Work begins on new housing in Avoch on the Black Isle; 46 home estate being developed by Highland Housing Alliance and Cairn Housing Association; part funded by Scottish Government, the housing associations and Inverness City Region Deal
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GROUND has officially been broken to mark the beginning of work on a substantial new residential development in the harbour village of Avoch on the Black Isle.
The 46-home site is being developed by Highland Housing Alliance (HHA), in partnership with Cairn Housing Association, and local people interested in occupying one of the new homes are being invited to get in touch.
The development will consist of a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroomed properties and include 12 mid-market rental homes for HHA and 34 allocated for social rent through Cairn Housing Association.
It is part-funded by the Scottish Government, Cairn Housing Association, HHA and City Region Deal.
HHA chief executive Gail Matheson said: “Avoch is a beautiful harbour village, and we’d expect high levels of interest from potential residents. We’d encourage people to get in touch at an early stage for more information.
“Anybody who would like to live at our development should contact our office for an application form and follow the progress of the site on our web site and Facebook page. Mid-market rent is a popular housing option available to economically active families and individuals looking to stay in a stylish, new home in the Highlands.”
Jason MacGilp, Cairn Housing Association’s chief executive, said: “It was a real pleasure to see the start of works at Memorial Field in Avoch. This is a very positive project and Cairn is delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Government, Highland Council and the Alliance.
“When completed next year, the new neighbourhood will include 34 new affordable homes for rent by Cairn. We are delighted to be leading the way in meeting local housing needs and supporting the community on the Black Isle.”
With a completion date of Spring 2021, the development marks a significant step forward in the Scottish Government’s drive to deliver upwards of 50,000 new homes by the end of 2021.
Scotland’s housing minister Kevin Stewart commented: “Residents in Avoch will gain 46 affordable, high quality new homes through the City Region Deal. It will also stimulate growth and infrastructure investment, benefitting businesses and the wider community.
“Our contribution from the City Region and Growth Deal alongside a grant of more than £4.2 million from our Affordable Housing Supply programme will strengthen this rural community and keep us on track to achieve our ambitious target of 50,000 affordable homes by the end of March 2021.”
Black Isle Ward Councillor Craig Fraser was delighted to take part in the turf cutting ceremony.
He said: “I very much welcome this new housing development on the Black isle which will provide much needed social housing, especially for local families and young people as demand for such housing is very high in our communities. The allocations policy for homes built for affordable rent recognises the needs of people who have a reason to reside in the area and I hope that people who have a housing need and reason to live there make sure that their details are updated on the Highland Housing Register.”
Building work is being carried out by WGC (Scotland) Ltd.
Anyone looking for more information on the HHA mid-market rent initiative in the Avoch development should contact Highland Housing Alliance on 01463 251133 or email info@hhahomes.co.uk
