Work to complete two north-east affordable homes developments abandoned when a construction firm went bust will start-up again later this year.
Muirfield Contracts stopped work on 30 homes in Barrasgate, Fraserburgh and 24 homes in Martin Brae, Inverurie after going into administration earlier this year.
Yesterday, members of the social work and housing committee heard the search for new contractors for the two projects had begun – meaning work should start again after the summer.
Officers said they expected work to start in Inverurie in August, and September in Fraserburgh – putting an end to the community and councillors’ fears that the sites would be left to fall into disrepair.
Work at Martin Brae had not progressed beyond the foundations stage when Muirfield went into administration in March.
The Barrasgate development was funded by £1.6million of Scottish Government funding and Aberdeenshire Council hopes it will “contribute significantly to the physical and social regeneration of Fraserburgh”.
Both projects form part of a scheme to provide 169 affordable homes in 10 different settlements across Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeenshire Council’s head of housing, Douglas Edwardson, said: “We now have a situation where two of our developments have been impacted upon because of that (Muirfield Contracts), but I am pleased to say we have managed to take action as quick as we possibly can.
“We are now in a position where Barrasgate in Fraserburgh will re-commence in September.”
Fraserburgh councillor, Brian Topping, praised the “hard work” of council staff in “getting to this stage”, adding: “We all know housing is such a scarce commodity these days. It is great that we as a council can start building houses.”
Other affordable homes are planned under the scheme for Banff, Peterhead, Westhill, Ballater, and at Conglass and St James’ Court in Inverurie.
Committee chairwoman Karen Clark, said the overall scheme showed “the level of commitment this council is putting into affordable homes”.
It comes as the committee heard that 12 mid-market rental properties in Westhill – part of a 24-home development in the town – will be handed to the council at the end of the month.
Vice-chairwoman, Alisan Norrie, said: “Providing affordable housing is vital for the future economic development of Aberdeenshire.”