The Scottish Land Fund has awarded over £2,700,000 for eight projects across the country, including a scheme that has pledged to provide more affordable housing.
As inflation rates continue to impact people’s ability to be able to live – the latest data from the Scottish government states that core inflation has been around 6% since April 2022 –the announcement from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) last week, in which they claimed they will provide a significant amount of funding for eight schemes across the country, should help improve individuals quality of life.
Amongst the eight projects, Corstorphine Community Centre (CCC) in Edinburgh has received £960,000 from the SLF in order to purchase Westfield House, which the organisation already uses as a community hub.
With the money, CCC will be able to own the building, thus allowing the organisation to make internal improvements, including improving accessibility, while at the same time continuing to provide a wide range of services and space for hire.
In addition to the CCC, Tayvallich Initiative, has received £565,608 to buy land in Argyll & Bute where it will build housing for affordable rent, along with a number of environmental initiatives.
Martin Mellor, Chair of Tayvallich Initiative, said: ‘The award from Scottish Land Fund will enable Tayvallich Initiative to move forwards with plans to create housing for affordable rent and to promote the use of Rural Housing Burdens for houses and plots so that more people can live and work in the area.
‘We are happy to be starting off with two rental houses as part of the community project. We hope that this long-term project will encourage a good balance in the area between tourism/holidays alongside an established year-round community.
‘Rural areas need enough affordable housing to keep schools open and the day-to-day economy running, and community-led housing projects can help to facilitate this.’
Other groups that are receiving funding include:
- Eday Partnership, which will help provide affordable housing on the island of Eday
- Great Bernera Community Development Trust, who plan to convert a vacant industrial building into a social enterprise hub
- Papay Development Trust, who will acquire two houses on the island of Papa Westry, which will be offered for affordable rent
- Bute Community Land Company, who plan to install a carpark on the Isle of Bute to improve accessibility in the area
- Kingsbarns Community Development Trust, who plan to establish a community hub that will consist of rooms to let, a pub, café and community shop
- Evanton Community Trust, who are set to purchase land adjacent to the community owned Victoria Diamond Jubilee Hall which will allow them to fundraise to extend the hall and expand support in the community
The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2016. The programme is funded by the Scottish government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.
Image: Daniel McCullough