A social enterprise has revealed plans to build a new community for homeless people in Edinburgh.

Social Bite will build ten eco-friendly houses on a gap site in Granton in the north of the city to help end "the vicious cycle of homelessness".

The firm has teamed up with EDI Group and Edinburgh City Council for the project, which aims to provide a safe home for up to 20 homeless people for a year each.

Work is expected to begin in early 2017 and the first residents will move in by the summer.

The social enterprise will work with the council and other homelessness charities to identify suitable residents for the Social Bite Village.

People with serious addiction problems will not be eligible.

The residents will be given the chance to learn new skills and get their lives back on track.

After their year-long stay, they will be given support to make the transition into permanent accommodation.

Social Bite, which employs former homeless people at its cafes and new restaurant Home, will offer employment opportunities to the former residents.

The "nest houses" will be transportable in case they need to be relocated to another site.

It is hoped the project will save the council almost £200,000 a year by reducing temporary accommodation costs.

Business leaders from across Scotland will take part in a CEO sleep-out in Edinburgh on December 15 to help raise £500,000 to build the village.

Social Bite founder Josh Littlejohn, who last week hosted Leonardo DiCaprio at Home, said: "The Social Bite Village plan hopes to create a full circle solution to the issue of homelessness - from housing to support to employment.

"In doing so we hope to alter the course of some of Scotland's most vulnerable people for the better - swapping a destiny of poverty and exclusion for one of compassionate support and inclusion.

"I'm not for a minute saying that Social Bite alone will eradicate homelessness or anywhere close to that. But we can create a blueprint."

The structures will be based on the highly-insulated modular Nest House developed by Jonathan Avery and his Linlithgow company Tiny House Scotland.

Charities The Cyrenians and Streetwork will support the project.

Councillor Gavin Barrie, chairman of the EDI Group, said a neighbouring walled garden would be well used in the project.

He said: "The recent decision to retain the walled garden for the purpose of a community garden, was the result of working closely with the local community to find the best long-term use for the garden and one that fitted with our own aspirations for Granton.

"By continuing to work with the local community and with Social Bite, we can achieve both."

Health, social care and housing committee vice-convener Joan Griffiths said: "Tackling homelessness remains a priority for the council and we work closely with our third sector partners to provide services for people who are homeless."

Local MSP Ben Macpherson said: "I am delighted that it will be based in Granton, making a positive impact locally and providing comprehensive support for around 20 of the city's most vulnerable citizens.

"I've been assisting Josh Littlejohn with the village project for a few months now and it's great to see it really moving forward."