Homes for elderly people in Drumnadrochit are given the go-ahead
AN innovative community-led project to provide much-needed homes for elderly and vulnerable people is a step closer to becoming a reality.
Plans to build 12 supported homes next to the Glenurquhart Centre in Drumnadrochit have been given the go-ahead by Highland Council.
The two-bedroomed bungalows will be owned and managed by the Glenurquhart Care Project – a community-owned charity which operates the day centre and its care at home team – and will enable elderly people in the Drumnadrochit area and Strathglass to continue living locally.
No such housing exists within the area so elderly people needing support currently face the prospect of relocating further afield to places such as Inverness, away from family and friends and familiar surroundings.
It is one of the first community housing projects to apply to the Scottish Government’s £25 million rural housing fund which was launched last year in a bid to increase the supply of homes in rural areas.
Project manager, Susan Clark, of Great Glen Consulting, said the next step will be to finalise the design before going out to tender in the summer. The aim is to start work at the site off Coiltie Crescent in the autumn, providing all the funding is in place.
There are currently a range of funders including Highland Council and the proposed scheme has already passed the initial phase for government funding.
“We are confident of getting the funding to see the project through,” Ms Clark said.
“It is a really interesting model of housing which is linked to community care. It is being driven by the community and there is a huge amount of support for the project.”
She said although there was an aging population in the area, there was no supported housing and people did not want to relocate away from their community to Inverness.
“These houses will be built so they can be adapted around the individual as their needs changes,” she said. “They will not look institutionalised.
“They will have two bedrooms so if they require a carer overnight, or if family are visiting, there is an extra bedroom.
“The main bedroom will be built to have a hospital bed, if required, and other hospital equipment should someone need that towards the end of their life.”
One resident raised concerns about the development of the site and the impact on residential amenity.
But the scheme was given conditional permission by planning officer Keith Gibson under delegated powers.
Paula Cooper, resources manager at the day centre, was delighted the plans had been been given the go ahead.
“It is quite exciting,” she said. “It is something we have been wanting for a long time so it is good to see it moving forward.”
Residents will be able access care at the adjoining day centre, which opened in 2000, or via its care at home team.
“It will be needs-based,” Mrs Cooper said. “Whatever people need, we will try to provide so people do not need to move away.”
She anticipated demand for the bungalows, once built, could exceed supply.
“There is already a lot of interest and people are putting their names forward,” Mrs Cooper said.
Pam Lucas, chairman of Glenurquhart Community Council, is also pleased.
“There is a need for this type of facility and it is close to the centre so they will complement each other,” she said.
