Rural and islands housing: action plan

Engagement

This plan supports the ambitions set out in Housing to 2040, the development of which were underpinned by extensive consultation with communities and stakeholders across the country, including remote, rural and island communities.

In developing this plan, we have built on this consultation and have undertaken further and targeted engagement with a broad range of communities and stakeholders. This consisted of a range of meetings with key stakeholders and organisations representing a wide range of views of housing in remote, rural and island communities.

This included local authorities representing Scotland’s rural and island communities, registered social landlords, rural housing enablers, development trusts, and businesses as well as agencies including Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Scottish Water, Scottish Land Commission and the Crofting Commission, amongst others. It also included business representatives (i.e. aquaculture, tourism, and construction), young people, representatives of speakers of Scottish Gaelic, farmers, crofters, and representatives of higher education. A list of stakeholders we engaged with is provided at the end of this plan.

Our engagement with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise has been particularly valuable. We will continue to work closely with both organisations and through the newly formed housing sub-groups of the Regional Economic Partnership, together with local authorities, to support their work with business and local communities ensuring the strong links between housing and the local economy are positively supported.

Key Themes That Emerged from our Engagement

We know that the provision of housing in remote, rural and island areas can be complex, and that each area faces its own set of pressures and challenges as well as distinct opportunities. However, there are some key themes that emerged from our engagement which are common to many remote, rural and island areas and which this Action Plan aims to address. These are:

1. Housing requirements in rural and island areas are intrinsically interlinked with the broader operation of place, the economy, and the community and solutions will require strong collaboration.

2. There is limited private sector house building outside more populated areas limiting new supply options and access to home ownership.

3. In some areas, there are challenges identifying suitable land to deliver the homes required. There is recognition that a more collaborative local approach could help to unlock opportunities.

4. Delivery of housing is impacted by construction capacity, skills, and supply chain challenges in some areas, contributing to costs, time and overall deliverability.

5. In some areas community-led housing is playing a key role in meeting local housing requirements and this process can be challenging and requires the continued provision of advice and support.

6. There is a need to ensure best use of our existing homes, including empty properties, as well as balancing the demand for second homes and short term lets alongside the need for permanent homes.