Energy firm to help fund the building of almost 300 new homes
Getty ImagesElectricity company SSEN Transmission is to help fund the construction of almost 300 homes in north and north east Scotland.
Lhanbryde in Moray, Turriff in Aberdeenshire and Muir of Ord in the Highlands are among the places properties are to be built under a deal with Springfield Group.
SSEN Transmission has made a commitment to contribute to the costs of 1,000 new homes and previously announced support for developments in Lewis and Angus.
They will be used to accommodate workers on major electricity projects before being made available as affordable housing and private sales.
The agreement between SSEN Transmission and Springfield has been welcomed by Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan.
She said: "The expansion of Scotland's renewable electricity sector represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to drive economic growth, foster innovation and support our transition to net zero.
"This must be accompanied by the necessary infrastructure, including housing, if we are to fully realise all of the exciting potential this sector has to offer."
SSEN Transmission managing director Rob McDonald said the project would have "long-lasting value" for rural communities.
Where are homes being built?
The new properties are to be built across six sites:
- Elgin - 24
- Lhanbryde - 77
- Turriff - 69
- Muir of Ord - 45
- Beauly - 40
- Drumnadrochit - 38
SSEN Transmission has a number of large-scale projects in the north of Scotland.
They include a planned new Beauly to Peterhead power line.
The scheme, spanning 115 miles (186km) from the Highlands to Aberdeenshire, forms part of the electricity company's £22bn Pathway to 2030 programme.
This week Moray councillors voted to raise a formal objection to the overhead line.
Conservative councillor Marc Macrae described the plans as "vandalism of our countryside".
SSEN Transmission said the project was a "critical step to securing clean, affordable energy".
