A HIGHLAND community foundation has gained planning permission for six affordable homes after successfully purchasing land from a local landowner.
The Knoydart Foundation bought land prior to the pandemic with support from the Scottish Land Fund and the newly-approved proposed plan for the community-owned site is to provide six affordable homes on the site of Millburn Cottage, Inverie.
The existing cottage will be renovated and converted into three dwellings, two new semi-detached and one detached home will be available for self-build.
The rest of the site remains central to Knoydart Foundations plans for agro-forestry, sustainable tourism and their community development goals.
The population of the Knoydart area has doubled in the 25 years from just 60 at the time of the community buy-out to 120 today.
This project has the opportunity to further prove the success of community-led housing in Scotland’s rural areas, and follows in the footsteps of other projects in Lochaber such as Arisaig Community Trust’s six affordable homes and three plots completed earlier this year with Scottish Government funding.
The new housing is hoped to boost the primary school roll of the peninsula and provide affordable housing for the local population who would otherwise have to move elsewhere despite Knoydart’s flourishing local economy boosted by community owned assets such as the "Wee Hooses" and the recently acquired and renovated Old Forge pub.
Sara Donald, the foundation's accommodation project manager, said “We’re excited to reach this milestone in the project which will revive a well-known cottage and provide six additional homes, supporting the population on Knoydart and enabling the community to continue to flourish and grow.
"Local residents are very supportive of the plans and collaboration with CHT and the Design Team has been fundamental in getting to this point. We can’t wait to embark on the next stage of the project."
Morven Taylor, interim CEO of communities housing trust: “There’s a really strong sense of community in Knoydart and it is a very special place to visit, always with a warm welcome. The Knoydart Foundation have been committed partners in this project from the outset and they are dedicated to provide affordable housing and opportunities to help to grow and sustain their local population over time.
"The support of strategic partners has been vital in getting the project to this stage and we look forward to working on the development phase of this essential community-led housing project.”
