WIREDGOV

Plans to create new social housing on the Isle of Scaplay in the Outer Hebrides have been boosted by a £20,755 Scottish Land Fund were announced on Friday 14^th October 2016

North Harris Trust will purchase the former Care Unit located on Scalpay from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and convert it to provide two affordable housing units.

Karen MacRae from the North Harris Trust, said: “We are delighted that our application to the Scottish Land Fund has been successful and that we can now move forward with the project to bring a building that once played such a vital role in the community back into use as some much needed affordable housing.”

Announcing the award, John Watt, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair, said: "The Scottish Land Fund has already played a key role in helping the North Harris Trust take ownership of the island of Scalpay. This latest award will further contribute to the economic and social sustainability of the community through new affordable housing. It’s an ambitious project but one that will have huge rewards for this enterprising island community.”

Cabinet Secretary Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, said:  “I am delighted to see North Harris Trust receiving a Scottish Land Fund award to assist in their plans to create new affordable housing units on the Isle of Scalpay. The community have previously been supported by the Land Fund and it is encouraging to see them continuing on their land and land asset ownership journey. Communities like North Harris Trust confirm my belief that these are exciting times for Scotland and this Fund will help more of our communities to take control of their own destinies and build the successful, flourishing communities of tomorrow.”

Sandra Holmes, HIE’s sector lead for community assets, said: “At the heart of the Outer Hebrides is a long history of community empowerment and I’m delighted that the North Harris Trust are continuing this legacy by purchasing these units. Housing is a really important issue in the highlands and islands and it’s encouraging to see this being addressed.”

Also announced today is a second Scottish Land Fund award of £82,500 to Eyemouth & District Community Trust who will purchase and redevelop the vacant Burgh Chambers and adjoining Town Hall to create a ‘Social Eco Innovation Centre’.

The Scottish Land Fund was relaunched in March 2016. As part of this refresh, the programme was expanded to apply to both urban and rural projects.

For more information on this release please contact

Big Lottery Fund Scotland press office
landa.sullivan @biglotteryfund.org.uk
0141 242 1458

Highland and Islands Enterprise Press Office 
calum.macfarlane@hient.co.uk
01463 244244

Notes to Editors

• The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2016. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
• The SLF Committee was appointed following the normal procedures for public appointments.
• The BIG Lottery Fund distributes lottery funding to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. It also uses its expertise in grant-giving to distribute non-Lottery funding. Full details of the BIG Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website:http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. BIG Lottery Fund Public Enquiries Line call: 0300 123 7110.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) delivers the Scottish Government Economic Strategy across more than half of Scotland - from Shetland to Argyll and from the Hebrides to Moray. It aims to support businesses and social enterprises; strengthen communities and fragile areas; develop key sectors, and create the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region. HIE has an annual budget of more than £75m and employs around 250 people in locations around the Highlands and Islands. See more at www.hie.co.uk