Case Study: Crianlarich Railway Houses - Strathfillan Development Trust

  
   
Background
Strathfillan comprises two principal settlements, Crianlarich and Tyndrum. It lies in the far north-western corner of Stirling County bordering Argyll. The area is a major junction for road and rail. The A82 from Glasgow and A85 from Stirling & Perth meet at Crianlarich before splitting again at Tyndrum towards Fort William and Oban. The rail lines from Fort William and Oban pass through Tyndrum, which despite its size (100 people) has two railway stations, before converging at Crianlarich and heading south past Loch Lomond to Glasgow.
 
Crianlarich sign The West Highland Way also passes through both communities and brings 50,000 walkers through the area each year.

The communities have developed this role as a 'junction' catering to passing travellers and tourism is now the major industry in the area. There are two major hotels that cater for coach tourists, several cafes and restaurants and shops including the famous Green Welly Shop. The communities are perceived as places to pass through rather than destinations in their own right. This perception is something the community are keen to change.
Strathfillan Regeneration Strategy
In 1995 the communities of Crianlarich and Tyndrum decided to take part in the Corrom Trust's Scottish Rural programme. This programme was designed to assist rural communities to develop regeneration strategies. Through a programme of public meetings, interviews and surveys the community developed a Regeneration Strategy. This set out a number of Strategic Goals including:

· the establishment of a community owned Strathfillan Community Development Trust (established May 1997)
· the development of the local economy - primarily thorough increased tourism
· the development of affordable housing opportunities
· the improvement of social and community facilities - primarily for young people and children
Housing
The lack of affordable housing opportunities in the area was one of the main issues identified by local people. The problem had been highlighted in a community survey in 1992 which led to new housing being built in Tyndrum. The community believed however that there was a continuing need for affordable housing. This was a view supported by local businesses who were having problems recruiting staff because of lack of housing.

A housing needs survey was carried out by the community under the Corrom Trust program to gauge the current level of housing need and to inform the wider regeneration strategy. An additional aim of the survey was to establish whether there was interest from local people in buying or renting three British Rail houses which had lain empty and blighted the centre of Crianlarich for some years.

Housing Needs Survey
The main findings of the survey were:

· the community view housing as "the Number One issue".
· 59% of respondents needed to find another housing option to their current arrangements
· equal interest in affordable housing to buy and to rent
· 14% living in tied housing
· 4% living in caravans
· 18% living in overcrowded housing
· 14% living in damp conditions

The conclusions of the survey were:

· high demand for affordable rented housing
· demand for larger houses from housing association houses
· considerable interest in self build as a way to home ownership
· interest in renting the empty British Rail houses

The survey report recommended a twin strand housing strategy:

· the purchase and renovation for rent of the British Rail houses in Crianlarich
· the development of a self build initiative in Tyndrum

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