Nine homes built on the former Taylor Foundry site in Larbert have been granted ''habitation certificates'' by Falkirk Council, clearing the way for the owners to move in.
However, another 36 properties on Burnside Court are still empty EIGHT months after being finished – and exactly when the council will allow them to be occupied remains unclear.
Work on the Walker Group development, where four-bedroomed detached homes can cost £280,000, stopped last December after contaminated materials were found.
The council refused to 'sign off' on the homes on the grounds the builders had breached planning regulations. It warned the paperwork would not be issued "until we are satisfied there is no significant risk to human health and the environment."
As part of its planning permission Falkirk Council told Walker Group that the re-use of demolition material on site was unacceptable as tests had shown it was unsuitable due to high concentrations of several contaminents.
Despite that advice the council was told the firm proceeded to use it as backfill during building. It called in the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) who highlighted the need for the contaminated material found to be removed.
A spokesman for Falkirk Council confirmed: "We have recently received additional information from Walker Group regarding the contaminated material on their site and they are now in a position to satisfy the original planning conditions for part of it.
''Three properties have now passed inspection and been issued with habitation certificates allowing the owners to move in.
''We have asked Walker Group for further information on the remaining 20 plots and understand this will be submitted in due course. It remains Falkirk Council's view this situation was avoidable had the planning conditions been met earlier by Walker Homes."
Yesterday (Wednesday) Walker Group declined to comment.
It is understood the delays forced some buyers to cancel their deals while others are thought to have been paid £2500 compensation for agreeing to a late entry date.

s.barber@falkirkherald.co.uk