Fife Council has hosted a sod-cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction work for new council homes in Dunfermline.

The development at Lapwing Brae formerly known as Dover Heights, is part of Fife Council's Phase Three Affordable Housing Programme which is to deliver 3500 new affordable houses across all areas of Fife by May 2022. The houses are being built for the Council by homebuilder Miller Homes as a collaborative project sitting alongside Miller Homes' new private development.

Phase three of the Affordable Housing programme represents an investment of £114 million pounds. By increasing the availability of good quality affordable housing, existing tenants who are in overcrowded or under-occupied homes can be allocated a house more appropriate for their needs. The development of 60 high quality new affordable homes at Lapwing Brae, are a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom houses. They are a range of house types including bungalows and cottage flats that will make it possible for people who no longer need a large family home to downsize and allow a family who needs more space to move in.

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Convener of the Community and Housing Services Committee, Councillor Judy Hamilton, said: "I'm delighted that construction on the Council houses to be built here at Lapwing Brae has started. The construction of this large development of new council houses marks another significant step towards meeting our target of 3500.

"The mix of house types means we can provide houses to meet the needs of many different households and improve their quality of life. Fife Council is absolutely committed to supplying warmer, drier, and healthier homes in communities in Fife where they are really needed.

"Fife Council's Affordable Housing programme is one of the biggest in Scotland and as well as providing more housing, the programme is also about creating jobs and apprenticeships, supporting the Fife economy and the construction industry. "

Peter Thomson, Regional Managing Director of Miller Homes added: "We are delighted to be involved in this initiative with Fife Council which will bring much needed new council houses to Dunfermline. We have a strong track record of building high quality homes and creating new communities in Fife and we look forward to these homes forming part of our popular Lapwing Brae development."

(MH/JG)