£5m Project boost as Tulloch push for record affordable homes build
18th March 2010
Tulloch Homes is on target to build 180 affordable homes this year, a record for any one housebuilder in the Highlands and Islands.
A new £5 million development of 42 homes is to be built at Torquil Terrace, Stornoway, for the Hebridean Housing Partnership, a not-for-profit organisation which drives the affordable agenda in the Western Isles.
The development will be a mix of houses and apartments, rolled out in two phases and will be a major boost to meet demand in the Stornoway area for lower-cost homes. Infrastructure works will begin on site during March with house erection starting in June. Tulloch are working closely with local sub-contractors and has awarded the infrastructure contract to Bardon Hebrides.
Angus Lamont, chief executive of HHP, said: "HHP are very pleased to be working with Tulloch Homes to develop quality houses on this prime site in central Stornoway. The 30 houses for rent will make a welcome impact on our lengthy waitings lists and the 12 homes for sale under the Scottish Government's LOFT scheme will enable locally based households to access first time home ownership.
"I'm sure this project will have significant community benefit and will be one of which HHP and Tulloch Homes can be proud."
David Sutherland, chief executive of Tulloch Homes, said:"The Stornoway project is exciting news for the wider affordable homes sector and further example of our commitment to, and dominance of, this market in the North of Scotland. We owned the site at Torquil Terrace but have sold it to HHP under the agreement and look forward to working closely with the Partnership to deliver much-needed, quality affordable homes to benefit the community."
"We're generating more affordable homes in the Highlands and Islands than all other housebuilders combined", said Andrew MacMaster, who heads up Tulloch Homes Express, the firm's division dedicated to imaginative solutions to offer social housing. "We've provided over 200 such homes in the last three years and our schedule to build 180 this year will give invaluable help to couples and families seeking to get on the first rung of the ownership ladder."
Work is well advanced on 16 energy-efficient, environmentally friendly homes at Golspie for the Highland Housing Alliance, with a further six to begin soon. Developments at Tain (11 units) and Invergordon (13) for the same client are scheduled to start this summer.
Work is ongoing on 30 homes at Muir of Ord to be completed by the end of August. In Inverness, a second phase of eight homes at Essich Gardens will begin this spring with the first phase of eight 'new energy' homes now completed. Other new developments will be rolled out later in the year.
Mr MacMaster added that Tulloch Homes Express will continue to work closely with a range of housing associations and the Scottish Government to further accelerate the growth of affordable homes in the area.