A NEW housing development will soon be taking shape in Houston.

Work on a total of 57 properties at the CALA Homes development to the east of B-listed Woodend House is expected to get underway within weeks.

The majority of the homes will be four and five-bedroom detached properties but there will also be 14 two-bedroom, cottage-style apartments for social rent.

Planning permission was granted by Renfrewshire Council last year, despite dozens of objections.

Some villagers raised concerns that the new homes will cause serious road congestion, while others highlighted fears over the site being located within the greenbelt.

However, developers have pledged to retain some of the “existing scenic woodland” and use “thoughtful landscaping” to enhance and protect wildlife habitats there.

CALA also said it will promote active travel through the development of several footpath links and cycle lanes, as well as a pedestrian crossing with an island on the B790 road.

Carolynne Penman, development manager at CALA Homes (West), told The Gazette: “Houston is a unique and vibrant community which we strive to complement and enhance with our development, so it’s great to achieve this site acquisition milestone.

“Having completed the purchase of the site, there will be a focus on early enabling works and welfare set-up to allow for a construction site start in early 2022.

“As the development progresses, we will continue to engage with the local community, supporting positive community-led initiatives and understanding what matters most.”

CALA aim to have the first residents on-site later this year or early next year.

It is anticipated the development will take three to four years to be fully completed.