Creating 5 Affordable Homes for the Knoydart Community
Estimated Cost
£1,703,788
1. Project Brief
Create 5 new affordable homes for rent on land acquired with help for the Scottish Land Fund. Homes will be a mix of 1- 3 bedrooms based on information gathered from housing need surveys and community consultation.
Project Scope
Renovate and covert existing empty home (Millburn cottage) into 3 homes as well as a pair of new build semi-detached homes all for affordable rent. The homes will comply with the latest building standards, be powered by the community hydro grid and implement energy efficiency measures including Air Source heat pump and solar PV to increase affordability and achieve an EPC of B.
2. This project is important for the community as there is a lack of available homes in Knoydart with the needs for homes far outweighing availability. The next generation are struggling to remain in the area, those looking to move back and residents looking to downsize or upsize have nowhere to go. Jobs in key areas such as teaching and operating local services are impacted by the lack of suitable long-term accommodation.
The Knoydart Foundation operates and manages 10 homes for affordable rent which are rented out long-term and are committed to creating more with this project increasing this number by 50%, accommodating demand and ensuring stability of the community.
2 housing need surveys, one undertaken in 2020 and one in 2025 have influenced the development of this affordable housing project.
Area Place plans and Support
- Up to 10 new homes for Knoydart is included in The Highland Councils Strategic Housing in Partnership plan and has widespread support locally.
- Addressing housing challenges is listed in the Lochaber Area Place Plan "ensuring that all residents have access to safe, affordable and suitable homes... that support the needs of key workers, young people, families and older residents..." In Knoydart teaching staff have been directly affected by the lack of available accommodation to support them and their families. The plan to build multiple homes of 2 bedrooms plus will support young people and families in achieving long term secure accommodation. Currently there isn't enough accessible homes or homes suitable for downsizing to help with needs for older residents, our plan will also address this by creating homes of 2 beds or less that are all on one level, accessible and closer to amenities.
3. Project Outcomes
- The project will create housing for up to 22 people, plus a self-build plot with planning in place for a 3 bed home.
- Increase the number of affordable homes to rent on Knoydart by 50%.
- Increase the number of secure homes on Knoydart.
- Create a mix of homes suitable for housing need - family homes, single occupancy, accessible homes.
- Enable security, sustainability and growth of population on Knoydart
- Achieve an EPC of B on new homes, ensuring affordability, energy efficiency, and security of hydro
- Availability of new housing will enable renovations of older housing further increasing energy efficiency of homes on the Peninsula and capacity of community hydro.
4.Milestones achieved so far
Community Engagement & Support Evidenced │Project Plan/Feasibility/Business Case created │ Necessary Consents Obtained │Quotes Obtained │
Project Milestones
Undertake Housing need surveys – Complete 2020 and refreshed 2025
1st Community Consultation and feedback- Complete
Acquire Millburn cottage and attached land – Complete
Appoint Team: CHT, Design and Engineers, develop plans– Complete
2nd Community Consultation and feedback -Complete
Planning and Consents – Complete - Achieved November 2024
Engage Quantity Surveyor and Tender for Contractor – Complete May 2026
Review Tender bids/ Contractor Selection – Complete June 2026
Install new water supply– in Progress
Funding – in progress
Begin enabling works and infrastructure - 2026
Construction Phase - 2026/2027
Renovation and Conversion - 2026/2027
Completion planned - 2027
5. Anticipated start date 01/09/2026 end date 30/11/2027
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