Investment plan for more than 350 new homes in Orkney given green light

Councillors have given their approval to a plan that could deliver more than 350 properties built in Orkney over the next five years.

Investment plan for more than 350 new homes in Orkney given green light

The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) was presented at a special meeting on education, leisure, and housing on Thursday.

The plan is proposing that Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Housing Association Ltd develop 353 social rented and low-cost home ownership properties.

The private sector and partners are also expected to build up to 120 affordable rented and low-cost home ownership properties.

Seven projects in Orkney have received funding and four more are at the initial approval stage. These will see 74 housing units ready for use, most of which are on Orkney’s outer isles.

The council is looking at acquiring an area outside Kirkwall for a scheme with both mid-market rent and social-rented housing.

The future of the projects depends on how much funding is available from the Scottish Government.

Many of the developments will rely on the Scottish Government’s Rural and Islands Housing Fund continuing.

The Strategic Housing Investment Plan now goes on to full council before being submitted to the Scottish Government.

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