Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead marked the start of an innovative new partnership project in Aberdeen on Monday with a naming ceremony for a new build at Old Torry.

The name Inverdee (coming from the Gaelic "the meeting of the waters") was chosen as a simple reminder that three environment organisations will be coming together, at the mouth of the Dee, in one building.

The project, coordinated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), is a joint initiative between SEPA and Grampian Housing Association (GHA), and will see the creation of new office accommodation and housing respectively.

This exciting development will play a significant part in the regeneration of the Aberdeen harbour area and will see a new office and laboratory facilities, replacing SEPA's existing buildings, which are no longer fit for purpose, the building of 46 homes, a mix of 34 houses and flats for rent and 12 flats for low cost home ownership by Grampian Housing Association with funding from the Scottish Government.

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Office accommodation will be shared between SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

David Sigsworth, SEPA's Chairman, said: "This building will provide SEPA and its partners with a suitable and flexible base in north east Scotland, an essential contribution to effective environmental protection services.

"As you would expect from Scotland's environment watchdog, this new building design incorporates the best possible environmental standards. It will be built on a brownfield site, using solar panels, rainwater harvesting, a biomass boiler and employing highly sustainable building materials. Shared accommodation with SNH and JNCC also reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver a one-door, any door approach, providing a cost-efficient service to the taxpayer, and helping us develop closer working relationships with our partners in the public sector."

Alan Moat, chief executive of Grampian Housing Association added: "All communities need jobs and housing and this is what we have jointly achieved here today. We are transforming this part of Torry by building modern, quality, affordable homes which will go some way towards meeting the housing needs of families."

(GK/JM)