The first Development Matters of 2009 sees the provision of much needed affordable housing in the Badenoch and Strathspey area. Working in partnership with the Highland Council, the Scottish Government and the Forestry Commission, Albyn Housing Society has developed a site at Glenmore in the Cairngorms National Park into two new homes for rent. The photos on this page show the houses nearing completion.
The Highland Housing Strategy has identified many rural settlements as high priority for new housing. However, the cost of developing in such locations has risen dramatically in recent years making development more challenging within the current cost limits which are set by the Scottish Government.
The two sustainable timber houses at Glenmore have been designed to make maximum uses of Scottish timber and incorporate ecological features such as high level insulation, multi-fuel stove heating, and rainwater harvesting.
In accordance with the Council’s affordable housing policy Albyn Housing Society has also developed proposals for additional affordable housing in Kinlochewe, Shieldaig, Kishorn and Torridon in Wester Ross, as well as in Glenmore. These proposals will provide a total of 19 houses.
The Council currently receives over £2million per annum through Council Tax revenue from second and holiday homes and these funds are used to supplement the Landbank Fund, thereby enabling strategic sites to be
secured and developed for housing provision.