Finderne Development Trust use Scottish Land Fund support to investigate feasibility of new affordable housing in Rafford

A TRUST has secured funding from the Scottish Government to investigate new affordable housing in a local village.

Finderne Development Trust (FDT) will use the support from the Scottish Land Fund to undertake a feasibility study, assessing developing community led affordable housing in Rafford at Brockloch, adjacent to the village hall and sports field.

FDT director Brian Higgs confirmed this is the first step of a wider community development project to meet Finderne communities’ long-term needs including demand for a community energy scheme, enhancement of environmental sustainability and opportunities for recreational activity.

He said: "If a community led affordable housing scheme is feasible, it will be good to have the houses designed with low carbon heating. The sports field might be a perfect place to install a ground source heat capture system. If it is, and we dig up the field, why not replace it with a modern all- weather sports surface? It’s very unusual to have three complementary factors sitting next to each other so getting experts in to see what’s feasible was an obvious step to take."

During FDT’s community consultation in 2018, affordable housing was identified as key in growing a vibrant, sustainable and balanced community.

FDT development manager, Pery Zakeri, pointed out that community led affordable housing has been a catalyst for the regeneration of many rural communities.

She said: "We want to retain and attract younger people and families to live and work in Finderne - this can only be achieved by offering them somewhere affordable to live. As we strive to put environmental sustainability at the core of our regeneration activities and create new social opportunities which look after the health of all members of our community, this project could provide a fantastic first solution and have great impact."

Community Housing Scotland (CHS), who have worked with over 200 rural community groups across Scotland, are carrying out the feasibility study.

CHS community led housing officer, Joe Gribben, said: "The shortage of appropriate affordable housing is a major problem across rural communities and we are delighted to be working on this exciting project. It will make a significant contribution to the community’s ability to attract and retain the economically and socially active families needed to support local services and businesses."

Mr Higgs said that is poignant that the feasibility study is starting so soon after the loss of FDT's friend and colleague, Chris Piper.

He added: "Chris was our first chairperson and he lived just across the road from the Brockloch site. He was immensely enthusiastic about this project concept and anything we achieve will be a lasting tribute to his memory."

FDT invite Finderne residents and non-residents who are considering moving to the area to complete a housing and community needs survey at https://www.hscht.co.uk/chs-surveys.html.

For more information, visit www.finderndevelopmenttrust.com