New affordable housing opens in Carrbridge on site of Scotland’s first ever ski hotel
Badly needed affordable housing which Carrbridge is ‘crying out for’ is now complete and ready for tenants.
Highland Council has built 10 new affordable one and two bed flats for social rent on the site of the former Struan Hotel - regarded as Scotland’s first ever ski hotel.
It marks a happy ending after nearly two decades of wrangle over the site during which the ex-hotel became a long-standing eyesore and safety hazard in the village.
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The development will bring much needed homes to an area with demand for this size of property.
The build by Inverness-based Compass Building and Construction Services has eight - one bed flats, and two- two bed flats built for rent.
The project was supported by £1,467,884.53 from the Scottish Government’s More Homes Division.
Highland Council convener and local member Bill Lobban said: “Badenoch and Strathspey has been crying out for this type of one and two bed properties, and I would like to say how delighted I am that these new homes will soon be filled by new tenants.
“The Scottish Government’s More Homes Division funding has helped the council to commit to the delivery of new affordable homes for rent or low-cost home ownership and mid-market rent.
“Building new houses not only fills an important gap in the market but also boosts the construction industry and creates wider circular economic benefits over the longer term.
“Struan Court is an example of the importance of regenerating derelict areas and for many long years top of the Carrbridge wish list has been redevelopment of the derelict Struan Hotel whom the development is named after.
“Whilst this new development is a great example of cooperation between the Scottish Government and Highland Council it would not have happened without the wholehearted support of the community and especially Carrbridge and Vicinity Community Council.”
Councilor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, the council’s housing and property committee chairwoman, said: “As part of the Highland Housing Challenge, the council is committed to improving the housing stock across the Highlands and this development not only provides much needed new homes but it has also regenerated a derelict site.
“The completion of Struan Court development marks the continued regeneration of the area and adds to the social housing stock at the nearby Carr Road Tulloch Homes Pinefield development.
“I wish the new tenants every happiness in their new home and thank all involved in making this development come to fruition.”
The Highland’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) sets out proposals for affordable housing investment during 2023-2028.
The council has said completion of the Carrbridge development reaffirming the commitment to deliver an average of 500 new affordable homes per annum.
Approximately 70 per cent of these will be for affordable rent and 30 per cent for intermediate affordable housing such as low cost home ownership or midmarket rent which is in line with the overall Scottish Government targets.
The Struan House Hotel was originally opened by Karl Fuchs, a member of the 1948 Austrian Olympic team, and his wife, Eileen, in the mid 1950s.
It was a vibrant venue in the village for very many years and instrumental in helping to put the Cairngorms on the map as a ski destination in the early days of the sport in Scotland.
The hotel was eventually levelled after more than 16 years of deadlock during which the derelict building had become an eyesore opposite the popular Landmark Forest Adventure Park.
Highland Council eventually had to complete a compulsory purchase order to acquired the hotel from the previous owners.
