The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday (18 June) considered an update on activity, designed to address Argyll and Bute’s housing emergency, which is already delivering tangible results and unlocking future housing supply.
Since the Housing Emergency was declared in June 2023, sustained partnership working has enhanced action across the housing system. This has ranged from boosting new supply to making better use of existing homes.
For example:
- Planning consent for 1,640 homes was granted between June 2023 and April 2026;
- Help to secure up to £8 million in funding for key housing initiatives, including Rural Growth Deal and Community Regeneration Fund investment. Additional funding streams—such as the Islands Infrastructure Fund and Crown Estate funding—are also being explored to further boost delivery.
- Targeted worker accommodation, including 12 new units, in Tobermory, Mull, where infrastructure is complete and construction is expected to begin later in 2026, has progressed. This project is critical to supporting local services and the island economy;
- Major strategic developments are moving forward, including plans for 433 homes at Dunbeg, Oban, alongside social and affordable housing projects in Helensburgh, Islay, Dunoon, Campbeltown and other communities.
- Strategic Development Frameworks for Oban and Helensburgh are progressing, setting out a 20–40-year vision to align housing delivery with infrastructure and economic growth.
- Landlord-to-Landlord Sales Project launched in April 2026, is helping retain rental properties by matching sellers with prospective landlords—supporting tenants to remain in their homes and maintaining supply during the emergency;
- Community organisations across Argyll and Bute are playing a key role—delivering new homes, purchasing properties for affordable rent, and bringing empty homes back into use to support local workers and families;
- More than £2.7 million has been invested through energy efficiency programmes to help households reduce costs and carbon emissions. Work is also underway to explore innovative solutions such as microgrids and shared heating systems, particularly for rural and island communities;
- Targeted interventions—such as bringing NHS-owned accommodation back into use— are being used to directly support the delivery of healthcare and other essential services in remote island communities.
Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Jim Lynch, said: “This update shows the scale of action being taken across Argyll and Bute. From unlocking major development sites to supporting community-led housing, we are making meaningful progress in tackling the housing emergency.
“Housing delivery takes time, but the breadth of activity underway—from early-stage planning through to projects on site—demonstrates a strong and co-ordinated response. We are focused on both short-term impact and long-term change.”
ENDS
