Canadian award-winning author backs ‘much-needed’ Achiltibuie affordable housing proposal
AN award-winning Canadian author has backed a “much-needed” proposal for affordable housing in Achiltibuie.
Sarah Bernstein, from Montreal and now living in Achiltibuie, won the Scotiabank Giller Prize in 2023 for her novel Study for Obedience — with the prize having been described as the “most influential literary prize for fiction” in Canada.
The author has now publicly backed a Coigach Community Development Company (CCDC) proposal to the Highland Council, to build ten new affordable homes in the Wester Ross village.
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CCDC have put years of work into the plan to build new homes at the former Achiltibuie hydroponicum, which they acquired in July 2023 with help from the Scottish Land Fund.
Achiltibuie, like many rural Highland communities, has seen a rising demand for affordable housing in the area, This struggle to secure affordable housing, often for young families, has resulted in some residents being forced to move away from the area.
The proposed new housing site, named Achagarry, is under consultation until October 25 and has seen nearly 20 comments of support from locals on the Highland Council e-planning website.
One of these public comments included Sarah Bernstein, who said: “I am writing in support of this excellent proposal for much-needed affordable housing in the village. Currently, at least half of the houses in the village are used as second homes or holiday lets, which has made it very difficult (if not impossible) for many people working in the area to find places to live. The prospect of ten affordable homes for local people is very exciting.”
Another Achiltibuie resident, Tim Hamlet, commented: “There is a great need for more affordable housing within Coigach. With so many second homes and holiday houses, the housing prices have been artificially inflated. There is also an ageing demographic with more residents over 70 than under 16.
“Our primary school has only eight pupils on the register this year, and there are fears over the future of the school. This project would not only give locals an opportunity to enter the housing market, but also greater opportunities for families to move to the area.”
Richard and Elizabeth Williams, from Achiltibuie, stated: “There are many exciting opportunities in this fabulous place, but it is so hard for young families to settle here due to the lack of available, affordable housing. This has led to the primary school roll falling to eight pupils, which is simply not enough for the high-quality education that the children deserve.
“There is a real danger that this becomes a self-perpetuating cycle, leading eventually to the loss of the school. Without the school, the community will essentially become a holiday and retirement village.
“This housing development is the hope for the future of the community. Creating affordable homes where young families can settle will help to reverse the degenerative cycle and allow this wonderful place to regenerate.”
Achnahaird resident, Ann Macleod said: “We were one of the lucky families who were able to make our lives here. Thanks to the offer of affordable accommodation my husband could return [to the village], and we could bring up our family [here] and make our contribution to the community. I would like other people to be given the same opportunity. I see the lack of housing at the root of the many problems faced by this community.”
