Barratt Homes will begin work on eight new sites across Scotland worth a combined £80million, but much of the investment will go to the north- east.

Work has already started – or will soon get under way – on three developments across Aberdeen which will lead to more than 170 new homes in the city.

The developer has said it is concentrating its investment on the north-east and Edinburgh, where the housing market conditions have improved quicker than anywhere else in the country.

In Aberdeen, Barratt will begin work later this month on 62 flats costing £11million on the site of the former John R. Weir Mercedes Benz car dealership in Seaforth Road.

Work will also start at Barratt’s £13million development on Jesmond Drive in the Bridge of Don, where 82 homes are planned.

Both the Seaforth Road and Bridge of Don developments are expected to open in 2012.

Construction has already begun on the housebuilder’s £7million Willowburn development at Kingswells, where 30 houses will be built by autumn next year.

Barratt’s regional director for Scotland, Douglas McLeod, said: “We are very confident in the market in Aberdeen and the surrounding area, and although some things that affect the market are outwith our control we believe the improved conditions will continue.

“I think we are leading the way in Aberdeen, there are not many other firms building in the city just now.

“We are starting work on the ground at all these sites, and that shows our commitment to the developments and to the north-east market.”