THE community on a Scottish island have received planning permission for nine new affordable houses in a bid to give islanders a home.
The island of Colonsay currently has only nine social housing units and a handful of private rentals with more than 40% of the housing stock on the island used as a holiday home or for self-catering holiday accommodation.
With homes regularly selling for well above the local and national average which has priced young islanders and families on low and middle incomes out of the market.
Now, the Colonsay Community Development Company (CCDC) is working in partnership with the Communities Housing Trust (CHT) to provide a much-needed development of affordable housing and business units. The business units received planning permission earlier this year.
READ MORE: Colonsay one of 11 community projects to share £1.5m funding
With support from CHT, the CCDC purchased two plots of land in 2020 with funds from the Scottish Land Fund, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Argyll and Bute Council, and seafood company MOWI that will fund homes for local workers.
Further funding has been obtained through Inspiring Scotland, the £2m Islands Green Recovery Programme (Prògram Ath-Shlànachaidh Uaine nan Eilean), and the CCDC’s own crowdfunding campaign.
Caitlin McNeill, director, CCDC: "The future of our community rests upon affordable, accessible housing. Housing is the foundation of a person's security and a fundamental human right and, unfortunately, we know all too well the consequences when housing needs are not met.
“With the approval of the master plan, CCDC, together with the community and those to whom it matters most, will be able to continue to address the housing crisis on the island. We are extremely grateful to those who have supported and enabled us to reach this point."
John Forbes, community-led housing co-ordinator at CHT, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with CCDC to support longer-term, working residents on Colonsay. Their dedication to this project and community is inspiring, and a positive example to other rural and island populations which may be struggling. Community-led projects can really make a world of difference to sustaining a community for generations to come.”
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