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Call to increase croft house building grant       11/9/14

 

A joint campaign is to be launched to fight for an increase in the croft house grant which provides funding to build a home for crofters.

 

The grant which is available to crofters whose existing accommodation is inadequate has not increased with inflation and has been pegged at the same level since it was introduced on 2005.

 

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Community Land Scotland will lobby for an increase as one of the first initiatives in a drive to collaborate on mutual issues, highlighted at a joint conference in Stornoway yesterday (Thurs).

 

Donald Crichton, development committee vice chairman at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, highlighted: “A rise in the croft housing grant would help tackle depopulation, encourage people into crofting, as well as boost jobs and revitalise the local construction industry.”

 

Crofter Murdo Maclennan, who is also an elected member of the Crofting Commission, pointed out the need to build more homes in the Western Isles.

 

Mr Maclennan said an increase in the croft house grant could be introduced immediately and tackle the local housing shortage.

 

The lack of affordable housing, the scarcity of jobs and youth depopulation in rural areas were concerns discussed at the conference.

 

The croft house grant remit is to maintain the standards of crofter housing with the aim of attracting and retaining people in the more remote areas of the Highlands and Islands.

 

The amount of grant available depends on the location of the croft with £22,000 available in more remote districts like the Western Isles and £11,500 in low priority areas such as Argyll.