A £500 million city housing development which will provide 1,500 new homes reached a “significant milestone” yesterday with the opening of an upgraded through route.
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael officially opened the upgraded Barn Church Road as the first phase of the scheme at Stratton is completed ahead of schedule.
Mrs Carmichael said: “The new community at Stratton helps to meet several of the targets that we have for the future of Inverness, offering affordable homes, new jobs and local leisure and health facilities. Highland Council is committed to the creation of new opportunities and sustainable communities which will help retain a young and dynamic workforce in the region.”
Economic analysts have said Stratton will contribute £60.4m annually to the Highland economy and deliver 1,392 FTE jobs.
A quarter of the Stratton site will be affordable homes and the development will also create a new town centre with shops, office space, leisure and community facilities.
The Minister for Local Government & Housing, Kevin Stewart MSP, said: “This is a significant milestone in this major project for Inverness. The development will not only create jobs and prosperity for the local economy; the local community will benefit from a range of new facilities as well as 1,500 new homes, of which over 350 will be affordable for rent and ownership.”
Barratt Homes is a key partner with Hazledene for the residential part of the development.
Brian Clarke, from Hazledene Inverness, said: “I am very pleased with the progress made to date, with all infrastructure, drainage facilities and groundworks complete ahead of schedule. Our investment in Barn Church Road, the key spine infrastructure at Stratton, has been one of the most important aspects underpinning the whole development.
“We have benefited from strong support from Highland Council and the Scottish Government over several years to make Stratton a strategic part of the development of Inverness.
“Stratton has been designed as a distinctive new community which will attract people to come and live here. Our plan includes the creation of green spaces, a children’s play area, footpaths and cycle paths. The town centre will be an open space with mixed retail and office premises, a health centre, community building and church. The style and layout of the public buildings and homes are in keeping with traditional Highland architecture.”
David Palmer, managing director for Barratt North Scotland, said: “We are very excited to be launching at Stratton in the coming weeks. This first phase will comprise around 30 three and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes.”