More details revealed on new Tulloch Homes development at Pony Field in Aviemore
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Tulloch Homes chiefs have said work will begin in earnest next month on their first Aviemore development for 17 years.
A total of 110 open market homes will be built at the Pony Field by the Inverness-based firm.
The development, near to the village’s retail park, has been in the planning pipeline since September 2003.
The estate will be called Bynack More – a name suggested by the village’s community council – after the 3576-feet high prominent Munro in the Cairngorms.
The site has just been transferred to Tulloch ownership following the successful completion of legal negotiations.
Billy McKay, construction director of Tulloch Homes, told the Strathy: “It has taken a while due to Covid-19 and legalities, but the land is now fully acquired and we can get cracking.
“We’ve engaged Aviemore builders Allan Munro Construction to erect perimeter fencing and undertake the site preparation works.
“We will be using local skills where available as the project rolls out.
“Our design team has come up with new house styles targeted at the Spey Valley market – and our significant investment will provide local jobs and benefit local suppliers for a number of years.
“Zander Sutherland, a national award-winning site manager, will lead our construction team, with the first homes due for completion next spring.”
He added: “This is our first initiative in the area since the highly successful High Burnside development. The Aviemore market is buoyant just now, and there’s already strong interest registered in the new development.
“The various Gaelic translations of Bynack More range from ‘the cap’ to ‘big little mountain’ and even ‘chimney pot’.
“The name is very much part of local tradition and it will gain a modern emphasis in our project.”
Peter Long, chairman of Aviemore Community Council, who were consulted on the title, said: “People will be able to look out their front windows and see Bynack More, so our view is that it’s a very suitable name.
“While there will naturally be regret at the loss of open space, there is a really strong and urgent need for housing for local people in the village, and this development is extremely welcome for its ability to address that demand.”
A total of 33 affordable homes have already been built as the affordable housing element meaning the total development will be 143 homes.
Highland Council granted outline planning permission more than 17 years ago for a masterplan covering the whole Macdonald resort site including housing at the Pony Field. But it is the largest remaining expanse of open ground within Aviemore and popular with dog walkers.
The nearby woods are also used by Aviemore Primary School and Nursery for creative outdoor play.
There has been some disappointment on local social media over the loss of the land and claims most properties will be snapped up by holiday home owners.
A Tulloch Homes spokesman told the Strathy: “The first phase will be 10 one and two-bedroom two-storey flats, for which there is high demand locally, and 15 houses, comprising two-bedroom bungalows and three-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes.
“There will be four-bedroom homes later in the development.”
He said property prices will be released at the turn of the year.
Tulloch Homes have won National House Builders Council awards three years in succession and in four of the past five years.
