Argyll and Bute Council has been shortlisted for two awards in Shelter Scotland’s Champions of the Year Awards 2017.

The council’s Empty Homes Service project, in partnership with the Ian Mactaggart Trust, the Port Ellen Station charity and West Highland Housing Association, to renovate and convert the former Port Ellen police station on Islay into affordable housing for local people has been shortlisted in the outstanding project category.

Photographs of a recently renovated building in Oban, which brought two empty flats back into use, have been shortlisted in the best before and after photographs category.

The Scottish Empty Homes Champion of the Year Awards showcase exemplary contributions to the field of private sector empty homes work in Scotland. They are open to practitioners, campaigners, community groups and elected members, who raise the profile of private sector empty homes issues in Scotland.

Councillor Robin Currie, Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Housing, said:

“It's great that the council’s Empty Homes Service hard work is being recognised by Shelter Scotland and been shortlisted for such prestigious awards. It is well-deserved and I wish them well at the awards ceremony.

“The Port Ellen police station is an great example of organisations working together to deliver a project for the local community and the area, bringing wider economic and social benefits.”

The awards will be presented at a ceremony during Shelters Scotland’s conference at The Lighthouse in Glasgow on Wednesday, 15 November 2017.