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.
The Scottish Government’s Islands Programme has awarded two projects in Argyll and Bute. They include:
Infrastructure for Worker Accommodation, Mull (£700,000)
The lack of accommodation on the island for workers is a local strain on the economy and existing housing stock.
The Islands Programme funding will enable phase one of the ambitious project to start by delivering essential infrastructure works to the site at Rockfield Road, Tobermory. Phase one works are likely to start in the summer.
Phase two of the project, funded by Argyll and Bute’s Rural Growth Deal will deliver the worker accommodation. Work will start in 2024.
Tiree Community Care Hub, Tiree, (£450,000)
Funding on Tiree will help deliver a new vision and care service model to better meet the care needs of the island community by improving their lives and supporting plans to grow its population.
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.
The new Community Care Hub will provide onsite key worker accommodation, and intermediate, end of life and respite care facilities.
Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council:
“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. ”