Plans on show for proposed supported accommodation development in Lhanbryde

A ground-breaking project is set to give adults with high levels of care and support needs the opportunity to live in a home of their own for the first time.

Moray Council will put plans on show next month for the proposed £2.5 million development of 10 bungalows in Lhanbryde which will provide permanent homes and respite accommodation for adults with autism and communication difficulties.

The purpose-built homes, adapted to the needs of each individual resident, will greatly improve their quality of life.

Villagers are being invited to view the plans and learn more about the development from the council’s project team at a drop-in information event in Lhanbryde Community Centre on Wednesday, August 12 from 4pm to 7pm.

Last month councillors approved funding for a purpose-built facility to replace Maybank, a converted Victorian house in Forres which has become increasingly unsuitable for the needs of those living there.

Although the conversion work was intended to accommodate seven service users, issues with the building have seen that reduced to four.

Health and social care staff are working very closely with the families ofindividuals who will benefit from making the move into the new Lhanbryde properties, which will be staffed 24 hours a day.

Because of Maybank’s unsuitability, some are having to live out-of-area away from their families or are moving through transition from children’s to adults’ services.

The council investigated a number of possible sites around Moray with the site at Lhanbryde being the most suitable for the needs of those who would be accommodated there.

The site for the proposed supported housing development lies off the Garmouth Road. It was previously designated for industrial use but is identified as an opportunity site in the Local Plan.

Along with the seven bungalows for permanent residents, one house will be available for respite accommodation to give families a break and another for communal use so the residents can get together to socialise. The remaining building will provide office and accommodation space for staff.

Each house will have its own garden and a sensory garden is also planned. There will be landscaping of the site and a new access road.

Following the community information event a planning application will be submitted to Moray Council at which time people will have the opportunity to make comments formally. Subject to approval, work is scheduled to start on site in the spring of next year, ready for people to move into their new homes early in 2017.

Anyone unable to attend the information event but who would like more details can email involvement@moray.gov.uk or call 01343 567187.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.