Coigach Community Development Company (CCDC) leads bid to 'rebalance' housing in area of Wester Ross dominated by holiday lets amid fears for struggling young families

A DRIVE to secure community housing in an area of Ross-shire dominated by holiday lets is gaining momentum.

Coigach Community Development Company (CCDC), set up 10 years ago after local demand for more community housing, is behind the initiative.

CCDC is making plans to buy the former hydroponicum site to build affordable community housing on. A drop–in session is being held on October 27, 3pm to 7pm at Coigach Community Hall.

Ben Walton, a director from CCDC said: "It's very important. Over 50 per cent of homes in Coigach are holiday lets and we need to do something to rebalance this."

Achiltibuie resident and Ullapool Primary School teacher and university lecturer, Lisa MacDonald, said: "These new homes are vitally important in order to create a sustainable future for the area.

"There are too many young families who struggle to find housing, and too many of them are forced to leave and put down roots elsewhere. These young families are the beating heart of the community, and we cannot afford to lose them. Rural homelessness is perhaps less visible, but it is real."

Julia Campbell, development officer for CCDC, said: "This has been on the agenda for 10 years. We need young people to be able to live here. Housing is so expensive, its one of the many challenges faced by the community. There's no doubt that the community needs more housing."

CCDC is bidding for funding from The Scottish Land Fund but first needs evidence that this is what the community wants. Funding could also come from a community wind turbine.

Ms Campbell added: "So far we've had 70 responses to the short survey, which is great considering the small size of the community. The responses have been immediate and enthusiastic."

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