Aberdeenshire Council has approved its new Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), setting the affordable housing priorities for the five-year period between 2026 and 2031.

The plan, endorsed by the council's Communities Committee, is designed to support the local housing strategy and address high demand.

The SHIP aims for the potential delivery of 2,291 new affordable homes across Aberdeenshire. A significant focus is placed on accessibility and specific housing needs:

• Approximately 619 of the homes are projected to be suitable for particular needs.

• 232 of those will be fully wheelchair accessible.

-- Advertisement --

The majority of the new homes delivered under the SHIP will be for social rent, with a focus on one, three, four, and five-bed properties, which are currently in high demand locally.

Committee Chair Councillor Anne Stirling described the SHIP as "ambitious and tailored to best meet demand across Aberdeenshire."

She confirmed the council will work closely with partners to deliver as many of the potential properties as possible.

The plan's full delivery is dependent on the availability of Scottish Government funding, Aberdeenshire Council's housing revenue account plan, and the business plans of registered social landlords (RSLs).

Currently, roughly three-quarters of the affordable housing development in Aberdeenshire is driven by the private development industry under the region's Local Development Plan policy.

In the past financial year, 189 properties were completed across Aberdeenshire, mostly council properties for rent. Recent completions since March include:

• 73 properties in Mintlaw.

• 26 in Peterhead.

• Smaller numbers in Kemnay and Inverurie.

Furthermore, work is ongoing for 137 rental properties, with 41 being delivered through the council's new build programme and the remainder through RSL partners.