Aberdeen City Council's new-build housing programme will mark a major milestone on Thursday with the topping out ceremony at Oldcroft Gardens.

The development in the Stockethill area aims to provide much-needed accommodation in the city and will boast 20 two-bed flats and 11 three-bed houses.

It is the third phase in the council's new-build programme. Work started in February last year [2011] with the demolition of the former care home on the site, Croft House. A sod-cutting ceremony followed in April.

Aberdeen City Council appointed construction company Robertson Construction Eastern Ltd to build the 31 homes as part of the council's commitment to build the first mainstream family homes in the city in over 30 years.

Robertson will create environmentally sustainable properties, which will be of good quality and with parking spaces. The houses will be built around a central courtyard.

Aberdeen City Council Housing and Environment Committee Convener Aileen Malone said: "In the current economic climate more and more people are in need of council housing and this has been reflected in an ever growing waiting list.

"The development of affordable housing to support independent living throughout life is essential as the city requires to increase its workforce in order to respond to the economic opportunities planned for the future as Aberdeen continues to grow.

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"I am absolutely delighted that the Oldcroft Gardens development has reached this milestone and I congratulate everyone who has made this possible."

Aberdeen City Council Director of Housing and Environment Pete Leonard added: "This is another landmark moment for the council as it builds its first mainstream family homes for over 30 years, and is a very positive measure of the commitment the council has towards ensuring it continues to deliver services to meet the needs of its citizens, despite difficult economic times."

Sean O'Callaghan, Regional Managing Director at Robertson, said: "We are delighted to be making good progress on this site and capitalising on the momentum gained at our phase two site at Marchburn Drive, which will be completed shortly. Some of the recent weather conditions have proved challenging and I would like to thank the supply chain; design team and client for their continued support in helping us maintain our progress during this time.We look forward to the completion of this development by late spring this year and I am sure that the quality of our product will reflect well with the new tenants."

Phase one of the new-build council housing programme involved the creation of up to 85 new homes; 30 at Hayton Road in Tillydrone, 28 at Byron Court in Northfield and 27 at Rorie Hall, Cults. The second phase is well under way with the development of 35 new homes of various types and sizes, comprising two and three bedroom family properties, with parking, at Marchburn Drive.

Aberdeen City Council's new-build programme (for all three phases) is being funded by the housing revenue account and £3,930,000 of the Scottish Government's Incentivising New Council House Building monies.

The Oldcroft Gardens development has received £930,000 (£30,000 per unit) of new build grant monies from the Scottish Government. The council plans to continue to build more new homes both for general needs and special needs, which will make a significant contribution to meeting the needs of its citizens.

(GK)