The key to repopulating our community is to provide affordable housing

1. AFFORDABLE HOUSING  - a phased approach

Phase One - The relocation of Scourie School Car Park 

• Costs £260,000 (secured) plus £55,000+vat needed to divert the water main beneath the car park - FUNDING SHORTFALL £66,000 (some in- kind contributions may reduce slightly the shortfall) - scheduled completion October 2026 
• In order to free up access to H1 (the site designated for affordable housing) we require to relocate the School Car Park from its current location to the grassed over area in front of the school at a cost of £260k(funding secured), however, there is now a need to divert the water main located beneath the car park at an estimated cost of £55k+vat. Alternative less expensive proposals were submitted to Scottish Water by our engineers, none were successful 

Phase Two - Housing to RIBAStage 4 Building Warrant

• Costs £74,000 (secured) plus an additional £12,000 required for technical design fees and planning amendments - FUNDING SHORTFALL £12,000, sheduled completion date for BW approval Autumn 2026

Phase Three - The construction of 10 mixed tenure affordable homes - Year 2027

• Overall Development Costs estimate £3.8 - 4million based on another local planned development with similar infrastructure needs we estimate the infrastructure costs to be £1.1million FUNDING SHORTFALL £1.1million plus £2.7 - £2.9million required for construction

Background;

Over the period 2012-2022 14.3% of our tiny population left to seek opportunities elsewhere and 41% of essential services were classifed as "at risk", The Highland Council's 2024-27 Plan projects a fall in 0-15 year olds to be 15% by 2040. The key factor to addressing depopulation is the provision of affordable housing, without investment local businesses will struggle to maintain staff, the school role will decrease further, the high level of outward migration by young people will continue & the few services available will disapper. The mainly aged population will lack the enthusiasm & incentive needed to explore, investigate & be proactive towards capital opportunities, therefore unable to build community wealth leading to a higher level of dependency on benefits. There is clear support for the provision of affordable housing which evidences the fact that the area is at risk from losing crucial businesses & employment opportunities if suitable housing is not urgently provided

The Community Housing Trust will be responsible for applications to the Rural Housing Fund with S.C.D.C. jointly responsible for raising funds from other sources 

Our housing project has been in the planning stage for four years, at a cost in excess of £600k so far, including the land purchase, relocation of the car park & significant pre planning & technical costs leading to RIBA Stage 4 Building Warrant

The building of new homes addresses three primary headings within the Sutherland Place Plan: People/Place/Prosperity

• Provision of a range of mixed tenure, well insulated & inexpensive homes for lease at an affordable rent
• Beneficiaries will be local people struggling to find suitable rental properties, businesses with little, if any options to house their employees & the wider community
• The supply of well equipped homes will increase the economic/social value of the area making it a more attractive place to live & work
• The relocated Car Park will link the school to the new housing site providing a safe route of passage whilst simultaneously freeing up the access to H1, for housing development
• Families moving to the new development from outlying settlements, some living in old substandard croft housing expensive to heat will gain financially, rents will be lower than those charged by private landlords, the need to travel to the village by car no longer necessary lowering the carbon footprint, such moves will help people better navigate through the cost of living crisis leading to an increase in their general health &wellbeing
• 21 expressions of interest are currently lodged with the Communities Housing Trust, of those 8 households are considering a move away but wish to remain, 13 future potential home leavers would like to remain & 5 non-residents wish to relocate to Scourie, 3 out of 4 businesses have staff that require accommodation & 3 businesses aim to expand considerably within the next 5 years and require staff accommodation

Affordable Homes - Outcome Benefits;

• Local shops & amenities will see an increase in spend
• Improvements in the demographic balance - young families will be encouraged to move to/remain in the area leading to an increase in working aged residents, some with children reducing the risk of school closure
• Recruitment of remote/rural GP's/health workers can be challenging, affordable housing provision an invcentive to attract them to the area
• A vibrant/thriving community attracts external investment
• A low school population evidences the challenges of job opportunities making it difficult for families to stay & settle, new housing will help secure teacher roles & help secure childcare
• Housing provision for key workers is essential
• Bringing up young families in the village will foster a more inclusive/lively community
• New employment opportunities via the Scourie Rocks Project will add to the housing demand - this project is added independently 
• Residents living in the new homes will be financially better off due to the higher thermal efficiency ratings of the new builds
• Successful repopulation & addressing depopulation is an already agreed strategy for NW Sutherland with new housing a key part, as is the desire to help increase the local working age population
• Any plots or houses made available for sale will be protected by the Rural Housing Burden in perpetuity 

Next Steps; Aims (In partnership with the Communities Housing Trust);

• Agree project mix & submit Building Warrant - Sping 2026
• Facilitate partnerships - SCDC, key players to help develop H1 ready for construction
• Liaise with statutory bodies - SSE, Scottish Water, Planning Department
• Agree budgets & advise on changes 
• Engage with the community, public event - Summer 2026
• Identify suitable contractors &tender the development 
• Liaise with the Rural Housing Fund to negotiate grant levels
• Schedule key dates
• Negotiate and let Building Contract based on agreed contract value -  Autumn 2026

2027 - On the proviso that sufficient funding has been sourced;

• Oversee the implementation/satisfactory completion of the works 
• Arrange for all valuations &certificates in accordance with building contracts
• Schedule completion & hand over dates
• Liaise with contractors to ensure all necessary conmpletion certificates are available at handover
• Liaise with contractors during defects liability period & up to the issue of certificate of completion of making good defects ensuring all defects are addressed
• Obtain final account and EA certificate - Late 2027