The projects, to be delivered in conjunction with McTaggart Construction, will see nine flats at Ashwood Drive in Stranraer and 56 homes at Leswalt.

The start of these projects was marked by sod-cutting events that brought together members from Wheatley Homes, Dumfries and Galloway Council, McTaggart Construction, as well as local school and college representatives.

Alex Lamb, managing director at Wheatley Homes in Dumfries and Galloway, said: “These sod cuttings mark the start of work beginning at Ashwood Drive and in Leswalt.

“We are grateful to our partners at Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Government for their support in being able to deliver these much-needed homes in the west of Dumfries and Galloway. They demonstrate our commitment to investing in this part of the region and helping meet housing demand across Dumfries and Galloway.

“We look forward to working with McTaggart Construction to deliver these homes and customers being able to move into them.”

McTaggart Construction, in partnership with CEIS and Dumfries and Galloway College, is working on an innovative employability project in the Stranraer area. The project, funded by Dumfries and Galloway Works, aims to deliver comprehensive classroom-based construction training through CEIS and practical construction skills training provided by Dumfries and Galloway College. This training programme, spanning two weeks, is designed to prepare unemployed people for careers in the construction sector.

The training initiative will be further supported by valuable work experience opportunities facilitated by McTaggart Construction on their ongoing new build projects for the Wheatley Homes. Participants in the employability project will have the opportunity to gain practical experience and hands-on exposure to real construction projects, offering them a valuable foundation for future employment opportunities.

Janice Russell, managing director at McTaggart Construction, added: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Wheatley Homes on these two developments in the Dumfries and Galloway area. It was great to see the turnout at the sod cutting events, demonstrating support from so many enthusiastic local stakeholders. We’re pleased to be generating jobs for local people and working with the college to give students hands-on work experience at these important developments.”