Work gets under way on 110 new homes in Aviemore
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Work has just got under way on one of the largest housing developments in decades in Badenoch and Strathspey.
Preparations have started for the building of 110 open market homes at the Pony Field in Aviemore by Inverness-based Tulloch Homes.
It is part of more than 200 new homes which are planned to be constructed in Badenoch and Strathspey by the region's largest housebuilder from this year.
The developments at Aviemore, Newtonmore and Carrbridge represent a record Tulloch investment in the strath in excess of £45 million.
Plans for housing at Byack Mor – known locally as the Pony Field – off Santa Claus Drive in Aviemore have been in the pipeline for many years, with the Aviemore Highland Resort first gaining permission for the site before selling on the land.
Billy McKay, Tulloch Homes construction director, revealed to the Strathy earlier this year that after extended legal negotiations and delays caused by Covid-19 and lockdown, the way was now clear for house-building to commence.
He said the first occupancies are scheduled for later in the year.
He told the Strathy. “There are 110 homes scheduled in the development, with the first phase comprising blocks of two bedroom flats, which research shows are much needed in Aviemore.
“We’ll then move on to detached and semi-detached properties, introducing totally new designs to the North market.
“This is our first Aviemore venture since the hugely popular High Burnside 16 years ago.
“This new location is close to the shops and facilities of the village centre and should be similarly successful.
“We’ll soon be accepting indications of interest in order to keep prospective home buyers informed with first news of prices and home types.”
The Pony Field is the largest remaining expanse of open ground for development within Aviemore and is popular with dog walkers but has long been zoned for housing.
The nearby woods are also used by tots and children on visits from Aviemore Primary School and Nursery for creative outdoor play, and a group was there this morning.
There has been disappointment on local social media off the loss of the amenity land and claims that most of the properties will be snapped up by holiday home owners.
Twenty-five per cent of the homes are affordable homes which have already been built adjacent to the site.
The quota was recently increased to 45 per cent for housing developments in Aviemore by the Cairngorms National Park Authority's planning committee but consent for the Pony Field homes were given long before this move.
Tulloch Homes' website does not yet have details of the new homes, stating: "Sorry, there are currently no homes available at this development."
The Strathy has contacted Tulloch Homes for an update on their timetable for the development and pricing.
A long time coming... background to the housing site
Highland Council granted outline planning permission - what would now be called planning permission in principle - for a masterplan covering the whole Macdonald resort site and land on September 26, 2003, that included the 140 houses on the Pony Field site.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority granted the reserved matters consent that confirmed the detail of the 140 houses on March 4, 2008, after a legal agreement for that site and the wider Macdonald site was signed.
The consent was implemented by the construction of the affordable housing at Bynack More, opposite the new retail park. Once implemented the consent remains in perpetuity.
A total of 33 affordable units were eventually built rather than 30 homes meaning the total development is 143 homes.
The landowner did not pursue further development of the site but Tulloch Homes have now bought the land from and will complete the development.
New affordable housing rule comes into force in Aviemore
