New council houses at Assynt Road, Inverness

The Provost of Inverness, Alexander Graham, Councillor Dave Fallows, Chair of Finance, Housing and Resources Committee and fellow Councillors Allan Duffy and Graham Ross welcomed tenant Colleen Stephen into her new home at Assynt Road, Inverness, marking the first new council houses to be built in Inverness for over 20 years. 

The 24 new council homes are part of a 56 house development which is built in partnership with Caledonia Housing Association, who is building an additional 22 units.  The site was previously undeveloped and overgrown and has now been regenerated to offer new homes.  The remaining ten council houses are due for completion in early 2013.

Speaking at the housewarming, Provost Graham said: “These are the first Council houses built in the Kinmylies estate for over 20 years, and they will be a fine addition to one of the most popular housing areas in Inverness.

"As well as being provided with houses built to a very high standard, these new tenants will be moving in to a thriving established community which has many amenities close at hand such as schools, shops, church, community centre and doctor’s surgery.

"There is strong demand in Inverness for affordable rented housing, and it is greatly encouraging to see first-class houses becoming available. It is heartening to see people moving into these excellent brand-new homes, and I hope there will be many more new Council houses like these in our City in years to come.”

Each of the new homes is heated with mains gas heating and is built to energy efficient building standards.  In order to sustain local wildlife, some of the houses within the development are equipped with havens for bats, hedgehogs and bees.

The Council has installed a new play park for the area and this is seen as a welcome addition to family life, encouraging healthy Highlanders.

New tenant Colleen Stephen has taken advantage of the Council’s downsizing incentive scheme and has moved from a four bedroomed property in South Kessock to her new two bedroomed home.  She said: “The property is absolutely beautiful and has been finished to a very high standard.  I am delighted with my new house, and look forward to spending Christmas here.”

The homes were built by Stewart Milne Construction, the Chartered Surveyors were Inverness based KLM Partnership and the architect was Colin Armstrong.  The cost to build these houses is £3million with £720,000 in grant monies from the Scottish Government.