Aberfeldy Development Trust have secured a £125,500 grant from Scottish Land Fund to purchase land for affordable housing development in Aberfeldy
Aberfeldy Development Trust (“the Trust”) have been successful in securing a £125,500 grant from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase the former Slaughterhouse site on the eastern edge of the town for an affordable housing development.
The grant will fund the purchase of two parcels of land at the site and support the Trust in the design, consenting and legal process of development.
This is a crucial next step in bringing much needed new affordable housing to the town and surrounding areas. The Trust’s own Community Housing Needs Survey and the recent the Community Action Plan process have underlined community concern over housing availability and affordability.
But the hard work continues, and with the on-going support of the Communities Housing Trust we will begin work on the design, planning consent, tendering and, crucially, securing funding for construction to come.
As part of securing that additional funding the Trust will be consulting with the community on what housing is needed for the development. To ensure that properties can be rented at affordable rates it is likely that the development, likely around 6 homes, will be a mix of properties for sale and rent. We will therefore seek the communities’ views on the sorts of accommodation needed as we undertake the design process.
To support that consultation, we will be holding a public meeting in Aberfeldy in the Locus Centre, Aberfeldy, on the 20th of January at 19.30 to update the community on our plans for this site, and other projects, including the possibility of a woodland crofts project. All are welcome to attend.
Our Land Fund grant also obliges us to use local contractors where possible so we will be consulting with local businesses who may be able to contribute to construction as well.
Once built, the properties for rent will be held for the community by the Trust and will only be available for rent to people with local connections to the area. Any homes that are sold will be subject to a Rural Housing Burden meaning the Trust will have a pre-emptive right to purchase the property back for the community, at the same discounted rate, if it is put up for sale and keep it available for local people to buy or rent.
The Trust is unable to make profits from any development and is obliged to invest any returns from sales or rents back into the community on their behalf.
The construction costs are likely to be well over £1 million so will be seeking public, philanthropic and private sources of finance to contribute to the cost. We would welcome discussions with any prospective funders who would be interested in supporting this vital project.
None of this would have been possible without the support of SSE Renewables who have supported the employment of our Development Officer as well as the start-up grants that the Dull and Weem and Aberfeldy Communities Councils have provided us with. Both the Scottish Land Fund and the Scottish Government’s Rural and Island Housing Fund also supported is in carrying out feasibility works on the plot.
Gill Steele, Chair of the Trust, said: “We are delighted to secure this funding from the Scottish Land Fund to kickstart our efforts to bring more affordable housing to our community.
To thrive, every community needs homes that are affordable, suitable and good quality. It supports local business with staff and customers being able to live in the area, it supports local public services keeps school rolls healthy and it supports individuals with a foundation on which to build their lives.
We thank the Scottish Land Fund for their continued support, the active role that Perth and Kinross Council have played in getting this far and the generosity of SSE Renewables, the Rural Housing Fund and the local Community Councils. Their support allows us to start the hard work to deliver the project and we look forward to the day when members of our community are crossing the thresholds of their new homes.”
Rt Hon John Swinney MSP for Perthshire North and First Minister of Scotland said, “This grant is a significant milestone in delivering much-needed affordable housing for the Aberfeldy community. It reflects the hard work and vision of Aberfeldy Development Trust, which has worked tirelessly to address the pressing need for affordable homes in the area.
“By supporting this project, we are not only helping to create new housing opportunities but also strengthening the fabric of the local community, ensuring families and individuals can live and work in the place they call home. I look forward to seeing this project progress and commend all those involved for their dedication to improving housing access in Aberfeldy.”
