Work is about to start on a new phase of affordable housing at Dalmore in Alness as part of Albyn Housing Society’s ambitious new build programme which aims to bring 750 new homes to the Highlands by 2021.

The £4.6 million Dalmore development is being delivered on behalf of the Society by Compass Building and Construction Services Ltd. It will provide a mix of 32 one, two, three and four bedroom homes for social and mid-market rent, and will be available late 2019.

Speaking of the development, Calum Macaulay, chief executive at Albyn Housing Society, said: “The Dalmore site has now been established as a thriving community with excellent access to amenities such as shops, bus links, the secondary school and the doctors’ surgery. This latest phase will add significantly to the range of homes and housing options available in Alness – a rapidly growing town with significant demand for new homes.

“We very much look forward to working with Compass Building and Construction to grow and enhance the site. These new homes are an important piece of our much larger programme of new affordable housing across the Highlands.”

Thom MacLeod, managing director at Compass, added: “We’re delighted to be starting work on this next phase at Dalmore following our recent successful completion of high quality new homes for the Society at Sellar Place in Conon Bridge.

“Affordable housing is of such vital importance to the Highland region, not just because of its role in responding to demand and helping communities remain sustainable, but because of the impact construction investment has on local jobs and skills development.”

This latest phase will build on the now growing community at Dalmore, which includes 37 existing homes for rent and low-cost home ownership, as well as the 16 recently allocated FitHomes developed in partnership NHS Highland and delivered by Carbon Dynamic.

To support construction costs, the Society secured £2.4m in funding from the Scottish Government, and £2.2m through its private finance deal with BAE Systems Pension Funds Investment Management Ltd.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “I’m really pleased to see further work begin at this award winning site. Supported by more than £2.4m of Scottish Government funding, this phase of the development will provide a real mix of high quality, affordable new homes for rent. It highlights the importance of collaboration between the Scottish Government and our housing delivery partners to ensure we are providing the right homes, in the right places, for both individuals and communities.”