Muir of Ord tenants welcomed into their new home
Two bungalows and four flats in Curling Court, Muir of Ord are the latest to be completed by The Highland Council as part of a 257 Highland-wide project supported by the Scottish Government.
The homes are designed to be energy efficient; exceeding the current energy ratings set by Building Standards, benefitting from air source heat pumps and are finished with low maintenance materials. The homes have been built to housing for varying needs; both bungalows are built to wheelchair user specification and the ground floor flats have been equipped with level access showers.
They have all been rented to tenants who are either existing council tenants who are transferring to a new home or are applicants from the Highland Housing Register. Ownership and management of the six units will remain in council hands. To further assist the Council with its Administration target to reduce carbon emissions, the development contains a bike storage area.
Local Councillors Alister Mackinnon, Angela Maclean, and Margaret Paterson went along to welcome tenants William (Bill) and Elizabeth Nicol to their new home.
Elizabeth said: “We are so pleased with our new home which is much easier for Bill and I to manage in than our previous house in Tain, now that my mobility problems are getting worse. It’s also good to be nearer the shops and other facilities in Muir of Ord and Bill has a shorter journey to work in Inverness so he is nearer if I need help at any time”.
Chair of Finance, Housing and Resources Committee Councilor Fallows said: “The Council welcomes Mr and Mrs Nicol and all the tenants to their new homes at Curling Court. We know how difficult it can be to find affordable housing and these properties are a welcome addition to the Council’s house building programme. I am especially pleased to hear that these homes are equipped to deal with a variety of mobility needs which will enable greater independence for Highland’s communities, as it enables tenants to live within their own home comforts and I am sure that Mr and Mrs Nicol agree.”
Curling Court has been developed next to the existing outdoor curling rink which is still in use (weather permitting) and was built on the Council’s former depot, thus regenerating the area to offer much needed housing. The total cost of building these homes was £660,000 with £180,000 contribution of grant monies received from the Scottish Government.
Local company Compass Building and Construction was contracted for architectural and building services.