First-time buyers and those on council house waiting lists are among those eligible to buy new affordable housing in Fetterangus and Rosehearty.

Aberdeenshire Council is offering the two and three-bedroom homes for fixed prices in both villages in partnership with local developers.

There are two two-bedroom properties at fixed prices of £85,000 and two three-bedroom properties at fixed prices of £95,000 in Rosehearty, built by Colaren Properties.

A single two-bedroom property at a fixed price of £90,000 and a further four three-bedroom properties at a fixed prices of £110,000, built by Kirkwood Homes, are available in Fetterangus.

The properties will be ready around July and are available to those who meet the following criteria:

* First time buyers or people with a significant change in their household circumstances who earn less than a specified gross annual household income


* Are either tenants of Aberdeenshire Council or a Housing Association, or waiting list applicants

* Priority will be given to those applicants who have a local connection to the areas, for example those who live, work or have a family within the villages.

Aberdeenshire Council is able to offer these properties to successful applicants as part of the planning process, where developers are required to assist in the provision of affordable housing.

These properties are sold at a fixed discounted price by the developer to successful applicants as nominated by Aberdeenshire Council.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Social Work and Housing Committee, Gurudeo Saluja, said: “Schemes like this help the council towards providing quality low cost home ownership options for the people of Aberdeenshire.

“This is particularly important in the current climate, when it can be particularly hard for first time buyers to purchase on the open market.”

Vice chair Carl Nelson said: “I think it’s important the council provides a means of home ownership at a discount.

“This can be a vital stepping stone for those struggling to get onto the property ladder.

“It can also reduce pressure on the ever-increasing council housing waiting list and potentially free up council and housing association properties.”

For further information, or to request an application pack, please call Anna Craine on (01467) 628458, or email: anna.craine@aberdeenshire.gov.uk