THE first phase of a ‘highly-anticipated’ housing development in the Balloch area of Inverness has been completed by local contractor IBI Joiners Ltd.
The development is part of a joint initiative between Highland Housing Alliance (HHA) and The Highland Council to expand access to affordable housing across the region.
Offering a mix of homes for mid-market rent and low-cost home ownership, the site supports the council’s commitment to meeting diverse housing needs – with HHA taking ownership of 12 properties and the local authority 33.
The two and three-bedroom homes will be offered at mid-market rent, with rental rates positioned between social housing and open market rents. The tenure is designed to support those who may not qualify for social housing but are priced out of the private rental sector.
Meanwhile, the Highland Council properties consist of four two-bedroom wheelchair accessible bungalows, 13 family homes ranging from two to four-bedrooms, and 16 one- and two-bedroom cottage flats.
The eight flats on the ground floor have all been designed to be wheelchair accessible. A further four semi-detached three-bedroom family properties are offered for sale via Scottish Government’s LIFT Low Cost Home Ownership Scheme, administrated on the council’s behalf by Highland Residential.
All homes have been built to a high specification with modern fixtures and fittings. Each home benefits from private garden space and external power points should an EV Charger be required. The development is set within landscaped grounds incorporating improved access into the Community Woodland to the north of the site, further enhancing the sense of place and community.
Gail Matheson, chief executive at HHA, said, “The delivery of these new homes in Balloch marks an important milestone in our mission to provide more high-quality housing across the Highlands. Our strong and long-standing partnership with The Highland Council plays a key role in making this possible, helping us to deliver a diverse range of housing that reflects the needs of different age groups, income levels, and family situations across the region.”
Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, the Highland Council’s housing and property committee chair, added, “I am delighted that Highland Council, working in partnership with Highland Housing Alliance and Highland-based builders and contractors, has successfully delivered the first phase of this much-anticipated housing development in Balloch.
“The new properties are located in a sought-after area of Inverness and provide a welcome addition to the council’s commitments to provide sustainable and energy efficient affordable social rental homes. Equally, the diverse range of property types and sizes included within the development makes these homes suitable for those with additional accessibility needs, in addition to families and individuals.
“The Highland Council, as part of its commitment to meeting the Highland housing challenge, will continue to work collaboratively alongside partners to build a portfolio of housing stock to enable people to have viable options available to them.”
