The Highland Council has confirmed more council houses are to be built following a meeting of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday.

The Committee has agreed to amend a programme of new build housing in the area which will now see an increase in the number of council homes being constructed.

The number of properties to be built will increase to 512, the local authority has said.

It is understood that the Committee has also approved plans for the Council to acquire a site at 92/94 Academy Street, Inverness. The proposals include 14 units available for affordable rent and 17 units to be developed by the Highland Housing Alliance.

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Commenting on the news, Chairman of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Thomas Prag, said: "Opening up and developing the key site on Academy Street is good news and gives our campaign to really boost and regenerate this area of Inverness a flying start with 31 new homes in the middle of the city.

"Within our Programme we have given the commitment to work with the Scottish Government, Housing Associations and the private sector to help deliver 5,000 new homes by 2017 which will include at least 688 Council houses and other affordable homes so with news of Academy Street and the extra council houses that will be built this year, we are well on target to reach this ambitious goal."

(JP/IT)