The work marks the first major project to be taken forward by the Moray Integration Joint Board (IJB) which has responsibility for bringing together a wide range of health and social care functions for adults.

Vice-chair Christine Lester was joined by colleagues, staff and the families of the prospective tenants at the Lhanbryde site to mark the start of work.

The development of 10 purpose-built bungalows on a site off Garmouth Road will provide permanent homes and respite accommodation for adults with autism and communication difficulties.

It will replace the existing residential facility Maybank in Forres, a converted Victorian house which has become an increasingly unsuitable environment for those who live and work there.

The four current Maybank residents will be among the seven new tenants moving in to the Lhanbryde development, named Urquhart Place by local councillors.

One house will be available for respite accommodation to give families a break and another for communal use so the residents can get together to socialise. The remaining building will provide office and accommodation space for staff who will be available to provide care and support around the clock.

Mrs Lester said: “This is a ground-breaking project which will give adults with high levels of care and support needs the opportunity to live in a home of their own for the first time.

“I am delighted work is underway and I look forward to the new tenants moving in next spring.”

The main purpose of integrating health and social care is to improve the health and wellbeing of people who use services, particularly those whose needs are complex and involve support from health and social care at the same time, said chief officer Pam Gowans.

“This development will enable us to effectively and efficiently provide seamless, integrated, quality health and social care services to the tenants in their own homes,” she added.

The integration joint board is drawn from representatives of Moray Council, NHS Grampian, health and social care professionals, the third sector and the community to reflect the broad partnership approach to working together to improve the health and wellbeing of adults in Moray.

The Lhanbryde development has been fully funded from Moray Council’s capital programme and will be managed by Health and Social Care Moray, the operational workforce reporting to the IJB.

More than 30 new posts, both full and part time, will be recruited to support the current staffing compliment of around 40 who will transfer from Maybank.

Springfield Properties has won the contract to construct the 10 homes in Lhanbryde.

A spokesman for the company said: “This promises to be an exciting project and will further reinforce our strong working relationship with our health and social care partners.”