Work is continuing to progress on a new housing development in North Fod, Dunfermline.

A total of 49 Council homes are being built on the site, located just off Pittsburgh Road.

The development consists of 11 bungalows, 26 semi-detached houses and 12 cottage flats.

Work is set to be completed on the properties in autumn 2015.

Visiting the site, Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife Council's Executive spokesperson for Housing and Building Services, said: "We have a target of delivering 2,700 affordable homes by 2017 but within that there are other important milestones that we are keen to achieve too. Maximising employment and training opportunities is one of these aims and it’s great to see that in practice here today."

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In addition to the contractor, a number of Fife Council's Building Services apprentices are also working on the site.

Councillor Tony Martin, Youth Employment Ambassador for Fife Council, added: "I'm pleased that local company Sharp Construction is able to accommodate our apprentices. It will allow them to benefit from some real hands on training now that foundation work has been completed and the timber kits are beginning to go up.

"Sharp Construction, one of the contractors working on North Fod, has also been successful in securing funding from the Fife Youth Job Contract. The £5 million project is being delivered by Fife Council and the Opportunities Fife partnership. It gives young people aged from 16 – 24 a chance to get a Modern Apprenticeship just like this and find their way into the right career.

"North Fod is a great example of how the Council's affordable housing programme is creating local employment and training opportunities as well as much needed housing."

George McTrusty, Finance Manager for Sharp Construction, commented: "This contract has allowed us to recruit seven apprentices in the first year. Developing the job sharing exchange scheme will also allow the Council's apprentices to develop skills and try out new areas of work."

(JP/CD)