Inverness key worker development gets green light
14 December 2022
Plans for new key worker accommodation in Inverness have taken a major step forward.
Highland Councillors have approved a planned development of 24 affordable rental properties by Parklands Care Homes.
Parklands, recently named Highland Business of the Year, plans to build a series of two bedroom cottage flats at Milton of Leys which will form part of an integrated care hub for the city.
With affordable housing in the city at a premium, and the cost of living crisis making home ownership more difficult, the new homes will be offered to Parklands employees in Inverness, where the company is planning a multi-million pound investment.
Built over several phases, it will also include a 58 bed care home, currently under construction, and a later living village comprising 11 two bedroom bungalows for sale.
Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes said: “We are delighted that The Highland Council has approved our new key worker housing development, which will be a vital part of our integrated care hub for the city. This is an exciting project quite unlike anything in the Highlands.
“This project will greatly enhance a gap site that has lain empty for years and provide much needed affordable accommodation for key workers at a time when quality rental accommodation is at a premium.
“With planning consents for all three components of our integrated care hub now secured, we will set out our detailed timetable for the project in the coming months.”
The flats will also be offered to Parklands staff at nearby care homes in Grantown, Muir of Ord and Fortrose. Parklands currently provides on-site accommodation to its employees in Ullapool.
Mr Taylor added: “We face a shortage of care professionals in the Highlands, and there is no doubt that the cost of living crisis and the lack of quality affordable accommodation is proving a barrier to recruitment. We hope this investment will make the prospect of taking up a career in the care sector more attractive for local people and those who may wish to relocate to the region.”
Fast growing Parklands, which celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, has recently announced plans for new care homes in Elgin, Turriff and Alford
Design and planning support was provided by GH Johnston, a Mabbet Company.
Kenny Shand, Director of Planning & Design Group at Mabbet said: “We are delighted to have helped Ron Taylor and his team at Parklands secure this important planning consent and design solution on this key site, and look forward to working on future projects together.”
