Work begins to create new homes for rent in Fort William

photo of site

Work has begun to transform the site of a former medical centre in Fort William into accommodation for rent.

A partnership between Lochaber Housing Association and The Highland Council will see the site of the former Belhaven Ward, which closed its doors in 2013, redeveloped over the next 12 months to create a mixture of bungalows and 1 and 2 bedroomed flats for rent.

Five wheel-chair fully accessible bungalows will be rented to tenants by The Highland Council while the Lochaber Housing Association will rent out the 8 new flats.

The Contractor, R.E. Campbell, is now on-site carrying out groundworks with the work due to be completed by the end of June next year

The £1.6m project is being part funded by a Scottish Government Housing Grant with the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust acting as agent for both the Council and Lochaber Housing Association. .

Leader of Lochaber Area, Highland Councillor Thomas MacLennan said: “Since the Belhaven Ward closed its doors in 2013 the site has lain empty so I am delighted to see that close partnership working has led to this project getting off the ground. There is a great demand for rented housing in Fort William that meets the needs of the ageing population and people with mobility issues so I think this site with easy access to the town is ideal. I look forward to welcoming tenants to their new homes next year.”

Blair Allan, Chief Executive of Lochaber Housing Association Ltd said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Highland Council on the redevelopment of the former Belhaven Ward. It is an exciting project, being in such an important location in Fort William, and we are confident that the housing that will be provided there will be a real asset to the town and go some way to addressing the great need there is for affordable housing here.”

 

 

 

 

 

18 Jul 2016