More than 80 new homes are to be built in Whitburn, West Lothian.

West Lothian Housing Partnership (WLHP), part of Wheatley Group, has started work on the £11.5 million development at Dixon Terrace and completion is scheduled for early 2020.

A total of 85 new homes will be delivered at the site by contractor Springfield Properties. The mix of flats and houses will feature 28 flats specially designed for older tenants, helping them live independently for longer. In addition, each home will have energy-efficient features including solar panels to cut heating costs.

As part of its contract with WLHP, Springfield will provide jobs and training opportunities for local people.

As well as the new homes at Dixon Terrace, work is well underway on 55 WLHP homes for social rent at Winchburgh Village on the outskirts of Edinburgh, while another 42 homes for mid-market rent are currently being built at Jarvey Street in Bathgate. Another 146 homes, a mix of social rent and mid-market rent, are also planned for Livingston.

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Depute Council Leader Kirsteen Sullivan joined Board members and staff from WLHP and Wheatley Group, as well as local elected members and representatives from West Lothian Council and Springfield Properties to mark the start of work on the homes.

"I am delighted to see work start on 85 new homes for rent in Whitburn," she said.

"There's a huge demand for affordable housing in West Lothian, with around 9,000 people looking for a new home on the Common Housing Register.

"The council is aiming to ensure that 3,000 affordable homes are delivered in West Lothian over the period 2012-2022 to help meet demand. We are pleased to support WLHP with this fantastic new development."

John M Hill, Chair of WLHP, said: "The 85 spacious, energy-efficient homes we're building here will make a huge difference to Whitburn and the wider area. I'm really looking forward to seeing these homes take shape."

Tom Leggeat, Springfield Group Partnerships Managing Director, said: "These stylish, energy-efficient homes will help support local trades and suppliers and bring new employment opportunities, including apprenticeships, to Whitburn."

(LM/MH)