 12 new affordable homes being built in Tomintoul are expected to be complete in summer 2022, and are now open to applications. The community-led development on the site of the old secondary school is led by Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust (TGDT), with support from the Communities Housing Trust. The homes are a mix of affordable rent and discounted sale, managed by the Communities Housing Trust on behalf of TGDT, a community owned registered charity. There are eight 2 to 3 bedroom homes available for affordable rent, one of which includes a homeworking space, and four 3-bedroom homes for discounted sale, two of which include homeworking spaces. The Rural Housing Burden is applied to the homes for discounted sale, which gives 100% ownership, and applies a discount percentage in perpetuity which protects the ongoing affordability for the local community. People with local connections to the area, through work or family, will be prioritised, as a way to promote the ongoing sustainability of rural communities. The development also tackles fuel poverty and social isolation, as the homes are designed around a communal space, and include individual EV charging points, PV panels on each home to generate electricity, and are highly insulated.
Tilly Smith, Chair of TGDT said: “This development has been a huge project for TGDT and we’re delighted to be offering these 12 amazing houses at a significant discount against market rates to support and sustain our communities. The development which includes live-work units will help regenerate our area and provide long term, high quality, affordable housing for people who live and work here.”
Ronnie MacRae, CEO of Communities Housing Trust said: “Community-led developments like this one are so important in small and rural communities, because they’re based on what the community themselves want and need. “This development is also helping to tackle wider issues such as fuel poverty, and working towards net zero. The homeworking spaces signal a shift we’ve all seen since Covid to work more flexibly, which can also help to diversify local economies. We’d like to congratulate the Tomintoul and Glenlivet communities on finalising such a high-quality development so swiftly, in a national park setting.” The project has been funded by the Scottish Land Fund, the Scottish Government’s Rural & Islands Housing Fund, Social Investment Scotland, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the Community And Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), Dorenell Windfarm Community Benefit Fund, TDGT, and is constructed by Aberdeen-based Alpha Projects. For more details of the homes and to apply, please visit: https://www.chtrust.co.uk/current-opportunities.html
As the community-led mixed development in Tomintoul progresses, we thought it would be good to share a quick update with you all.
Watch the short video above for an overview, and update on site progress. It's great to see the project coming along, particularly in a National Park and the extra challenges this brings. Tomintoul is a village in Moray, within the Cairngorms National Park. Attractive with tourists, it has a high prevalence of second homes, and lack of available long-term housing. We worked with the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust to undertake community consultation on housing need, which clearly showed that there was a demand for good quality affordable housing within the community. It was also clear from responses that the lack of housing was a barrier to families remaining, and new families moving in, which was having a negative effect on local businesses, community groups, and the school rolls. The former secondary school building, derelict for over 20 years and an eyesore in the village, was identified as a potential site for development. We supported TGDT to acquire the site, which was passed into community ownership in November 2020, with funding from the Scottish Land Fund. With support from Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), the school building was demolished in early 2021, and construction will begin in spring. We continue to provide development support for the construction of 12 affordable homes, including several live/work units. The homes, of differing sizes, are designed around a shared social space, to address social isolation and build community spirit. With TGDT, we continue to monitor the range of tenures required, which could include low-cost home ownership, and a range of affordable rents. With the live/work units too, this flexibility will help cater for a range of needs and help ensure long-term sustainability. It is hoped that the development will help increase the school roll, and ensure the longevity of the village well into the future. Read about more community-led projects we're working on here. To discuss what your own community requires, feel free to contact us for an informal chat. |
CHT BlogThis blog features a variety of CHT’s developments and projects located throughout the central and northern Scotland. It also includes the latest news and updates regarding the Trust. Archives
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