Raploch is undergoing a 10-year regeneration project

R3, a consortium of builders, has been chosen as the developer, allowing work on 900 news homes in the area to begin.

During a visit to the area on Monday, Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty welcomed the move.

He also revealed �10.8m of Scottish Executive funding and the approval of the business plan for the Raploch Urban Regeneration Programme (URC).

Mr McNulty further announced approval of Communities Scotland's funding for the first batch of 50 socially rented homes in Raploch, with work due to begin in the summer.

'Strong community'

He said: "Raploch has reached this significant milestone on what has already been a long journey to regeneration.

"The people of Raploch have already shown the rest of Scotland how a strong community can turn itself around on every level."

Mr McNulty added: "This is the point where we can start to see the results of their work as the new Raploch takes shape."

He said that the social housing element of the plan for Raploch was key to the success of the development.

Health campus

News of the appointment of R3, a consortium of Cruden Homes (East) Ltd and George Wimpey East Scotland Ltd, follows a two-year selection process which saw representatives from the community being involved in the bidding process.

Under the banner "R3 Raploch, Reinvented, Regenerated", the developer expects to start building work on the first phase of the 650 private and 250 socially rented houses in August.

The 10-year project to regenerate Raploch involves building a health campus and 900 homes, as well as creating a community and educational campus with two primary schools, a family centre, nursery, community centre and sports facilities.