Two sod-cutting ceremonies have marked the start of housing association projects that will accommodate hundreds of people.

Projects outside Glasgow and Dundee are being built by GRAHAM Construction for Sanctuary Group.



At the sod cutting of Cumbernauld's £5.8m Ainslie Road and Maclehose Road development, due to be completed in April 2013, a councillor said he looked forward to seeing the work "transform the site".

Sam Love of the Housing and Social Work Committee at North Lanarkshire Council said: "There is ongoing demand for social housing across North Lanarkshire, and in particular in Cumbernauld, so this development will provide much needed, high quality housing for the area."

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The project comprises 44 two-storey homes, seven wheelchair-accessible bungalows and seven three/four storey apartment blocks.



The second sod cutting took place to celebrate the commencement of the final £6.2m phase of the project to regenerate Dundee's Ardler estate.

A spokesman for the GRAHAM Group said the multi-million pound award-winning Ardler project has "breathed new life into a once tired estate".

GRAHAM will offer a minimum of eight new entrant trainee or apprenticeship opportunities and 20 work experience opportunities at each site as well as over £30,000 towards benefit projects in each local community.



Housing Minister Keith Brown said it was "very encouraging" to see apprentices involved.

He added: "By helping to boost our economy, through the direct impact it has on construction and jobs, continued investment in new, affordable housing can help everyone across Scotland."

(NE)