The first new council houses to be built in Inverness for over 20 years have been launched.

The Provost of Inverness, Alexander Graham, Councillor Dave Fallows, Chair of Finance, Housing and Resources Committee and fellow Councillors Allan Duffy and Graham Ross opened the development by welcoming tenant Colleen Stephen into her new home at Assynt Road, Inverness.

The 24 council homes are part of a 56-house development in partnership with Caledonia Housing Association. Caledonia is building an additional 22 units.

The undeveloped and overgrown site was regenerated to make way for the new homes, with the remaining ten council houses due for completion in early 2013.

-- Advertisement --

The homes all have mains gas heating and are built to energy efficient building standards.

Some of the houses are equipped with havens for bats, hedgehogs and bees.

A new play park has also been installed.

The homes were built by Stewart Milne Construction and designed by Archial, while the Chartered Surveyors were Inverness based KLM Partnership.

£720,000 of the £3m cost was put up in grant monies by the Scottish Government.

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."

(IT)