There's good news this week for builders in Argyll and Bute.

That was the message from Argyll and Bute Council's Spokesperson for rural and island affairs, housing and Gaelic Councillor Robin Currie on the Scottish Government's announcement last week that four Argyll and Bute groups were successful in their bid for housing development funding.

Fyne Homes was awarded £588,928 for the next phase of housing at the Lochgilphead High School site from the Registered Social Landlord stream.

There were also three successful Argyll and Bute bids to the Innovation fund. Inver Farmers Scottish Partnership Ltd received £120,000 for six units in Ormsary.


The Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust was also awarded £70,000.

A larger project, put forward by West Highland Rural Solutions, was awarded £1,902,586 to help build 50 houses in Dunbeg, Oban.

Councillor Currie said: "I am delighted that these groups were successful in their bids but of course disappointed that other worthy bids from Argyll and Bute were not successful.

"I know that the housing associations and others all worked very hard on their applications, and when finished these homes will be a great benefit to the Argyll and Bute area.

"This reflects very positively on the work of the council and all its partners on the Strategic Housing and Communities Forum.

"There is great need for quality social housing, particularly in rural areas, and this funding, although greatly reduced from previous years, will help Argyll and Bute on its way to addressing this problem," he said.

"I hope that with more quality housing available, people will be encouraged to stay, live and work in Argyll and Bute."

(BMcC/GK)