Falkirk Council has revealed plans to invest more than £143 million in housing over the next three years.

Overall, up to £13.5m will be spent making improvements to around 5,000 properties across the region. Key areas include;

• £8.7m for re-roofing and roughcasting

• £2.7m for replacement kitchens and bathrooms

• £2.15m for electrical improvement works

In addition, £4.2m is being allocated towards an on-going programme of heating system upgrades, which will improve the energy efficiency of around 500 homes and the extension of the combined heat and power system to a further three blocks of high rise flats.

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A further £1.5m will be spent on a programme of renewable energy efficiency projects, while £1.5m will go towards improving local estates.

Up to £47.2m is being invested to build 246 new homes across the council area in Falkirk, Denny, Bonnybridge, Hallglen and Grangemouth.

A further £6m has been allocated to help the Council 'buy-back' former Council homes sold under 'right-to-buy' legislation, with around 240 properties expected to be bought over the next three years.

Rents are also set to rise on average of £2.31, increasing to an average of £66.36 per week.

The council said the investment programme is entirely separate from the Council’s other budgets and revenue raised by rents and grants etc, can only be reinvested in housing programmes and no other aspect of Council services.

Director of Corporate and Housing Services, Stuart Ritchie, said: "We have an ongoing commitment to improve our housing in the local area and the level of investment shows our commitment to making this happen.

"Rents still remain comparatively low and an extensive consultation with tenants helped inform our decisions when setting the charges."

(LM)