The Goathill project is an ambitious development bringing together, on an eight-hectare plot, 74 affordable homes (including 16 for sale), 50 housing with extra care flats by HHP and a 52-bed residential care home by Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar. The care facilities are also being delivered in partnership with the Western Isles Integration Joint Board.

Despite the challenges of global events, O’Mac Construction Limited handed over the first phase of homes in July 2021, and now, a year later, the fourth and final phase of 24 homes has been completed.

HHP chair Iain Macmillan said: “The completion of the affordable homes finished to a high standard of workmanship, is a significant milestone to be celebrated and I would like to take the opportunity to thank all those involved particularly O’Mac Construction Limited along with the Comhairle project team, McLaughlin & Harvey Limited and The Scottish Government.

“We look forward to the official opening of the development in the new year once the Residential Care Home and the Housing with Extra Care have been completed.”

Housing secretary Shona Robison said: “It’s great to see homes complete and occupied, at this transformational development in Stornoway. Supported by over £16.8 million from Scottish Government, these homes and the wider project, will provide huge benefit to the local community and make a real and lasting difference to the lives of the residents.

“We are proud to have supported Hebridean Housing Partnership and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in this project and delighted to see these high quality, affordable homes, that meet their needs and allow people to live independently, completed.

“These homes will support our commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, of which at least 70% will be for social rent and 10% in remote, rural and island communities.”

The completion of the overall project is expected early in the new year.

The Comhairle took the lead in the procurement of the enabling works for the overall site. McLaughlin & Harvey Limited, who are also building the residential care home and housing with extra care flats, carried out the enabling works which comprised significant bulk earthworks, drainage, roads and utilities. The affordable housing site tender was procured separately by HHP and won by local contractor O’Mac Construction Limited.