Ten new affordable homes planned to halt Jura population decline

PLANS to build 10 affordable family homes on Jura, which has a population of around 200, have been supported by the island’s community council.

West Highland Housing Association (WHHA) has applied to build eight two-bedroom houses and two three-bedroom houses between Jura Distillery’s whisky warehouse and the Coastguard Station near Craighouse. The design statement by CP Architects states: ‘This project meets a local housing shortage and provides a small scale housing development which will enhance the long-term sustainability of Craighouse and the Isle of Jura.

‘It is hoped this housing will contribute to a reversal of population decline. The development will help sustain jobs.’

Jura Community Council ‘strongly supports the need for housing and hopes there will be no further delays in this project’ and Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Water also gave no objection.

However, Argyll and Bute Council’s roads and amenity services submitted reasons for refusal. ‘There is no pedestrian link to the village. Pedestrian safety must be considered,’ it argued.

WHHA, whose parent company Link Group Ltd plans to deliver 350 properties in Oban and Dunbeg over the next four years, also aims to bring affordable housing to Mull, Colonsay and to Port Ellen and Port Charlotte in Islay this year.