A £25million project to build hundreds of affordable houses for a Scots community is underway.

The new homes with back and front gardens will be built to replace 23 blocks of flats at Linwood in Renfrewshire.

The scheme is a joint venture between Renfrewshire Council, Sanctuary Scotland housing association and the Scottish Government.

The council has provided 14 acres of land for the new development while Sanctuary has given £10m and the Scottish Government £14.7m.

Tenants of the 190 homes will be the former residents of the demolished council flats in Cowal Drive, Clippens Road, Erskinefauld Road, Brediland Road and people from the council house waiting list.

Some of the homes will be provided on a shared equity basis for owners of the flats awaiting demolition.

Brian Lawson, convener of Renfrewshire's housing and community safety policy board, said: "This multi-million pound partnership is delivering brand new homes for Linwood people.

"These houses are a major step forward from the flats that they replace and are a key part of our long-term strategy to regenerate Linwood."

Ken Gibb, chairman of Sanctuary Scotland, said: "We are delighted to have reached this stage in such an important project and are looking forward to working with our partners and the Linwood community to provide high-quality homes for local residents."

Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell added: "This is a significant and positive step for the regeneration of Linwood and will help make a massive difference to the area.

"Increasing the supply of housing of the right type, at the right price and in the right location is a top priority for the Scottish Government.

"These homes are another step towards our target of building over 35,000 houses a year by the middle of the next decade.

"The Scottish Government recently announced a £250m investment to help first-time buyers - one of a range of measures to increase availability of affordable homes."

The first phase of the development is expected to be finished by March next year with the rest completed by December 2010.