Changes to an Argyll and Bute Council service are set to deliver benefits and improvements to residents.

Housing services are now part of our Planning and Regulatory Services.

The new-look expanded service will continue to make sure we provide high-quality housing services for local people.

It also means our major plans for housing will be developed and delivered alongside our major planning strategies, such as the Local Development Plan, which sets out our planning and development vision for the next 20 years.

Policy Lead for Housing, Councillor Robin Currie, said: “One of our major objectives for housing in Argyll and Bute is to deliver more, much-needed affordable housing for people in the area.

“Having housing and planning within the one service will help us more easily deliver on that objective.

“Our Housing Strategy, Strategic Housing Investment Plan and Local Development Plan will now be planned and provided by the same service.

“It makes perfect sense to have these visions more closely aligned and I look forward to seeing the benefits.

“For local residents accessing our housing services, it’s business as usual in providing high-quality housing services for people in Argyll and Bute.”

Housing assistance provided by the council includes homelessness help, advice for people in private sector housing, housing allowance and energy efficiency.

The new-look service is now known as Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services.