Midlothian Council has submitted a bid for over £12m as part of the Scottish Government and COSLA's kickstart of council house building initiative to encourage new council house building across Scotland.

Midlothian Council was one of the first authorities in Scotland to embark on a 5-year new build programme in 2006 as part of its Local Housing Strategy. One of the aims of the strategy is to deliver 1800 affordable homes for rent and sale, including 1000 new Council homes for rent, with the balance provided by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). By the end of 2008, 207 new council homes were completed and a further 300 are under construction.

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Councillor Derek Milligan, Council Leader said: "We have a proven track record of delivering new build council housing and we work closely with Registered Social Landlords in Midlothian to address the desperate need for affordable housing. Unlike our RSL partners, we have received no central government assistance towards our current building programme.

"We have submitted a bid for £25,000 per unit for 495 units, a total of £12,375,000 and I am confident that this support will help us build 495 homes which will further reduce the waiting lists in Midlothian."

(GK/JM)