More than 60 new homes are to be developed in the Highlands thanks to funding from the multi-million pound City-Region Deal.

A total of 61 'affordable' units will be developed by Albyn Housing Society and Highland Housing Alliance in Ullapool, Fort William, Alness, Inverness, Aviemore, Grantown, Drumnadrochit and Newtonmore. Work on all the homes is expected to be finished by the end of next year.

The initiative includes; eight units in Alness, four in Aviemore, 25 in Inverness, six in Fort William, eight in Grantown, four in Newtonmore, five in Drumnadrochit and six in Ullapool.

The projects follow on from five homes already being developed in Drumnadrochit which are also funded by the Highland city-region deal. The units form the first phase of an overall wider housing development which includes 23 homes for social rent, including community care housing), and four for low cost home ownership.

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Each new home will be aimed towards young people working in the area and be let at mid-market rates - approximately 80% of the average rate charged by private landlords in the area. Those being developed by Albyn Housing Society will be leased by its subsidiary, Highland Residential, which specialises in providing mid-market tenancies.

Welcoming the news, Cllr Allan Henderson said: "This is good news for these communities and highlights our commitment of using funding from the city region deal to offer young people attractive, affordable housing in the Highlands to enable them to stay in the region, retaining a young, vibrant workforce for the Highlands.

"I am pleased to say that further projects in other areas of the Highlands are currently being worked up and we and our partners are on target to deliver 750 new mid-market homes over the next 10 year period."

Gail Matheson, Chief Executive of Highland Housing Alliance, said: "We are delighted to be working with our partners in delivering much needed mid-market rental homes in many areas across Highland. Demand is high and we will be able to offer homes to young people and families to ensure that they are able to stay in their local community."

(LM)