East Lothian Council's plans to deliver new Council housing in the county have been given a boost thanks to a £2.6m grant from the Scottish Government.

East Lothian has received the largest share of the £25m fund made available to kick start Council house building in Scotland. The funds will subsidise the building of 105 Council houses at two development sites in Macmerry and Dunbar.

The funding will be used to subsidise 35 units at Brierbush Road, Macmerry. Macmerry-based construction company Hart Builders was awarded the £3.8m contract following a competitive tender and will begin work on-site in May 2009. It will also be used to subsidise 70 Council units at Brunt Court in Dunbar where work is expected to start on site at the end of Summer.

-- Advertisement --

Cabinet member for Housing and Community Services Councillor Stuart Currie said: "We're delighted at this award. It will support us to deliver over 100 new Council houses and also keep our construction industry building during the economic downturn.

"The award for East Lothian is the largest in Scotland and reflects the acute challenges that we face caused by low stock turnover, high land prices and high demand for housing. Attracting additional funding like this allows us to make the money that we have go further."

East Lothian Council has a housing stock of around 8100 properties with approximately 5500 people on its housing list. It has lost over 50% of its stock due to 'Right To Buy'.

(GK/BMcC)