The new homes, off Main Street in Old Plean, are a mix of wheelchair standard three-bedroom bungalows, as well as two, three and four-bedroom properties, and are among the most technically advanced to be constructed in the Stirling area.

They have been built by Carmichael Homes, with support by the Council’s Housing Services Built Environment team.

The properties attracted £4.2m in grant funding from the Scottish Government, with the remainder of the £6.47m cost funded from the Council’s Housing capital budget.

To assist with the move towards Net Zero, the new homes are among the most sustainable in Stirling, with heating provided by air source heat pumps, rather than gas. Each home is also equipped with solar panels and battery storage systems, enjoy Energy Performance Ratings of A to A+ and are fitted with environmental sensors and automatic fire suppression systems.

Each home also comes equipped with infrastructure for Electric Vehicle charging.

Councillor David Wilson, convener of the Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee, said: “These new homes are among the most energy efficient we’ve ever delivered and rank among the best in Scotland, with exceptional insulation and a zero emissions heating system providing high levels of sustainability.

“Not only does the design and construction benefit the environment through a reduction in carbon emissions, tenants will also get warm, comfortable homes with more economical running costs for heating and hot water.

“We have also delivered homes that meet the need for family sized accessible housing, with two wheelchair standard bungalows and six four bedroom homes, each with a bedroom on the ground floor.

“With over 3,000 households on the Council’s housing list, it is important for the council and local housing associations to continue to develop more affordable new properties to meet the needs of our communities.”

Scott Carmichael, managing director of Carmichael Homes, added: “Stirling Council has a proactive and collaborative approach to affordable housing delivery and it was a pleasure to work with their teams.

“We are particularly proud to have completed 24 new affordable homes using pioneering techniques to help tackle fuel poverty for future residents.

“Sophisticated technical solutions, such as large array PV panels, electric storage batteries, exceptional insulation and robust detailing have ensured that the new homes achieve some of the highest rated EPCs, sustainability standards and energy efficiency levels in Scotland.

“We look forward to working with Stirling Council in the future on more projects as a trusted partner.”

Residents are already settling into their new community. The Craig family needed a home with a bedroom and a walk-in shower on the ground floor and had been waiting a long time for something suitable to come up. They recently moved into their four-bedroom house and it has already made life much easier.

Dawn Craig said: “We have quickly settled into our lovely new home. We’re getting to grips with all the renewable technology which will hopefully mean the bills will be low and having a bedroom and shower room downstairs has been a game changer for me. I have so much more independence and a better quality of life already.”