Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess has confirmed almost 70 new affordable homes are to be constructed in Dumfries.

Contracts have been agreed with Robertson Homes to deliver 69 homes at Marchfield, Dumfries, through the award-winning National Housing Trust initiative (NHT).

NHT was established by the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), and sees developers and local authorities jointly funding the purchase of newly-built homes so they can be made available for rent to households at below market rates.

The contribution by each local authority to the scheme for homes in its own area is supported by a Scottish Government guarantee.

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These will be the first NHT homes to be built in Dumfries.

Following the announcement, Ms Burgess said: "It is my belief that everyone should live in a comfortable home which doesn't cost the earth to keep.

"The innovative National Housing Trust initiative is already delivering over 1,000 much-needed homes across Scotland. This deal will deliver close to 70 new homes for Dumfries, secured for very little taxpayers' money.

"Despite Westminster's cuts to out capital budget the Scottish Government is doing everything possible to stimulate growth, maximise our investment in housing and deliver on our target of 30,000 new, affordable homes over the lifetime of this Parliament.

"It is a key priority for this government to continue to maximise investment in housing through new funding models."

Christa Reekie, Commercial Director for SFT, added: "This latest contract signing with Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Robertson Group brings the total number of homes so far to be built under the NHT initiative to over 1,000.

"This clearly demonstrates the benefit of bringing the public sector and private sector developers together in a joint venture to build and deliver quality housing for affordable rent for the benefit of local residents."

(JP/IT)