Councillors have given the green light to build 71 houses for social rent in the Gallowhill area of Paisley.

Sanctuary Scotland, which is behind the plan, say it will provide much-needed, affordable housing for dozens of families.

The £7.3 million development of 71 two-storey homes built to the north and south of Dundonald Road will be a mixture of two, three, four and five-bedroom properties.

The work will be part-funded by a £2.8m grant from the Scottish Government's Innovation and Investment Fund.

Gordon Laurie, Sanctuary Scotland director, said: "We are delighted Renfrewshire Council has approved our planning application .

"These much-needed new properties will give local families the chance to rent spacious homes designed to meet their needs."

Last year a £26m, 200-home Sanctuary Scotland development in Linwood, Renfrewshire, was voted Scotland's best regeneration project.

Mr Laurie added: "The Gallowhill development is yet another example of Sanctuary Scotland working with the local authority, the Scottish Government and like-minded partners to help to address local housing shortages.

"These homes will follow our other work in Renfrewshire, including our ongoing regeneration of Shortroods and our regeneration of Linwood.

"We look forward to getting started on site in the coming months."

The work should be completed by September 2013.

Local Councillor Cathy McEwan said: "This is great news for Gallowhill and I look forward to these new houses being built.

"As the local SNP councillor I am pleased to see this planning application approved, as it will bring much needed new housing to Gallowhill, helping to regenerate the whole area."