The first physical step towards regenerating one of Aberdeen's most deprived areas went ahead today, with the demolition of a block of tenements.

The demolition of the 36 Hayton Road flats, which were built in 1937, also paves the way for the council to begin building the first new general-needs council homes in Aberdeen for a generation.

This is one of three sites being developed across the city as part of the council's new-build housing programme. Phase one will see the creation of more than 90 new homes. The other sites are the old nursery site at Byron Park, in Northfield, and Rorie Hall in Cults.

A mix of home types and sizes, including two and three-bedroom family properties, will be built on the Hayton Road site, which is occupied by terraced tenement flats (numbers 4–14), to provide much-needed new housing in Tillydrone.

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Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Kate Dean said: "This is a significant and very important step in moving towards the provision of much-needed new, high-quality council homes in Aberdeen, and towards the regeneration of Tillydrone.

"Regeneration is a really important issue and I am very pleased to see the council taking strides towards it.

"This first phase will bring great benefits to Tillydrone, while the whole new-build programme promises great improvements for city tenants."

The 31 properties will be environmentally sustainable, quality homes. This development marks the first phase of an £11.5m programme to create new council homes across the city. It is being funded by the housing revenue account. The Hayton Road phase leg of the work will cost around £3.8m.

Aberdeen City Council's head of planning and policy for housing/community safety Craig Stirrat, who is chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland, said: "I am delighted to mark this occasion of the first steps in the delivery of new council housing in a generation, which will be designed to be fit for the 21st century.

"The provision of good affordable housing is a fundamental part of creating sustainable communities and demonstrates the council's commitment to the wider regeneration of Tillydrone and the city."

Building work at Hayton Road is expected to begin within a year and take approximately a year to complete. It is anticipated that the first tenants will move in around the summer of 2011.

(GK)