Much needed boost to rural housing announced

Work is about to start on a new phase of affordable housing at Alness, as part of Albyn Housing Society’s plans to bring 750 new homes to the Highlands by 2021.

The £4.6 million Dalmore development is being delivered on behalf of the society by Compass Building and Construction Services Ltd.

It will provide a mix of 32 one, two, three and four bedroom homes for social and mid-market rent, and will be available late 2019.

Calum Macaulay, chief executive at Albyn Housing Society, said this latest phase will add significantly to the range of homes and housing options available in Alness – a rapidly growing town with significant demand for new homes.

“We very much look forward to working with Compass Building and Construction to grow and enhance the site,” he said. “These new homes are an important piece of our much larger programme of new affordable housing across the Highlands.”

To support construction costs, the society secured £2.4million in funding from the Scottish Government, and £2.2m through its private finance deal with BAE Systems Pension Funds Investment Management Ltd.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “It highlights the importance of collaboration between the Scottish Government and our housing delivery partners to ensure we are providing the right homes, in the right places, for both individuals and communities.”