Work on the first phase of a grandiose £150m council-led plan to build 1300 homes across Scotland’s capital could start within weeks.

The planning committee approved building 99 houses and apartments for sale and rent in Gracemount area of the city on Wednesday. Three tower blocks were demolished to make way for the new community scheme last Autumn.

These plans mark a major change in the city’s housing strategy for tackling the shortage of affordable housing.

Under these plans further council houses will be built in Pennywell and North Sighthill. The  affordable housing will be subsidised from the proceeds of housing for sale.

Councillor Paul Edie, Housing Convenor said, “I am really pleased to announce that we aim to build the first new council housing in Edinburgh for nearly 20 years.

“This is the first time in a generation that the Council has considered building homes which marks a major shift in strategy and defining Council housing in the 21st Century.