The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Housing association looking for contractor for £50m development
Lochaber Housing Association’s “biggest project to date” could see a further multimillion-pound boost for the local area.
The company is currently looking for a contractor to build up to 400 houses in Fort William.
The major development at Upper Achintore in the town will cost around £50 million and would include a mixture of social housing, private properties and low cost initiatives for first-time buyers, LIFT.
Association chairman, Hughie Donaldson, said: “We are delighted to confirm that we have now formally advertised to attract a project delivery partner to take forward this major development at Upper Achintore, which has been long anticipated.
“We are excited to be starting this process on what will be the biggest project we have delivered in Lochaber to date.
“It is likely to have project costs of around £50 million and we hope it will deliver up to 400 houses, which are much needed in the area and will go some way to meeting the Scottish Government targets for affordable housing, while also giving
“It is likely to have project costs of around £50 million”
a significant boost to supporting the local economy both in the short and longer term.”
The company’s notice on the Public Contracts Scotland website states: “The exact mix of house types is still to be defined, but the properties will be a mixture of detached, semidetached, terraced and flatted units.
“The initial phase one proposal is for 80 units, 64 for social rent and 16 for mid-market rent. Subsequent phases will be drawn down subject to time, quality performance and funding constraints.
“It is intended to build out the entire development by 2025.”
Back in July, the association announced it would be building 200 homes in Upper Achintore after receiving a £1.2million grant from the Scottish Government, but their ambitious plan wants to double this figure.
Housing minister, Kevin Stewart, who visited Fort William to see the association’s completed developments at Raasay Court and Belhaven Drive, said: “Increasing the supply of affordable homes across Scotland is a key commitment and vital to our ambition of tackling poverty and inequality in our society.”
Contractors who wish to record their interest in the development must do so before January 22.