The first mainstream social housing to be built in Aberdeen in over 30 years has been officially opened.

Phase One of the development saw the creation of 85 new homes; 28 at Byron Court, 30 at Hayton Road in Tillydrone and 27 at Rorie Hall in Cults.

A mixture of home types and sizes, including two and three-bedroom family properties are on offer in Northfield and Tillydrone and one and two-bedroom homes for varying needs in Cults.

The ceremony was conducted by the City Council's Housing and Environment Convener, Councillor Aileen Malone and the open day at Bryon Court, Byron Terrace in Northfield included street entertainment, music and barbecue for the tenants of the Phase One developments.

Stewart Milne Construction was awarded the contract to build the Phase One homes and began work in March 2010.

Work was completed in spring this year and the first tenants have just moved in.

Aberdeen's new build council housing programme sees the creation of high quality, sustainable, energy efficient and incorporates a degree of flexibility to meet the future needs of tenants.

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These developments are intended to re-generate areas and provide much needed accommodation within the city that will strengthen community spirit and enhance neighbourhood identities.

The new homes have been designed to encompass five renewable energy sources which will greatly reduce the overall running costs of the properties. These include air source heat pumps, solar thermal panels, mechanical ventilation heat recovery, grey water recycling (for the flats) and rain water harvesting (for houses).

Aberdeen City Council's Housing and Environment Convener Aileen Malone said: "Our New Build Programme is much more than simply constructing much needed homes to help alleviate housing waiting lists and reduce homelessness in the city. These 21st century homes have been built to encourage sustainable communities for the benefit of our citizens now and for future generations."

Managing director of Stewart Milne Construction, Bill Imlach, said: "With sustainability at the top of the housebuilding agenda and an ever increasing demand for quality public sector housing, the Aberdeen City Council new build programme has proved itself an industry leading initiative. The contract required incorporation of several renewable technologies, giving us an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our sustainable building credentials, and our wealth of expertise allowed us to integrate effectively the features into the design and build process."

Aberdeen City Council's new-build programme (for all three phases) is being funded by the housing revenue account and £3,030,000 of the Scottish Government's Incentivising New Council House Building monies.

The Oldcroft Place development has received £930,000 (£30,000 per unit) of New Build grant monies from the Scottish Government.

(JG)