Ground was broken yesterday on a £13.5million council housing scheme in Aberdeen.
The former football pitches at Manor Park are to be turned into an 80-home complex, with the work carried out by Bancon Construction.
And with the scrapping of the controversial right to buy legislation earlier this month, city council chiefs are confident the homes can put a new “heart” in the community ahead of large-scale works due to commence at the nearby Haudagain.
Many homes will be demolished and tenants re-homed in the “Middlefield triangle” area to make way for the £30million link road which Transport Scotland aims to begin by the end of next year.
The Manor Walk development follows a further 99 council properties being built at the nearby Smithfield site, which are due to be completed in 2018.
City council leader Jenny Laing said the two schemes formed the “biggest council housing project in decades” for the city.
She said: “I think this administration has recognised that social housing is a key priority for the people of Aberdeen so as a result of that we have been very proactive.
“If we want people to come and live in Aberdeen and invest we need to make sure there is housing available for them to do that.”
Bancon’s managing director Gavin Currie said they hoped to complete the construction by March 2018.
He said: “The main aim to making sure these homes fit into the community and we are happy to do anything to help the regeneration of the area.”
Northfield and Mastrick North councillor Gordon Graham said: “This cutting is tinged with sadness for me as I used to play football on this field as a boy.
“But a new sports facility is now taking shape nearby and I think these homes will really enhance the area.
“We have invested £35million in the area and this latest site shows our commitment to regeneration in Aberdeen.”
Fellow ward councillor, and Manor resident, Jackie Dunbar, said: “These homes are sorely needed, they have been in the planning stage since 2007 so I’m absolutely delighted that work has finally begun.”
