The construction of eight new one-bedroom council flats has been completed at Middleshot Square in Prestonpans.

Construction started at Middleshot Square in February 2010. Ogilvie Construction Ltd officially handed over completion papers and keys to the council on the £900,000 development. The Prestonpans housing office will now begin allocating the properties to tenants in the area.

East Lothian Council has 1352 properties in Prestonpans, having lost approximately 1045 homes under Right to Buy. Over 1000 people are awaiting a council house in the area - with over 550 hoping for a one-bedroom property.

East Lothian Council's Cabinet member for Housing Councillor Stuart Currie met with Ogilvie's Managing Director Phil McEwan to mark the end of the construction period.


Cllr Currie commented: "There is a huge demand for council housing in Prestonpans so our housing team are keen to start working with tenants to allocate the homes. The flats' central location will appeal to tenants hoping for a high quality, easy to maintain council home in Prestonpans."

Phil McEwan, the managing director of Ogilvie Construction Ltd said: "We're delighted to hand over these new flats to East Lothian Council - helping to provide high quality, affordable accommodation for local people. I hope residents moving into the properties will be very happy in their new homes."

The Middleshot Square development is part of East Lothian Council's commitment to deliver 1000 new council homes in five years through an ambitious £100m new build investment programme.

Councillor Currie added: "I'm pleased to see our new-build programme taking shape on the ground. For too long, we've seen properties leave our housing stock through right to buy. The resulting shortage of properties has had a long-lasting effect on the housing aspirations for people in the county. Our programme will make a huge difference to the lives of East Lothian residents struggling to access an affordable home."

(GK)