East Lothian Council has revealed plans to invest £144 million towards building and maintaining homes across the region.

Over the next five years, £85m will be provided to develop new local authority housing, while £59m is being allocated to modernise and extend existing homes.

A total of 35 new homes are expected to be built at Pinkie in Musselburgh later this year, including a further 18 at Russell Walk in North Berwick. Further developments are planned for Tranent, Cockenzie and Haddington.

Housing spokesman Norman Hampshire said: "I'm delighted that, in the next year, a number of new council homes are expected to be completed in Musselburgh and North Berwick – providing high-quality accommodation for families and individuals. This is part of a significant £85 million investment in new council housing over the next five years, which will see the construction of homes throughout the county.

-- Advertisement --

"With further developments planned, this is excellent news for those seeking a council house and also for the economy, as it will require the involvement of firms including the construction industry."

The rolling programme of council housing improvements will include refurbishments of bathrooms, kitchens and roofing and the installation of energy efficiency measures.

The purchase of some former council homes for sale on the open market will also continue.

Mr Hampshire continued: "We are committed to improving our existing housing stock, and will be investing almost £59 million in the modernisation of council homes throughout the county. This includes an increased focus on energy efficiency measures – helping to make tenants' homes warmer and cheaper to heat, helping to reduce fuel poverty."

(LM/CD)