THE construction of a £2.3 million housing development in Lairg in the Highlands has been completed.
Representing the first new social housing in the village since the 1990s, Albyn Housing Society delivered the development of eight new specialist dwellings with Compass Building & Construction Services as the main contractor.
The new housing comprises four two-bedroom wheelchair accessible bungalows and four one-bedroom fit homes with views of Loch Shin. Some tenants were able to move in two months early, due to Compass completing the works ahead of schedule.
The homes utilise predictive behaviour pattern sensors and harness artificial intelligence and machine learning. The sensors share real-time information with family members, caregivers, or key workers who have access permission. Unlike cameras, they offer a high degree of privacy to their occupants, the housing society explained.
The technology allows tenants to be able to live independently in their own home for longer – relieving the strain on social care, which is often lacking, especially in rural areas like the Highlands, the housing society added.
The development is on derelict land which has lain empty since the demolition of the Sutherland Arms in 2007. The land has been donated by the local community group, Lairg community development initiatives (LCDI).
Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said, “A lack of social care provision is an issue right across the country, but this is especially acute in the Highlands because of demographic changes and fewer social care workers. Our Fit homes mean residents can live in their own home, independently, for longer and often helps them remain in their local community too. This is such a help in rural areas like Lairg where alternative social care provision can be very far away.
“We have surpassed our promise made as part of the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal by delivering 33 Fit Homes, mobilising a total investment of £6.9 million, which includes £3.0 million directly from the City Region Deal.
“The incredible partnership in Lairg between the local community who donated the land, Compass who did such a fantastic job ahead of schedule, our funders, and Albyn’s Fit homes technology, has delivered a brilliant asset for the village and those living there. This achievement not only grants independence to our tenants but also offers their families peace of mind.”
“Our development is the first social homes to be built in the area in almost 30 years which will mean fewer people are forced to move away for adequate housing. Continuing to invest in housing in very rural areas remains a top priority for Albyn.”
