Fodderty Old School gap site pilot by could play part tackling Highland housing crisis
A PILOT housing project at a gap site in Ross-shire could play a part in tackling the wider crisis across the Highlands.
Highland Council, working with sustainable building specialist, MAKAR, has tabled plans for four terrace units at a gap site at Blairninich, Fodderty, built and erected using off-site methods.
The site is located within the grounds of the former Fodderty Old School. The Old School building, previously a ruin, has been purchased privately and is currently under renovation.
MAKAR delivered four homes in a two semi-detached configuration which were delivered to the east of the Old School building in 2014.
A design statement says that the terrace as a rural homes solution has many advantages: “As a building configuration it is timeless having emerged across cultures and ages due to its inherent characteristics of economy and effectiveness. Think of the New town of Edinburgh or the Circus of Bath.”
It says the scale, form and proportions of the proposed terrace “are distinctive and honest” and “are not arbitrary but carefully considered, reflective of a deep desire for positive change”.
It goes on: “Provision of appropriate and well-designed affordable housing is of great importance to the people and communities in Highland region.
“Without suitable low cost rentable and rent to buy tenure options available to individuals and families, the Highlands will not be able to support and maintain a balanced population demographic.
“In the attempt to deliver affordable housing as the legal planning gain requirement of developer or volume built house delivery the quality and place making agenda is generally forgotten.
“Affordable housing is often regarded as an unfortunate necessity or burden by volume developers and as a consequence is given little priority in terms of design, construction or place-making consideration.
“This proposal initiated by the Highland Council and supported with design and delivery services by MAKAR Ltd has at its core purpose a significantly different outcome.”
The detailed planning application has resulted from an initiative by Highland Council to develop this site as a pilot. Supporting papers state: “The opportunity is to demonstrate how an approach based on an advanced manufacture and assembly approach can help solve the rural housing challenge across Scotland and beyond.
“The four units are intended to address acute housing need for this type of accommodation in this area. These units will offer four households high quality four person accommodation with very low running costs.”
Blairninich sits on the A834 connecting Strathpeffer and Dingwall. Parallel to the A834 runs the Strathpeffer – Dingwall disused railway, a scenic off-road route to neighbouring areas.
The site is adjacent to the Strathpeffer – Dingwall disused railway line, otherwise known as the Peffery Way, described as a safe and scenic pedestrian and bike route from Strathpeffer to Dingwall.
