18 flats in Coulhill area of Alness 'helping tackle acute affordable homes shortage', says Highland Council
EIGHTEEN council flats in Easter Ross have been delivered to Highland Council as part of a wider campaign to tackle the acute demand for affordable homes.
Highland Council’s Coulhill development in Alness hit a key milestone today as the local authority took possession of the properties from contractor, Compass Building and Construction Services.
The site consists of Coulhill Primary School’s former janitor’s house and the neighbouring former children’s home, which were demolished to make way for eighteen, one- and two-bedroom flats for Highland Council rent. They include two properties designed to be fully wheelchair liveable.
In addition to the new flats, the project also delivered improvements to the pedestrian link from Firhill and its surrounding landscaping, the extension and upgrade of nearby car parks and junction improvements to the school’s car park entrance.
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The development was designed in-house and funded by Highland Council and the Scottish Government’s More Homes Division. It is amongst a range of schemes being supported and delivered across the region to address the acute demand for affordable homes.
Housing and Property Committee chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said affordable and accessible housing is a key priority with the new homes making good on "a commitment to delivering affordable, sustainable and energy efficient social housing a reality" in turn allowing people the opportunity to prosper and grow and support economic growth.
Easter Ross area committee chair, Cllr Derek Louden, said: “On behalf of the Easter Ross area committee, I’d like to thank all those involved in making our aspirations to improve social housing a reality. We are incredibly proud that the new development is ready to benefit the lives and wellbeing of local people, as they start to enjoy their new homes.”
The Scottish Government’s More Homes Division boosted the delivery of the Coulhill development with a £1,593,202 grant towards the cost.
