Work on a £3million affordable home development in the north-east which was abandoned after a construction firm went into administration will start up again.
Muirfield Contracts workers downed tools at Inverurie’s 24-home Martin Brae and Fraserburgh’s 30-home Barrasgate sites in March when the company’s difficulties became public.
Yesterday it was revealed that Bancon Homes will take the reins of the Inverurie development in September.
However, the future of the other site is still hanging in the balance.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said the authority was still working to appoint a contractor for the half-finished homes in Fraserburgh, adding that it hoped to complete the tendering process soon.
Fraserburgh councillor Charles Buchan said it would be “disappointing if that project is delayed significantly”, adding: “We were hoping to get it going and contracts written by September.
“I’d be very, very disappointed if this is delayed much longer because the 30 houses are really needed.
“There is a big waiting list for accommodation and this is high quality stuff.
“We were pleased to get it. It fits in with our regeneration efforts and the sooner they are accepted the better. I wouldn’t like this left empty over winter time.”
Work at Martin Brae had not progressed beyond the foundations stage when Dundee-based Muirfield went into administration.
Inverurie councillor Bryan Stuart said: “We are pleased to see it moving forward. It is unfortunate what happened and one thing that maybe comes out of this thing is how we actually assess contractors.
“It is good to see it moving again. We desperately need these homes in Inverurie. There is a high demand for affordable housing and it is not going to go away any time soon.”
Both projects form part of a scheme to provide 169 affordable homes in 10 different settlements across Aberdeenshire.
The council’s head of property, Allan Whyte, said: “The process of finding alternative companies to complete the developments and upgrades to homes started almost immediately when we became aware of the issues.
“We have made a real effort to resume work as soon as possible.
“We have been in discussions with Bancon about a revised timescale for completion of the Martin Brae works, which we should know in short course.”