Plans have been tabled to build more than 100 homes on land at the north-east’s biggest hospital complex as part of a drive to ease a public sector staffing crisis.
A lack of affordable housing and the with the high cost of living in the region have been identified as barriers to recruiting nurses, teachers and care workers.
NHS Grampian has struggled to fill a number of key posts – while Aberdeen City Council and police force have encountered similar problems.
Now the health board, working with Grampian Housing Association and joint landowners Aberdeen University has submitted a proposal of application notice to the local authority for 110 units off Burnside Gardens.
The site at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s (ARI) Foresterhill hospital complex has been earmarked for a mix of flats and townhouses.
The new buildings will replace 27 existing properties.
Public sector staff will be given priority in the latest of a series of initiatives to help combat the difficulties faced by lower-paid workers moving to the area.
House prices and rents have escalated in a local economy buoyed by the success of the oil and gas industry in recent years, making it difficult for many people to find affordable accommodation.
A spokeswoman for the health board said: “NHS Grampian has along with the University of Aberdeen identified a site within the Foresterhill Campus to provide key worker accommodation to be operated by Grampian Housing Association, primarily for key workers within the public sector.
“The site identified will replace existing NHS Grampian residential accommodation with newly-built key worker housing comprising about 110 units consisting of flats and townhouses.”
The plans were welcomed last night by Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing, whose Midstocket and Rosemount ward includes the Foresterhill site.
The Labour-led administration at the town house has identified affordable housing as one of the key challenges for the area in its strategic infrastructure plan (SIP).
Mrs Laing said: “I welcome the approach taken by NHS Grampian to support key workers in the city.
“The council is committed to building 2,000 affordable homes in the city, including 350 homes at Summerhill.
“The council will always try and support our key partners the NHS in bringing forward housing for key workers as we see this as an essential requirement for our strategic vision for the city.”
Fellow ward councilor Bill Cormie added: “What is there just now is more or less for doctors and senior staff before they find something permanent. But that type of housing, the whole city is crying out for.
“I look forward to seeing the application come forward.”
In addition to the Foresterhill and Summerhill developments, the Scottish Government wants to develop the old Craiginches prison for housing aimed at public sector staff.
The council also agreed to make 57 flats in Smithfield Court available on a short-term basis to public sector workers.
Under the initiative, teachers, nurses and police officers are being given the chance to jump the 7,600-strong council house waiting list.