Parklands Care Homes is to develop new homes for its staff and other key workers as part of a multi-million pound investment in Inverness.

Parklands began work on the first phase of a £10 million integrated care hub at Milton of Leys in Inverness in December, a 58 bed care home due to open in 2023.

A second phase, a later living village comprising 11 two bedroom bungalows for sale, will follow. The later living village is intended to act as a bridge between independent living and the traditional care home model, with residents enjoying access to shared services and social activities with the care home, while leading otherwise independent lives.

-- Advertisement --

In the meantime, Parklands has submitted plans for 24 affordable homes on a nearby site. The proposed £4.5 million Leys Square development will consist of 12 two bedroom apartments alongside 12 two bed cottage flats.

Priority will be given to Parklands employees however, if there is spare capacity, the accommodation could be offered to other health and social care workers in the local community.

A planning statement by Parklands cites the "lack of quality rental accommodation offered and available at affordable rents for those seeking employment within the care sector".

It added: "The proposal provides essential key worker accommodation associated with healthcare in the community and thus supports the national and indeed local strategy to support an ageing population.

"Good quality accommodation at affordable rents for both staff and indeed the wider care and key worker sector is often overlooked through current provision."