Newsflash!
The LDCI are pleased to announce that the planning application has gone in to the Highland Council for this project - watch this space for the next exciting chapter for Lairg.
Care and Wellbeing Project
Sutherland Arms Hotel
The original hotel opened its doors in 1891, enjoying over 100 years of trading on this prime site. It closed its doors for the final time in 1998, following years of financial neglect into maintenance and marketing. The hotel building was finally demolished in 2007, and all that remains of this once thriving business is the former coach house, gardens and ice house. Following the closure and subsequent demolition of the Sutherland Arms Hotel the residents of the Parish of Lairg were asked if they supported the proposal of the Lairg and District Community Initiatives to exercise on behalf of the community, the ‘Community Right to Buy’ under the Land Reform Act (Scotland) 2003.
In July 2010, the previous owner of the former Sutherland Arms Hotel site placed the site on the open market. This automatically triggered the Community Right to Buy held on the site.
An independent valuer was appointed by the Scottish Ministers and the Highland Council conducted a community ballot on behalf of Lairg and District Community Initiatives.
Following the valuation, the current site owner took the decision to withdraw the site from the market.
Lairg and District Community Initiatives agreed that the ballot count should continue as planned and would clearly evidence the public opinion.
The original hotel opened its doors in 1891, enjoying over 100 years of trading on this prime site. It closed its doors for the final time in 1998, following years of financial neglect into maintenance and marketing. The hotel building was finally demolished in 2007, and all that remains of this once thriving business is the former coach house, gardens and ice house. Following the closure and subsequent demolition of the Sutherland Arms Hotel the residents of the Parish of Lairg were asked if they supported the proposal of the Lairg and District Community Initiatives to exercise on behalf of the community, the ‘Community Right to Buy’ under the Land Reform Act (Scotland) 2003.
In July 2010, the previous owner of the former Sutherland Arms Hotel site placed the site on the open market. This automatically triggered the Community Right to Buy held on the site.
An independent valuer was appointed by the Scottish Ministers and the Highland Council conducted a community ballot on behalf of Lairg and District Community Initiatives.
Following the valuation, the current site owner took the decision to withdraw the site from the market.
Lairg and District Community Initiatives agreed that the ballot count should continue as planned and would clearly evidence the public opinion.
Consultation
Press Release
The people of Lairg turned out in significant numbers on a wet and windy Wednesday to attend a consultation event in the community centre.
The Lairg and District Community Initiative (LDCI) and Albyn Housing Society (AHS) invited the community to review draft proposals for some new affordable housing.
In Spring 2019, the two organisations identified a common purpose to develop homes in Lairg, which were designed to support independent living within the village for older people or those with medical needs. LDCI had already made significant progress by conducting a feasibility study and securing funding to purchase the site of the former Sutherland Arms Hotel which had lain empty for some years.
Albyn Housing aim to deliver four “FIT” homes as the rural phase of an innovative project funded by the Scottish Government’s City Region Deal. These homes are flexible in design to accommodate a person’s changing needs and, are further enabled by technology as part of a research and development project to develop software which aims to predict changing health.
The Lairg and District Community Initiative have developed plans for community owned flexible homes for older people which are of a scale and design to allow ease of movement for a someone who may need to use a wheelchair or who may need care. These are designed to full wheelchair standard with wet rooms and storage designed to cater for the needs of older people or those with dementia.
The very positive feedback from members of the community who attended the event will enable both organisations to move forward confidently to the next stage. We aim to submit a formal planning application in Spring 2020.
Albyn Chief Executive Officer Lisa Buchanan said
“We believe that in working collaboratively with our community partners, both organisations are in a stronger position to deliver homes which meet the needs of people in Lairg and which will have a positive and lasting impact on the village.
The Lairg and District Community Initiative (LDCI) and Albyn Housing Society (AHS) invited the community to review draft proposals for some new affordable housing.
In Spring 2019, the two organisations identified a common purpose to develop homes in Lairg, which were designed to support independent living within the village for older people or those with medical needs. LDCI had already made significant progress by conducting a feasibility study and securing funding to purchase the site of the former Sutherland Arms Hotel which had lain empty for some years.
Albyn Housing aim to deliver four “FIT” homes as the rural phase of an innovative project funded by the Scottish Government’s City Region Deal. These homes are flexible in design to accommodate a person’s changing needs and, are further enabled by technology as part of a research and development project to develop software which aims to predict changing health.
The Lairg and District Community Initiative have developed plans for community owned flexible homes for older people which are of a scale and design to allow ease of movement for a someone who may need to use a wheelchair or who may need care. These are designed to full wheelchair standard with wet rooms and storage designed to cater for the needs of older people or those with dementia.
The very positive feedback from members of the community who attended the event will enable both organisations to move forward confidently to the next stage. We aim to submit a formal planning application in Spring 2020.
Albyn Chief Executive Officer Lisa Buchanan said
“We believe that in working collaboratively with our community partners, both organisations are in a stronger position to deliver homes which meet the needs of people in Lairg and which will have a positive and lasting impact on the village.
