Work has begun on the first council housing in Edinburgh in a generation.

Housing Minister Alex Neil cut the first sod of earth from the construction site in Gracemount where 215 homes will be developed.

The homes are being built by the city council, backed by £7.5 million of Scottish government funding.

At least half of the development will be affordable housing with 99 homes built in the first phase. Of these, 67 will be for social rent, 20 mid rent and the rest shared equity.

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Mr Neil said: "This is a historic day for the the nation's capital. After 30 years, council houses are once again establishing a firm foundation in Edinburgh.

"The City of Edinburgh Council has enthusiastically embraced these positive measures, helping to boost supply and deliver quality, affordable rented homes for people in the city."

The construction work is part of the Council's 21st Century Homes programme which aims to build 1,300 mixed tenure homes for sale and rent across the Capital over the next eight years.

(GK)