Construction has commenced on a new £2.5million supported housing development in a Moray village.
Work started yesterday on the creation of 10 bungalows for adults with complex care and support needs in Lhanbryde.
The new homes, which have already been christened Urquhart Place, will replace the Maybank care home in Forres.
Christine Lester, vice-chairwoman of Moray Integration Joint Board for health and social care, said: “This is a ground-breaking project which will give adults with high levels of care and support needs the opportunity to live in a home of their own for the first time.
“Maybank is an old Victorian building and has been very problematic in the past. It’s been very stressful for staff to work in that situation with people who have complex needs.
“These homes will be modern and fit-for-purpose and give people the chance to integrate into a community in a way they haven’t before.”
Four Maybank residents will be among the seven new tenants moving into the Lhanbryde homes, which are expected to be finished in the spring of 2017.
Instead of living in a care home, residents will have the chance to take on more responsibilities in permanent or temporary tenancies.
The 10 bungalows were specifically designed to provide permanent and respite accommodation for adults with autism and communication difficulties.
One home will be used as a shared space in which residents can socialise, another will give families respite and the remaining building will be used by staff, who will provide care and support 24 hours a day.
More than 30 full and part-time jobs will be created to add to the 40 staff who will be transferred from Maybank.
Fochabers Lhanbryde councillor Douglas Ross said he was pleased to see construction taking place at the industrial estate in the village.
He added: “In fairness, Maybank has probably served its purpose. These will be state of the art and ideally placed for the residents and their families to get integrated into the community. It’s great to see investment like this in Lhanbryde.”
A spokesman for Springfield Properties, who are building the homes, said: “This promises to be an exciting project and will further reinforce our strong working relationship with our health and social care partners.”
