Work on a landmark development to reinvigorate the heart of Inverness, creating new homes and new business opportunities has begun, the Highland Council have announced.

Over the next 16 months, the derelict building at 79 Academy Street, formerly known as Farm Foods, will be demolished and the prime site transformed into an eye catching new development of homes for rent to local people and commercial units.

This project to create new affordable city centre homes has been funded by a package including money from The Highland Council, The Highland Housing Alliance (HHA), the Scottish Government and the Highland City Region Deal and represents a significant investment

23 of the 37 residential units, which will be mixture of 1 and 2 bedroom properties, will be for rent from The Highland Council and the remaining 14 will be mid market homes for the Highland Housing Alliance. The development will also include 4 small commercial units on the ground floor.

The project builds on the success of an earlier development on Academy Street headed by the Highland Housing Alliance that delivered 17 National Housing Trust mid market rent homes along with 14 rented homes for The Highland Council in 2015. The Highland Council are also nearing completion of renovating the former Citizens Advice Bureau offices which will provide a further 4 new homes.

Chief Executive of the Highland Housing Alliance, Gail Matheson said: "Redevelopment of this prominent site on Academy Street follows on from our recent success both across the road at 92-94 Academy Street and Raining's Stairs. Demand is high for good quality, well designed city centre living so it is exciting to be involved in this development. The collaborative approach to delivery involving our partners has proved to be successful, so we are delighted to be delivering this in conjunction with The Highland Council, Scottish Government and City Region Deal."

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Today (Tuesday 27 November), the Provost paid a visit to the site. During the visit it was revealed that the new name of the development will be Wyvern House in tribute to the building's history. In the 50's and 60's it was the premises of the SMT Vauxhall Garage and one of its best-selling models at the time was the Wyvern car. A Wyvern is a legendary creature with a dragon's head and wings that often appears in heraldry and features in many Celtic images.

The contractor is Morrison Construction and the work on site will be completed in early 2020.

The Provost of Inverness, Councillor Helen Carmichael is delighted that work has started. She said: "Academy Street is a historical gateway to the city centre and this project complements the work already underway to breathe new life into the area which has been crying out for regeneration and more homes. By creating quality new homes for local people in the heart of our city we will give it a vibrancy which has been missing. Good housing also contributes to stronger communities that benefit everyone living in them so this is really going to rejuvenate not just Academy Street but give a very welcomed boost to the whole of the city centre. I look forward to seeing the project progress and being back on site to welcome tenants into their new homes."

Central Ward Councillor and outgoing chair of the Inverness Townscape Heritage Project, Cllr Richard Laird said: "This project complements the regeneration work already underway on Academy Street. It is not just about restoring historic buildings and creating new homes but also about bringing investment, jobs, people and visitors to this part of the city and restoring a sense of place."

Minister for Local Government, Planning and Housing, Kevin Stewart said: "Making sure everyone has a safe, warm and affordable home is central to our drive to make the country fairer and more prosperous. I am therefore delighted that work is now beginning on these 37 new homes, which have been supported by over £1.7 million from the Scottish Government. This project will not only enhance this part of the city, by providing high quality homes but also provide business opportunities – a wider benefit for the whole area."