The Scottish Government's Innovation and Investment Fund has awarded £4.41 million to East Lothian Council to build new council houses in North Berwick, Prestonpans, Musselburgh and Cockenzie.

Each local authority in Scotland was invited to prepare a bid for funding for new-build housing projects.

The East Lothian grants are: £1,320,000 for 44 new homes at Lochbridge Road, North Berwick, £270,000 for nine new homes at 43 High Street, Prestonpans, £510,000 for 17 new homes at Monktonhall, Musselburgh, £600,000 for 20 new homes at Kilwinning, Musselburgh, £990,000 for 33 new homes at Cockenzie Harbour and £720,000 for 24 new homes at the Lidl site, Prestonpans

Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, Councillor Stuart Currie, said: "This is great news for East Lothian. The Government recognises how pressured the housing situation is here and this is reflected in us getting these significant funding awards. These new homes were planned as part of our council house building programme, which has seen hundreds of new homes become available for rent through the council over the past couple of years. We plan to continue this programme for the foreseeable future to address the acute shortage of affordable homes across the county. This government funding means, essentially, that we now have a subsidy for each of the new homes being built on these sites so we have to find less from our own, very pressured, budget. We welcome this announcement as great news for East Lothian residents."

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Housing Minister Keith Brown added: "Last week, we announced the outcome of the spending review that will be targeted at maximising capital investment to boost economic recovery. East Lothian Council is investing too, enthusiastically embracing positive measures that will help to boost supply and deliver quality, affordable rented homes for people. Council houses are once again establishing a firm foundation in the region. In the case of North Berwick, the first council homes to be built for 26 years. These developments throughout the region also help the hard-pressed house building sector by supporting jobs and providing new employment opportunities."

Work on the majority of the new homes is due to start in 2011/12.

(JG/BMcC)