Argyll and Bute Council is planning to build hundreds of new affordable homes over the next five years.

The local authority has put forward proposals to the Scottish Government to develop up to 650 more houses as part of the Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP).

To date, 554 affordable homes have already been developed in the region over the last five years, exceeding the original Local Housing Strategy target of 550 units by 2016.

The current Argyll and Bute SHIP runs from 2015 until 2020 and was approved in November 2014. All local authorities are required to submit updated SHIPs every two years. The most recent plan was approved by the council last month and will now go forward to the Scottish Government for consideration.

​Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for strategic housing, Councillor Robin Currie, said: “This is a very exciting time for housing in Argyll and Bute. With 554 new affordable homes having already been created, and plans for up to another 650, this will go a long way to addressing the housing shortage.

“The creation of additional housing will also help with employment, particularly jobs in the construction sector; it will create a more effective operation of the local housing system; contribute to improving general health and wellbeing; and stimulate community regeneration and sustainability.

“The average house in Argyll and Bute costs £146,000. Not everyone can afford this so, by creating more affordable housing it will attract and retain residents and employees for local businesses, in line with the overarching goals of the council’s Single Outcome Agreement.”