Council housing is making a comeback in Carrbridge
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Highland Council has said much needed affordable housing and mid-market properties in Carrbridge will help tackle the chronic shortage of homes for local workers which is hampering the local economy from growing.
The local authority currently has two key housing developments under construction in the village.
A new housing development on the site of the former Struan Hotel has now been prepared and works to build council rental properties has begun.
An official turf-cutting ceremony was held on Monday and attended by local Highland councillors to highlight the progress being made in supplying council homes.
The local authority has restarted building its own housing stock once again after many years of housing associations taking the lead.
The project has been awarded to Inverness-based Compass Building and Construction Services and will see 10 one and two bed flats built for council rent.
The development is scheduled to be complete around October, next year, and is supported by £560,000 from the Scottish Government’s More Homes Division.
Nearby, the Carr Road – a Tulloch Homes development which will be called ‘Pinefield’ – will see a mixed tenure of properties available for private sale, council rent and mid-market rental in partnership with the Highland Housing Alliance (HHA) a not-for-profit developer.
The mid-market-rental (MMR) properties will be managed by HHA who will secure tenants and manage the lettings process and leasing.
The development comprises of four cottage apartments and two, three bed semi-detached homes.
In addition, the local authority announced on Monday that a further seven properties at the ‘Pinefield’ development have been agreed will bring the total houses for council rent to 12.
They will comprise two two-bed bungalows, two three-bed bungalows, six two-bed villas, one three-bed villa and one five-bed villa.
Completion is due around next March and is being supported by £1,455,305.00 from the Scottish Government’s More Homes Division and The Inverness and Highland City Region deal.
Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, chairwoman of the council's housing and property committee, said: “Affordable and accessible housing is a key priority in the council’s programme and the two Carrbridge developments are a prime example of how we can reinvigorate and make positive changes to increase the much needed housing stock in the Badenoch and Strathspey area.
"To re-purpose the site of the old Struan Hotel to offer council rent housing and to work in partnership with housing associations and commercial property developers to offer affordable social rent and mid-market properties demonstrates the integrated and inclusive communities that will be of huge benefit to the Highlands.
“Demand to live and develop business opportunities in the Highlands is high, yet suitable housing can inhibit the growth potential for those wishing to take up employment or to remain in the area.
"Highland Council, alongside our partners will continue to work to build a portfolio of housing stock to enable people to have viable options available to them.”
Local Highland councillor Bill Lobban, said: “Highland Council, working in partnership with HHA and Highland-based housebuilders, is creating much needed housing options in the key locations where availability of affordable and mid-market properties is a real issue.
"Despite a buoyant economy and tourism market in the area, retention and recruitment of staff is a problem due to a lack of suitable housing and developments such as this will have a positive impact.
“We look forward with optimism to see the developments complete and for the opportunities, and vibrancy that these new homes will offer.”
Scottish Government’s More Homes Division offers financial support to enable the council to commit to the delivery of an average of 660 new affordable homes per annum.
Approximately 70 per cent of these will be for affordable rent and 30 per cent for intermediate affordable housing (low-cost home ownership or mid-market rent), in line with the overall Scottish Government targets.
The Inverness and Highland City Region deal is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
