Construction work has begun at the former site of Marchburn School as Aberdeen's new build council house programme continues at a pace.

The demolition of Marchburn School took place last year to pave the way for the council to continue with phase two of its new-build housing programme.

Robertson, the infrastructure, support services and construction group will build 35 new homes of various types and sizes, including three bedroom family properties and parking spaces at the location.

The site will be developed as a Homezone scheme with a courtyard layout to encourage social interaction and create sheltered, useable, external spaces.

Homezone aims to change the way streets are used and to improve quality of life, by making them places for people, not just traffic, so that the needs of car drivers are secondary to the needs of users of the street.

It works to limit the volume and/or speed of traffic whilst creating places for play, resting and gathering for residents.

In line with Aberdeen City Council's Local Plan, more than a third of the site will be retained as public amenity space which will enhance the surrounding areas.

The Marchburn properties will be built to a high standard and will be environmentally sustainable, quality homes.

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Aberdeen City Council's Housing and Environment Convener, Councillor Aileen Malone, said: "This is the third event in as many weeks I have been to which features the council's new council house build programme.

"In today's severe economic climate the demand for social housing is increasing so it is great to see the progress being made towards developing the first mainstream family housing in over 30 years.

"By working in partnership with top-notch construction companies we will provide inspirational 21st century housing which is high quality, sustainable, energy efficient and incorporates a degree of flexibility to meet the future needs of tenants."

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "Scottish Government funding is helping local authorities to reverse the decades of decline in council house building.

"Aberdeen City Council is driving forward with an ambitious council house building programme. That is good news for families in the North East that want access to high quality, affordable homes."

Pete Leonard, Director of Housing and Environment said: "I am very pleased to see construction work get under way on our latest phase of new build affordable housing in the city. It is a clear indication of the excellent partnership working between Elected Members, Council staff, Scottish Government and our private sector partners."

Sean O'Callaghan, spokesperson for Robertson added: "We're delighted to be working on this project to provide much needed social housing for the people of Aberdeen. We have a wealth of experience in this sector – in fact, to date, Robertson has built over 4000 social affordable homes across Scotland.

"We are pleased to be marking this important step in the development, and look forward to working closely with Aberdeen City Council to take this project forward into the next stage of construction."

The Marchburn development is being funded by the housing revenue account and £875,000 (£25,000 per unit) of the Scottish Government's Incentivising New Council House Building monies. The homes are due for completion in December 2011.

Phase 1 of the programme will see the creation of up to 85 new homes at Hayton Road in Tillydrone, Byron Park in Northfield and Rorie Hall in Cults.

The demolition of Croft House Care Home in Stockethill [21 January 2011] paved the way for the development of Phase 3 which is due to commence in March 2011. It will see the construction of 31 new homes being built on the site of former care home Croft House at Oldcroft Place.

(GK)