Council secures £1.15 million for island housing and health projects
Funding secured by Argyll and Bute Council is set to benefit Mull and Tiree with over £1 million to help local housing demand and create a new community care hub, writes Kathie Griffiths.
Scottish Government’s Islands Programme has awarded £700,000 towards infrastructure for worker accommodation on Mull and £450,000 for Tiree’s new care centre.
The funding means phase one of the Mull scheme can start at the Rockfield Road site in Tobermory, likely this summer, delivering the infrastructure it needs.
Phase two of the project, funded by Argyll and Bute’s Rural Growth Deal, will deliver the worker accommodation
with work starting next year.
The lack of accommodation on Mull for workers is a local strain on the economy and existing housing stock.
Funding for Tiree’s community care hub will help improve lives and support the island’s plans to grow its population, providing onsite key worker accommodation, and intermediate, end of life and respite care facilities.
Argyll and Bute HSCP will add to existing investment on the island by modernising and reconfiguring the Tigh a Rudha care home into a flexible community care hub to help support older adults.
Councillor Robin Currie, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “Supporting repopulation, economic growth and local jobs is key to the long-term economic success for Argyll and Bute. Working with our island communities, we know that housing and access to health and social care are key priorities for many island residents.
“The Islands Programme funding is a welcome boost to addressing the shortage of accommodation for workers, which has a huge impact on island businesses and the wider economy. Funding also enables residents to stay on the island and have access to urgent healthcare with staff available on site. The funding in addition to ongoing investment by the council and partners will make a huge difference to island life.”