Figures reveal new high in Highland house building
Figures published by The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service this month have revealed an all time high during 2007 in the construction of new homes in the Highlands.
The Council’s latest Policy and Information Briefing Note on ‘House Building 2007’ states that: …in 2007 1,807 new homes were completed in the Highlands – representing a 7% increase on the 2006 figure of 1,688 new houses. This continues the trend of a rising number of house completions seen in previous years and represents a new high for the Highlands in housing construction.
In 2007 major housing completions (where 5 or more homes were built) accounted for 63% of development. The remainder of completions comprise smaller scale developments which are a vital element of the housing supply within Highland.
Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee, said: “I am delighted to see that the number of new homes being built has risen again in 2007. This is a significant contribution to achieving The Highland Council Administration’s priority of working with Scottish Government, local partners and the private sector to enable 6,000 new houses to be built over the next 4 years and also adds significantly to our aim of more affordable homes for our people.”
The top five Council Wards with the highest number of housing completions in 2007 were: Inverness South 27%; Badenoch and Strathspey 8%; Aird and Loch Ness and Inverness Central 7% respectively and Eilean a’ Cheò 5%.
Inverness South Ward saw the highest number of houses being built in any one Council Ward with 489 house completions in 2007 concentrated at Culduthel Mains Farm/Slackbuie; Wester Inshes; Milton of Leys and Woodside of Culloden.
Copies of “House Building 2007 – Policy & information Briefing Note No. 26” can be viewed on the Council’s website at http://www.www.highland.gov.uk/ or by contacting the Planning and Development Service on 01463 702278.
For further information please contact: Helen Cunningham, Planning Research Officer, Planning & Development Service, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX tel: 01463 702278