Step forward for Leverburgh housing

31 August 2023

Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP) and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have bowed to community pressure and will now aim to build a development of 12 new homes for Leverburgh in a single phase.

The original intention to proceed with just half that number of properties sparked anger within the South Harris.

Holding back on constructing desperately needed new homes was ‘unacceptable’ amid a severe housing shortage, depopulation and a falling school roll highlighted South Harris Community Council.

HHP indicated it was restricted by number of houses stated by the comhairle in its strategic housing investment plan. Construction of the remaining six homes would be delayed for years.

That stance was unanimously rejected by the 80-strong turnout at a recent public meeting in Leverburgh organised by the community council and attended by officials from HHP and the comhairle.

Residents at the forum demanded that all 12 homes be erected as soon as possible.

Following the meeting the community council submitted a formal request to the comhairle, seeking full construction of the project as a priority.

A change to the comhairle’s core programme is now being made in line with the South Harris community’s wishes.

However, any impact on proposed house building elsewhere in the islands is presently unknown.

Donny Macdonald of South Harris Community Council said they are “delighted with the news from HHP and CNES that the full complement of 12 houses will go ahead in one phase.

“We sincerely hope that this is not another false dawn and hope this is the start of a bright future for the community of South Harris.”

The community council thanked the South Harris community for their support and attendance at the public meeting “which clearly demonstrated the will for 12 social houses to be built as ASAP.”