Electricity firm pledge to help build 1,000 homes in the North of Scotland

An electricity firm has committed to help build 1,000 homes in northern Scotland.

SSEN Transmission will be carrying out improvement work across its network in the coming years and the company has pledged to build to house its workforce during the projects, working with local authorities, social landlords and housing organisations.

Once the projects are complete, the homes will remain as a "legacy", the firm said.

While SSEN is covering development costs for the properties - 400 of which are expected in the Highland Council area and the same number in Aberdeenshire - the homes will be leased from the principal contractors for the duration they are operated as worker housing.

The announcement comes as Scotland has been struggling with a housing emergency in recent years, with an increase in homelessness and a slowing housebuilding sector.

Rob McDonald, SSEN Transmission's managing director, described the initiative as a "significant and innovative contribution to addressing the housing challenges in the north of Scotland".

He added: "Our commitment to support the delivery of more than 1,000 new homes in the north of Scotland reflects ongoing work led by SSEN Transmission with the support of our contractors and partners, focused on finding workforce accommodation solutions that will provide a legacy for communities where the lack of housing for local people is a key issue.

"Discussions are ongoing with local authorities, developers and registered social landlords over the location and scale of potential projects, and we expect to make further announcements in the coming months that will demonstrate substantial benefits to local communities.

"Our £20 billion investment in the transmission network is the biggest investment programme the north of Scotland has seen in decades, and our ambition to create a housing legacy reflects our determination to make a lasting and positive contribution in the communities hosting our infrastructure."

The move was also welcomed by housing minister Paul McLennan.

"These homes will initially be for workers upgrading the local energy infrastructure to support Scotland's net-zero targets and will support a longer-term legacy across the region," he said.

"We will work with SSEN Transmission and other partners to ensure that the right homes are delivered in the right place, to benefit local communities for generations to come.

"Good quality housing is essential to attract and retain people in our communities.

"We remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032, with at least 70% for social rent and at least 10% in our rural and island communities supported by our rural and island housing action plan."

As part of the firm's Pathway to 2030 programme, SSEN Transmission is investing £20 billion by the end of the decade to improve the network in the north of Scotland.