Demolition contractors have moved in to the North Sighthill area of Edinburgh.

Flats at Sighthill Wynd and Sighthill Green are to be demolished starting today, to make way for 320 new homes for sale and rent, half of which will be affordably priced and half of which will be on the private market.

This part of the capital is undergoing a major regeneration plan, the 21st Century Homes Programme.

Edinburgh council workers have estimated that the city needs 16,000 more affordable homes to address an "acute shortage", a spokesperson said.

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The work will take four months to complete and contractors will start soft stripping (taking away windows, doors, internal fittings) over the coming weeks before demolition of the blocks begins.

It follows on from the demolition of the three multi-storey blocks which took place in September 2011.

Cammy Day, the city council’s Housing Leader, said: "Affordable housing is a huge priority for this Council which is why our 'contract with the capital' includes several pledges on housing. These include making sure the city's people are well-housed and encouraging developers to build residential communities.

"There is a constant strain on housing in Edinburgh and we will ensure we continue to look at new and innovative ways of securing investment for more affordable homes."

Other areas included in the programme are Gracemount, Greendykes, Leith Fort and Pennywell and Muirhouse, where older housing has been demolished to make way for new homes.

(NE)