The Goathill project is an ambitious development bringing together on an 8 hectare plot, 74 affordable homes (including 16 for sale), 50 Housing with Extra Care flats by HHP and a 52 bed residential care home by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar. The care facilities are also being delivered in partnership with the Western Isles Integration Joint Board.

Despite the challenges of global events, O’Mac Construction Limited handed over the first phase of homes in July 2021, and now, a year later, the fourth and final phase of 24 homes has been completed.

HHP chair, Iain Macmillan said: “The completion of the affordable homes finished to a high standard of workmanship, is a significant milestone to be celebrated and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those involved particularly O’Mac Construction Limited along with the Comhairle project team, McLaughlin & Harvey Limited and The Scottish Government.

“We look forward to the official opening of the development in the new year once the Residential Care Home and the Housing with Extra Care have been completed.”

Housing secretary Shona Robison said: “It’s great to see homes complete and occupied, at this transformational development in Stornoway. Supported by over £16.8 million from Scottish Government, these homes and the wider project, will provide huge benefit to the local community and make a real and lasting difference to the lives of the residents.

“We are proud to have supported Hebridean Housing Partnership and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in this project and delighted to see these high quality, affordable homes, that meet their needs and allow people to live independently, completed.

“These homes will support our commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which at least 70% will be for social rent and 10% in remote, rural and island communities.”

The project objectives were very challenging and initially progressed at an accelerated timescale to take advantage of Scottish Government funding opportunities. Excellent partnership working between HHP, the Comhairle, Contractors and The Scottish Government enabled this key milestone to be reached with the completion of the overall project expected early in the new year. The Comhairle took the lead in the procurement of the enabling works for the overall site which greatly reduced risk in the affordable housing contract and provided an excellent opportunity for local contractors to tender for the affordable homes site.

Michael MacLennan

McLaughlin & Harvey Limited, who are also building the Residential Care Home and Housing with Extra Care flats, carried out the enabling works which comprised significant bulk earthworks, drainage, roads and utilities. They were appointed through a Comhairle led procurement strategy supported by HHP. The affordable housing site tender was then procured separately by HHP and was won by local contractor O’Mac Construction Limited.

Michael MacLennan recently moved into his new home and is delighted with it particularly how close amenities and his work. He said: “I’m really enjoying living here.

“There is so much work going on outside but it’s just so peaceful, you can’t hear anything inside. I’m so close to everything in town and my work and I also have great neighbours”.

Another tenant, Ian MacLeman, stated: “I was so chuffed with this house, it was spotless and I told the workmen what a great job they had done when I moved in.

“I didn’t take anything for granted and I’m so fortunate to have a parking space and a washing line and all these things make me realise just how lucky I am”.