Housing team that helped steer Dingwall transformation recognised for work by Highland Council

A TEAM which helped bring new homes to Dingwall town centre despite limited development opportunities as well as helping generate millions of pounds of construction work has been recognised.

Highland Council’s affordable housing supply Programme 2022/23 has delivered over 500 affordable homes across the region, the local authority says.

As well as creating new homes, the construction activity injected over £80m of work into the Highland economy, supported by almost £50m of Scottish Government grant.

The council’s approved Future Highlands-Health and Prosperity Strategic Partnership Plan recognises that access to good quality affordable homes is crucial to the growth of the Highland economy and the sustainability of communities.

The Highland Housing Register currently has around 9000 applicants making clear the substantial demand and pressure on the supply of affordable homes.

New housing can play a key part in supporting the sustainability of a community, allowing repurposing of land and derelict buildings and regeneration of town centres, to provide homes, services, and amenities.

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At Highland Council’s recent staff recognition awards, three housing teams were short listed for nominations in the Accessible and sustainable Highland homes category with the overall winner awarded to the Housing Development Team.

It has successfully completed several housing projects as part of a strategy to regenerate Highland town centres. Working together with various partners from design inception to deliver turn-key projects has created affordable homes, commercial space and importantly, restored iconic buildings and town centre frontages.

These include:

Dingwall Town Centre which has limited development opportunities have brought 76 new affordable homes to the town centre and an additional 66 new affordable homes within other developments.

Accessible Housing projects utilising FitHomes technology and Firm Foundations to deliver quality homes which, are comfortable, functional, affordable, and safe. Completed homes are designed to be flexible and easily adapted to future needs.

The former Arnotts building on Union Street in Inverness has been transformed into 53 high-quality flats, helping to address the demand for rental properties in the city, with six retail units on the ground floor.

Partnership with a private developer on Church Street retained a retail unit on the ground floor and built 10 flats on upper floors for key workers.

The redevelopment of Lochaber House has provided 15 affordable homes.

Housing and property committee chairman, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “Demand to live and develop business opportunities across the Highlands is high, yet access to affordable housing can be a stumbling block for those wishing to take up employment or to remain in the area. The Highland Council, alongside partners, will continue to work to build a portfolio of affordable housing stock.

“A key element to delivering more affordable homes is the availability of suitable land, therefore the housing development team continually use flexible and innovative ways to utilise existing structures and footprints to create affordable solutions.”

Sponsorship and support for the awards ceremony was provided by Story Contracting, Technology One, Wipro, E J Parker Technical Services, Sustrans and J. Thomson Printers.

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