver high quality homes for our tenants, while boosting the local economy and transforming communities.”

The project cost £4.43 million and is supported by a grant funded contribution from the Scottish Government of £2.364m.