Thousands of new homes are set to be built across the Highlands after the council approved its Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) on Wednesday, 08 November.

The five-year plan sets out how investment in 'affordable' housing will be directed up until 2023, with 2,500 new homes built by 2020 and another 500 per year after that.

Funding for the programme will be provided from the City Region Deal, as well as prudential borrowing and grants from the Scottish Government.

Since 2008/09, more than 1,000 council houses and flats have been completed or are under development in the region.

-- Advertisement --

Cllr Allan Henderson said: "Not only is this investment helping to support jobs in the building industry, but it is also providing people and families with access to good quality, affordable homes where they can be safe and warm.

“Housing is and will remain a priority for the Council. There is no doubt that it is a very ambitious goal but I am confident that over the next five years we will reach the target thanks to the effective and productive partnership approach we have developed with the Scottish Government, Housing Associations and the private sector.

"In our wider enabling role, we will continue to work to bringing forward sites we own for re-development and work with the private sector to unlock the constraints for other strategic sites throughout the Highlands, using or own Landbank Fund, the Scottish Government Infrastructure Loan Fund and any other opportunities that become available."

(LM)