Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has officially opened its first new build homes on the Island of Coll.

The two unit development comprises of a two and three bedroom family accommodation. The new homes will complement the nine existing ACHA properties on the island which were built in the 1960s.

The development was built by MacLeod Construction of Lochgilphead with funding from Scottish Government, Argyll and Bute Council and ACHA to an overall project value of £505,000.

The official opening was carried out by Councillor Robin Currie, policy lead for communities, housing, islands and Gaelic, at Argyll and Bute Council.

Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s chief executive, said: “Today is a milestone for ACHA, he first homes we have built on Coll since the stock transfer over 10 years ago. It is part of ACHA’s ongoing commitment to provide housing for our island communities. At the present time we have housing on 12 of Argyll’s islands.”

He added: “It is my hope that these homes will play a crucial part in meeting housing need on Coll and help us keep families on the island.”

Councillor Currie said: “I’m absolutely delighted to officially open two new homes on the Isle of Coll and particularly pleased as it’s a development on a small island and is hugely important to address local needs. In recent years the number of houses available for let on the Isle of Coll has been very limited, so the addition of two quality new build houses is great and make an important contribution to the general health and well-being of local residents.”

The two homes completed on Coll are part of a 122 unit programme currently on site by Argyll Community Housing Association to meet housing need throughout Argyll and Bute.