MORE than 50 houses will be built in Lochore after plans were approved yesterday (Thursday).

Councillors at the Community and Housing Services sub-committee welcomed and approved plans for three new council housing developments across Fife.

The three developments include one at New Flockhouse in Lochore - which will consist of 51 units -, as well as in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline.

Combined they will provide homes for more than 100 families.

Convener of the Council's Community and Housing Services Committee Cllr Judy Hamilton said: "I am delighted to see three new council housing developments add to the tally of new council houses that have been built across Fife over the last three years. These latest developments are part of a programme to build 3,500 new council housing across Fife by May 2022.

"I am immensely proud of what we have achieved so far and that the Council is investing over £300m in local communities.

“The new houses are highly energy efficient, meeting our design and sustainability standards making them very cost effective to run. The diverse housing mix meets the needs of local people by providing amenity bungalows and cottage flats, properties designed for wheelchairs and two, three and four bed houses. Our tenants often experience huge improvements in their quality of life when they are able to live in a home that meets their individual needs. I am absolutely committed to creating as many different types of council houses as possible providing homes that are safe, warm and secure. ”

It is anticipated that work will begin on all three sites this summer.

The Lochore site may take between two and three years to complete.

Completion of the Kirkcaldy development is expected to take 12 months while the development in Dunfermline should take about two years.

Last year members of Fife Council’s Policy and Coordination committee approved proposals in principle to bring forward a detailed programme to build more council houses between 2022 and 2024.

Referred to as a Transitional Affordable Housing programme, the development and delivery of the additional houses will maintain the supply of affordable housing after the Phase 3 programme will end in May this year.