Ullapool's 'crying need' for affordable housing finds an answer as work starts on 49-home development

A WESTER Ross village "crying out" for affordable housing is set for some relief with work now under way on a new 49-home development.

Highland Housing Alliance says on-site building works have started at Glenfield in Ullapool with homes expected to be completed this winter.

Highland Housing Alliance is developing the site with Highland Council and Cairn Housing Association. Funding has come from the Scottish Government, City Region Deal and Highland Council. The properties are being constructed by Compass Building and Construction Services, who are also developing a number of homes for private sale.

The mixed development at Glenfield Park, the site of the former Glenfield Hotel, comprises 49, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for sale, mid-market rent and social rent. Six mid-market properties will be available for rent from HHA Homes; eight affordable homes will be available from Cairn and a further 20 affordable homes from Highland Council. Fifteen properties are for sale from Compass Building & Construction Services through Anderson, Shaw and Gilbert in Inverness.

HHA chief executive Gail Matheson said: “It is great to have the opportunity to develop mid market rental homes in Ullapool which will be targeted at people living and working in the area. The rents for these homes will be below current private rental levels for similar properties in the area."

Tom MacLeod, managing director of Compass Building and Construction Service, said:“Compass are delighted to be working in partnership with the Highland Council, HHA and Cairn Housing Association to deliver this much-needed mix tenure development in Ullapool. This has been an excellent example of collaborative partnership working with all involved.”Simon Campbell, property investment coordinator for Cairn Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to work with HHA, Highland Council and the Scottish Government to build new homes in Ullapool, which will be a great addition to the village. Demand for good quality, affordable social housing continues to grow and our ambitious plan to build 400 homes over the next five years will go some way to meeting that need”.

Cllr Allan Henderson, chairman of Highland Council's environment, development and infrastructure committee, said:"The village has been crying out for more affordable accommodation and this unique partnership is a great example of what can be achieved when everyone works together. We look forward to seeing tenants move in.”

The Highland Housing Alliance is a not-for-profit development company that builds private houses for sale and rent and facilitates affordable housing for families and people living in Highland communities.

For an application form for HHA Homes for mid-market rent please contact HHA Homes tel. 01463 251133 or email info@hhahomes.co.uk

For homes for social rent please contact Highland Council on 01463 886606. For affordable homes please contact Cairn Housing Association 0800 990 3405. For homes for sale, contact Anderson, Shaw and Gilbert 01463 253911.

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