INTEREST in living in South Kessock has been revived as the result of multi-agency activity - to the extent that there is now a significant waiting list for a council house in the area, according to Highland Council.

Over the past year, the number of empty houses in the 490-council house estate has been cut from 64 to 27 and five of these are currently on offer to prospective tenants. And there are now 198 people on the waiting list for a council house at South Kessock and a further 121 tenants want to transfer to the area.

Brian Cain, chairman of the South Kessock Residents’ Association, said: “No one is pretending that trouble does not still exist in South Kessock, but there is no doubt that residents are much less tolerant of anti-social behaviour and are prepared to root out troublemakers.”

Local Councillor Peter Corbett recognises that the situation was bleak one year ago with more than 60 houses lying unoccupied. He said: “Thanks to the presence of agencies such as housing, social work, health, police and employment and a lot of hard graft, we have managed to instil greater confidence in the area. We are all keen to firmly establish South Kessock as a desirable place to live and bring up a family.”

Chief Superintendent Bruce Duncan, Head of Operations with the Northern Constabulary said: “Operation Eagle which targeted crime in the area, was embraced by the community who wanted to live in a safe environment and the fact that there is now a waiting list for people to return to the area is sound testament to the work that all agencies have been involved in, in the past year."