A Moray company is investing nearly £10million in the Highlands this year to provide “desperately needed” modern care home facilities.
Buckie-based Parklands Care Home Group expects its expansion to create up to 100 jobs.
is currently building a £4.5million, 40-bed facility in Grantown and spending £1million extending its homes in Muir of Ord and Tain.
It is also awaiting a decision from Highland Council on a planning application to develop a £4million building in Fortrose.
Managing director Ron Taylor said yesterday the firm was determined to continue its expansion in the area, despite uncertain economic conditions.
Parklands has three homes in Buckie, one in Keith and another in Aberlour. The group employs more than 440 people.
Mr Taylor was speaking as accounts for the 12 months to the end of December 2016, released by Companies House, showed the group’s pre-tax profits rose to £833,861, from £615,863 the previous year. Turnover increased to £8.6million, from £7.9million, in the same period.
Results for the group’s Parklands Highlands division show pre-tax profits up to £436,428, from £233,092 in 2015, and a £200,000 increase in turnover to £2.6million.
In reports accompanying the accounts, the company said the increased profits and turnover were the result of “more favourable” occupancy rates and an increase in fees. Occupancy levels across the group remained high, it added.
The average number of staff employed at the firms homes in the Highlands rose to 141 last year, compared with 131 in 2015.
Mr Taylor said: “Despite the uncertain economic environment and rising costs, we are determined to continue investing in the Highlands to deliver the modern care facilities the region so desperately needs.
“This year will see us invest almost £10million on new and expanded care homes and create up to 100 jobs in the region.
“Work is already underway on a new £4.5million care home in Grantown, and our existing homes at Muir of Ord and Tain are being extended to provide additional capacity at a combined cost of £1 million.
“In addition, we have earmarked £4million for a new care home in Fortrose – a facility which is desperately needed in the Black Isle.”
Parklands revised its proposals for the Fortrose home after Highland Council rejected its plans last year on the grounds they contravened policy protecting green belt. The new application received the unanimous backing of Fortrose and Rosemarkie community councillors last month.
Mr Taylor said: “Our investment is, of course, contingent upon approval from the Highland Council and we would hope that councillors will listen carefully to the views of local people.
“It is clear there is strong public support for our planned investment, with the local MP, community council, Black Isle Cares and Highland Senior Citizens Network among those publicly backing our planning application.”