Housing development starts after Covid delay

Work has started on 12 new one and two-bedroom flats in the centre of Fort William.

Robertson Group will be delivering affordable homes for rent for Lochaber Housing Association at Fulton House in the town centre.

The former planning department offices of Highland Council, situated in Gordon Square, were identified as an opportunity for residential conversion by Robertson Property, which has developed a plan for the housing association leading to consent for the residential development.

The former offices will be transformed by Robertson Construction Northern to create 12 properties, comprising a mix of one and two-bedroom flats. Katherine

MacKintosh, managing director of Regeneration Robertson Property, said: ‘Fulton House has been unoccupied since 2017.

‘The building is situated in a prime town centre location which is ideal for a change of consent to residential.

‘Working on behalf of Lochaber Housing Association with Communities Housing Trust, we are delighted to have been able to obtain a change of consent and work to deliver this much-needed accommodation will start later this month.

‘Not only will Fulton House become home for 12 households, it will contribute to the on-going regeneration of the town centre.

‘We look forward to seeing the transformation at Fulton House and to continuing our on-going relationship with Lochaber Housing

Association.’ Funding for the £1.529m project is being supported by a £1.056m grant from the Scottish Government, with the balance provided through private finance with Unity Bank.

Hughie Donaldson, Lochaber Housing Association’s chairman, said: ‘Although the redevelopment of the building was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are delighted work has now started on site.

‘It’s pleasing to be involved in a project that will bring life back to a disused building and to contribute to the regeneration of the town centre as well as, of course, providing much-needed affordable housing for the town.

‘We are grateful to the Scottish Government for its financial support, without which the development would not have been possible.’

Ronnie MacRae, chief executive officer of Communities Housing Trust, added: ‘As development agents for Lochaber Housing Association, we are excited to see the start of this town centre renovation project which forms part of the association’s wider development programme.

‘This project will deliver 12 energy-efficient, comfortable homes for Fort William.

Work begins on the former Council offices at Fulton House.

‘We’re pleased to be working closely with Robertson, which has delivered an efficient process which enabled purchase and renovation works to start quickly, all with strong support from Scottish Government, and we look forward to watching the site progress.’

Robertson Construction Northern started work on the site last week, with an expected completion date of May 2021.