The first turf has been cut on a site at Kellie Road, Dunbar, to mark the start of a new development.

A total of 16 new flats are to be built on the site by Hart Builders, which will then be purchased by East Lothian Council for council housing.

The 16 flats will all have two bedrooms and will be in blocks of four. They will be built to meet appropriate Housing for Varying Needs standards, with four of the ground floor flats being installed with wet-floor showers to make them more accessible to people who are less mobile. Each property will also have very energy efficient heating systems and high levels of insulation, while each of the properties will receive £46,000 (a total of £736,000) in Council House Building Grant from the Scottish Government.

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The 0.4-hectare site is located at the east end of Kellie Road, within a residential area, and close to the roundabout at Spott Road. Planning permission was granted for the development in December 2012, and work will start this month. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by mid-2015.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, East Lothian Council's Housing Spokesperson, said: "Things are really gathering pace in terms of new council housing in the county. The council delivered 120 new homes last year and another 75 new council homes will be built by March 2015.

"These 16 flats will make a very useful addition to council housing in Dunbar, particularly in terms of providing four very accessible ground floor flats. I am delighted with the emphasis on energy efficiency in the new flats too – it doesn't just take the sting out of heating bills but also supports a much more sustainable way of living – something which, as we all know, is very important to us here in Dunbar."

David Small, Managing Director of Hart Builders, added: "Hart Builders is delighted to continue our partnership working with East Lothian Council and deliver 16 new homes for rent in Dunbar.

"By working closely with the Council, we are able to deliver an ongoing programme of new highly sustainable homes which at the same time allows us to continue to invest in East Lothian and ensure we maximise local employment opportunities and apprenticeships in the area, which benefits the local community hugely."

(JP/CD)