Affordable housing is the top priority in the Lochalsh Community Action Plan, 2022, based on almost 600 responses to the community survey of 2021.  Business units and access to land for growing are also priorities.

We appointed the Communities Housing Trust, Ian Livesley, architect and Jamie McIntyre, woodland croft specialist to conduct a feasibility study into two Forestry & Land Scotland sites in Ratagan and Saraig, with funding from the Scottish Land Fund and the Rural & Islands Housing Fund.  Once their investigations are complete, they will produce an Options Report to help Kyle & Lochalsh Community Trust to decide whether – or how – to go ahead with the project.

A housing needs survey during October 2023 has produce some initial results:  The resident’s survey received 135 responses, the non-residents 19, and the business survey had 10 responses.

Some outline results for permanent residents:

• 78% of all respondents support the proposals
• 51 permanent local residents stated that they are considering moving home, 45 are hoping to find a home in the Lochalsh area
• Loch Duich (Ratagan/ Saraig) was picked by nearly half the respondents as the preferred location of new homes, Dornie was second most popular
• In addition, 16 respondents who currently live outwith Lochalsh would like to live in Lochalsh, of which 44% used to live in the area.
• 32 respondents have members of the household that are planning to move out of the home within 5 years, and 23 of these would like to stay in the Lochalsh area, showing evidence of future need.
• More than half of respondents stated that they have friends and family that have moved away due to lack of housing
• Almost all respondents stated that they think those people would return to the area if more housing options were available.
• 28 respondents are interested in a workspace within the home, land to build business premises or a business unit to rent.
• 29 respondents would like to see the Saraig/ Ratagan sites used for community growing, orchard or polytunnel.
• 27 people expressed an interest in Woodland Crofts as a possible housing option.
• 10 business respondents replied, with 86% respondents believing that if more affordable housing is not provided, there will a detrimental impact on their business.