The Deputy First Minister emphasised the importance of partnership working in providing more homes for Argyll residents during a recent visit to a new affordable housing development in Dunbeg.
Deputy FM and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Shona Robison MSP met new residents and Link Group representatives at the Link Group’s Dunbeg Phase 3 development on Monday October 2, while also viewing some of the new 300 houses.
The development of the ‘energy efficient’ homes received £35 million from the Scottish Government, with additional funding from Argyll and Bute Council and Link Group.
According to the Scottish Government: “The majority of the new homes are for social rent, and all of them have air-source heat pumps to provide affordable energy and tackle fuel poverty in an area that is off-grid.”
However, the visit comes after it was revealed that the number of newly built homes in Argyll & Bute hit a record low of 94 in 2022, with a 15 per cent rise in homelessness in the region.
Ms Robison told the Oban Times: “The development here in Dunbeg is an amazing example of partners working together, with the Scottish Government providing £35million in funding, and Link Group making a big contribution along with Argyll and Bute Council and Scottish Water.
“What a difference it is making to the local community and the residents I’ve spoken to are absolutely delighted with the energy efficient homes they are now living in.”
One resident of the new development, Sharon Struab said: “We were in a private let in town and the price was increasing.
“We feel so lucky because it is a great house with lovely views. This is giving us an opportunity to feel safe and not worry about our future.”
The Deputy First Minister added: “One of the programme for government commitments was also about key worker housing in rural Scotland, so money has been set aside to work with local businesses to try and address some of the needs of key sectors in rural Scotland and we want to find solutions.
She added: “We’re also working on a rural delivery plan, which is going to bring together the whole of government to look at what more we can do across the board for rural Scotland, including in housing.”
Ms Robison’s visit to Dunbeg came ahead of her participation in the 51st Travelling Cabinet meeting in Inveraray Parish Church on the same day.
In it’s first meeting in more than four years, the First Minister Humza Yousaf tackled local issues, such as local hospitality problems and the Rest and Be Thankful at a public discussion in Inveraray Inn.
Short-term lets licensing was also discussed in Inveraray, and the Oban Times asked Ms Robison about the Scottish Government’s new short-term lets licensing scheme, which had set relevant operators a legal deadline of Sunday October 1 to sign up.
“The new legislation is about fundamentally ensuring that basic health and safety standards apply to whatever accommodation someone is using”, said Ms Robison.
“We recognise the importance of short-term lets as part of the local economy and as part of the tourism offer across Scotland.
“That also has to be balanced with the needs of local communities in terms of housing and we know that in some areas too many homes are being lost to secondary homes and holiday lets.
“That’s why we’ve also given local authorities the power to introduce short-term let control areas. Argyll and Bute may want to consider using that in the future.”