Rural Housing Service - Case Study: Poolewe

Case Study: St Maelrubha's Close, Poolewe, Wester Ross

Partners:

· Vestry Committee (Scottish Episcopal Church) - Land
· Albyn Housing Society - Development
· Managers Scottish Homes - Funding

Poolewe
The Initiative

Poolewe on the map

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-Map
service, with permission from Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland .

Poolewe
Poolewe is a small village in Wester Ross in the Highlands. It lies 80 miles north west of Inverness at the head of Loch Ewe. Poolewe is one of several settlements around the shore of Loch Ewe. Loch Ewe is the only north facing loch on the West Coast and was used as an assembly point for convoys during the war. Close to Poolewe are Inverewe Gardens now in the hands of the National Trust for Scotland.

river near Poolewe

River near Poolewe

The Initiative
The project was initiated in April 1990 by the local priest, Rev. Chris Dormer and the Vestry Committee of the Scottish Episcopal Church in Poolewe. They were acutely aware of the housing shortages in the area, exemplified by the high level of caravan dwelling in the area and the use of seasonal lets. They were also aware that their church had redundant land adjacent to the church that could be used to provide permanent homes for local people.

The first step the Church took was to contact the local housing association, Albyn Housing Society to see if they were able to help.

Albyn were glad to hear from the Church as they were aware of the housing need in the area but had been unable to secure an appropriate site in an area where housing land is at a premium.

The site proposed by the Church was an acre of level ground on which there had been an Army Cinema during the war, but which was now redundant.

Poolewe caravan

Poolewe caravan

Poolewe site plan

Poolewe site plan

The land was in the ownership of a local landowner but feued to the church. The terms of the feu of the ground restricted its use to that of providing clergy accommodation only. Any other use would require a Minute of Waiver agreed with the landowner.

With the support of the the local church members and the agreement of the landowner the land was transferred to Albyn Housing Society and a Minute of Waiver secured.

Between April 1990 and March 1992 Albyn and the Vestry Committee worked with Scottish Homes to develop the project.

The mix of houses to be provided on the site was agreed with the community who were also able to provide information on local housing needs.

By December 1992 the design and budget for the houses had been approved by Scottish Homes. The design and contract management was provided by Law Dunbar Naismith Partnership.

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