The Scottish Government has awarded £1.2 million towards a new 'affordable' housing development in Fort William.

Lochaber Housing Association (HA) secured the grant to help it develop at least 200 new homes on the HA's Upper Achintore site.

Speaking during a visit to the area today, 26 July, Housing Minister Kevin Strewart said: "We recognise the challenges of developing affordable housing in rural areas, so I’m delighted that our investment will help to make affordable housing a reality at this site.

"This grant will support the delivery of at least 200 new homes in Fort William and is a great example of how partnership working can deliver a range of homes to suit the needs of the local community.

"Increasing the supply of affordable homes across Scotland is a key commitment and vital to our ambition of tackling poverty and inequality in our society."

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The grant funding supports the Government's commitment to deliver delivering 50,000 'affordable' homes, including 35,000 for social rent, by 2021.

Director of Lochaber HA Blair Allan said: "The Association has already built around fifty much needed homes for social rent at Upper Achintore in the last few years. However, this Scottish Government grant takes our potential investment in affordable housing here to a new level. Everyone knows that housing need in Fort William is intense.

"The opportunity here is that we can, in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Highland Council and others, go a significant way towards satisfying this need in the short to medium term.

"We are grateful to the Scottish Government for this support and for the confidence that it has shown in our ability to deliver."

Highlands Councillor Allan Henderson said: "This is good news for Lochaber where there has been a shortage of affordable housing. The development is especially welcome given the regeneration of the Fort William Smelter and the new job opportunities coming to the area.

"It comes on top of the recent welcome Scottish Government investment which has enabled the Council and their partners to deliver new affordable homes in Tweeddale Apartments, Raasay Court and Belhaven Drive."

(LM/MH)