Lovell has been awarded three new contracts by West Lothian Council, totalling more than £38m, it has been announced.

Under the projects, the local affordable housing developer will deliver 443 new council homes as part of the Council's new-build housing programme. A total of 195 new homes will be constructed at sites in Wester Inch, Bathgate; Redhouse West, Blackburn and in Pumpherston.

The developments, which have a combined value of £17.5m, will provide a mix of cottage flats, houses and bungalows. Work on the properties is expected to be completed in December 2016.

Elsewhere, Lovell has been appointed to build 230 new homes in an £18.1m development at Kirkhill, Broxburn. This is due for completion by April 2017 and will again feature a mix of cottage flats, houses and bungalows.

Finally, the company has recently commenced work on an 18-home redevelopment of the former Broxburn Primary School. The scheme is set to be finished in summer 2015.

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In a statement, Lovell said all 443 homes will be available for social rent.

Throughout the construction phases, it added that "significant training and job opportunities" will be provided for the local community, with the creation of 16 construction apprenticeships, 18 additional trainee jobs, four graduate jobs and 41 work placements.

Welcoming the announcement, Executive Councillor for Services for the Community, George Paul, said: "We're delighted to reach this stage in the process which will see 443 new homes being built across West Lothian.

"West Lothian Council are committed to providing new, affordable homes across the county and we are very proud of our track record in delivering new homes for the residents of West Lothian.

"Creating employment and training opportunities is also a key component of this agreement and this will provide an important added benefit for residents.

"The quality of the homes that Lovell has built to date has been excellent and the council and Lovell have worked well together in the past. I'm sure this phase will be equally successful."

Alan Taylor, Regional Director at Lovell, added: "This is our fourth year of working with West Lothian Council to help provide high-quality new council homes for people in the area.

"We are delighted to have been selected for these latest projects which will make a real difference in West Lothian, both for the local community and the local economy, delivering extensive job and training opportunities alongside modern council homes built to the latest standards."

(JP/IT)