Argyll and Bute Council have produced a revised Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which will see more than 900 new affordable homes developed over the next five years.

The new properties are in addition to 192 homes already completed since 2017 and the 161 that are expected to be finished by April next year.

The updated SHIP proposals were approved at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council and will now go forward to the Scottish Government for consideration, outlining the council's strategic investment in affordable homes over a five-year period, up to 2024/25.

Additional funding is required to complement the Scottish Government investment. In Argyll and Bute this includes a significant contribution from the council's Strategic Housing Fund (SHF), as well as Housing Association investment drawn from private sector borrowing.

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The Council's Policy Lead for Housing, Councillor Robin Currie, said: "We want people to see what a great place Argyll and Bute is to live and work, however, in order to do that we need to ensure we have affordable housing in place to attract and retain residents and employees for local businesses.

"Not only does the SHIP help us to achieve this, but it also has a knock on effect on our local communities. The construction of these homes generates investment in the local economy, supporting additional jobs, including apprenticeships, and provides people with high quality housing – something which has huge positive impact on the personal health and wellbeing of our residents.

"Throughout the whole process we have also worked closely with the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to ensure adequate specialist provision is included in the new build programme.

"This is an ambitious project that will have a significant impact on our communities."

(MH/JG)