Start set to be made on new housing at Golspie
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A START is set to be made shortly on new Highland Council housing developments at two separate sites in Golspie.
Work is expected to begin on a new 17-unit scheme on a green field site to the rear of Sibell Road and also on three homes at the former Millennium Garden site next to the A9 and close to Seaforth House Care Home.
The overall cost of the two schemes has been put at £5 million.
Highland Council awarded the building contract to Capstone Construction Ltd and the contract started on May 15.
A spokesman for the local authority said: “The contractor has been given possession of the sites and the initial period is the preparatory element. The community will see a physical start over the next few weeks.”
The larger housing scheme is being built on a former hockey pitch which has not been used in years. Access will be from South Argo Terrace.
The scheme comprises semi-detached and terraced homes as well as flats and a single detached home.
At the time planning consent was granted, East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Richard Gale, a Golspie resident, said: “Golspie has been crying out for properties for such a long time now. We are having to turn away folk from the NHS and education service, as well as youngsters who want to stay and work because there are no homes. It is an absolute necessity to have houses.”
The scheme at the Millennium Garden comprises three bungalows designed to wheelchair standard for less able people.
The Highland Council spokesman said that the full housing project was due to be completed in June 2024, although the smaller scheme was likely to be finished earlier.
At a meeting of Golspie Community Council on June 12, secretary Henrietta Marriott said that people could take plants and cuttings from the Millennium Garden, which has become overgrown. She suggested that donations could be made to the Friends of Seaforth House.
The garden ceased to be maintained after the group of local people who looked after it said they could no longer carry on.
