Isle of Muck Community Enterprise Ltd plans to build two semi-detached 3 bedroomed houses on the island, directly benefitting the Isle of Muck Community.
Estimated Price
£870,565
Our project will see the development of 2 affordable houses on the Isle of Muck, with the construction of 2 semi-detached homes, each with 3 bedrooms. The tenure will be affordable rent in perpetuity. The community own the land, planning permission has been granted and building warrant has been submitted. We are keen to get funding in place so we can appoint a contractor, and start the construction phase.
The Isle of Muck Community Enterprise Ltd (IOMCE Ltd) is working with the Communities Housing Trust (CHT – acting as development agent), and an appointed professional team (architect, engineers and Employer's Agent). It is anticipated that the project will take 12 months to complete, with an offsite start date of Autumn 2026, and on site start of Spring 2027.
The Muck Community are passionate about this project, and have led on the project from inception. The community housing will bring transformational change to the island, with the potential of increasing the population by 25%. The project will bring significant socio-economic benefits contributing to the long-term sustainability of our small island community. Throughout the feasibility and pre-construction there has been high engagement in terms on surveys, community consultation, feedback and drop-in sessions on the design of the homes.
This project will directly benefit:
- 2 new families (6-10 people) will benefit directly from securing energy efficient, long-term affordable rented homes, reducing fuel poverty, and general poverty, on the island.
- The local primary school will benefit from a potential increased school role (currently 5 pupils). More children bring significant social benefits for the youngsters in terms of team skills and sporting activities, and also in terms of improved social skills and pupils’ general mental well-being.
- 4 local businesses will benefit from having an increased population to recruit from, and the wider skills base to choose from.
- 3 local businesses will benefit from increased spend, both through additional construction workers temporarily during the build, and also long-term through the increased population.
- The 35 residents of Muck will benefit greatly from the increased population, through the improved demographics, improved social-cohesion and mental well-being, improve our long-term sustainability through the increased inward-investment, and the increased local capacity for the successful management of existing and future island projects.
The provision of much needed affordable housing on the island is in line with the Scottish Government's National Islands Plan, which is crucial to help retain the island population and attract new families. The results of our Housing Needs and Demands report, indicate there is a great need for housing to suit working-age families that might remain or relocate to the area to take advantage of the opportunities that the island offers.
The Isle of Muck Community Enterprise Ltd was constituted in 1992. All adult resident islanders are eligible, and are members of the Company, which is a company limited by guarantee, and a registered Scottish Charity.
The Community has a track record of delivering community assets and infrastructure through the IOMCE Ltd, having constructed the following community projects (community owned, managed and maintained):
- Renewable island electricity scheme (wind and photovoltaic power, with a battery bank, and back-up generator) to provide 24 hours electricity on the island, and also
- Completing the first purpose-built community facility with Lottery Funding and Scottish Rural Development funding (alongside community match-funding, and trust funding)
The development of this affordable housing project will be the first community houses, managed and maintained by the IOMCE Ltd.
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