Gigha opens doors with first social housing in 50 years

Published on Friday 24 March 2006 00:06

GIGHA residents were yesterday given the keys to the first new social housing on the island in 50 years, built as part of a £2.9 million affordable homes project.

In March 2002, people on Gigha collectively bought the 3,400-acre island, three miles west of the Kintyre peninsula, for 4 million, in the first purchase backed by the Scottish Land Fund. Now the Argyll and Bute-based housing association Fyne Homes has built the eight homes for rent and shared ownership after being invited to the island by the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust.

A further ten homes will follow later this year to help ensure there is affordable housing for people moving to the island.

The project has been backed by Communities Scotland. Jane Rennie, who chairs the trust, said: "This is a very important day for Gigha and its people. With the population increasing since we bought the island, there was a great need for affordable housing.

"What is taking place today is symbolic of our development, and vital for our need to keep our young people here and to attract much-needed new residents to the island. I couldn't be more pleased."

The new householders will pay rent of about 50 a week. The homes, which are partially powered by solar panels, were designed by the Oban architect Iain Campbell.

A substantial amount of materials used in the construction was sourced locally, with Gigha opening a quarry on the island to supply aggregate.