New council homes ahead of schedule

CONSTRUCTION work on 14 new council homes in Tranent has been completed ahead of schedule.

Balfour Square has been transformed over the last nine months from a small grassy area to a development combining one-bedroom flats and two and three-bedroom homes, as well as one wheelchair property.

East Lothian Council's cabinet member for housing, Councillor Stuart Currie, said: "I'm delighted to see the construction process finish ahead of schedule. We have around 1200 people on our housing list hoping for a council home in Tranent, and a stock of only 1100 properties.

"This is one of three council sites that we currently have in the town and our local housing team is looking forward to allocating the properties to tenants and helping them to settle in their new home."

CCG (Scotland) Ltd was awarded the 1.1 million contract to build the homes following a competitive tender process.

Darren McCann, its partnership and innovation manager added: "The Balfour Square project is a testimony to the vision of East Lothian Council to deliver new homes of real quality in areas of acute need.

"These spacious, energy-efficient houses exhibit the best in modern design and materials, making a real contribution to an attractive neighbourhood."