At a meeting today, councillors agreed that a partnership between Highland Council, NHS Highland and Wildland Limited remains the “most economically advantageous option” for the delivery of the North Coast Care Facility.

Highland Council will complete a legal agreement with Wildland and NHS Highland to formalise their joint commitment to the project.

The new facility in Tongue in Sutherland will complement Wildland’s creation of new housing in the area and is underpinned by the council’s partnership with NHS Highland, who have developed a full business case for a future health and care facility in Tongue.

Councillor David Fraser, chair of Highland Council’s health, social care and wellbeing committee, said: “A lot of work has been done over recent years to bring us to this point where council can confirm and restate its agreement to progress this project.

“I would like to pay tribute to current and previous local members and community representatives for their unwavering commitment to seeing this project through to this point and beyond.

“With partners, this development aligns well with the council’s work in relation to establishing community points of delivery (PODs) which are part of the council’s Highland investment plan.

“I am very pleased that the decisions made today bring us closer to providing much needed health and social care facilities and new housing for the Sutherland communities.”

David Park, NHS Highland’s deputy chief executive, said: “We welcome the agreed commitment by the Highland Council and we will continue to work together and with the local community members to progress this important integrated redesign of local care services.”

Tim Kirkwood, chief executive of Wildland Limited, said: “With the unstinting backing of our founders Anne and Anders Holch Povlsen, our team at WildLand has been committed to this for a number years and welcome the decision made by the Highland Council, a significant milestone in a vital project for the North Coast.

“We look forward to concluding the legal agreements in the near future with an aim to breaking ground next year.”