No juidicial review for Tarbert housing project
The threat of a potential judicial review, which if successful would have blocked a major housing project in Tarbert, has now been lifted, after the owners of a nearby distillery confirmed to the Gazette they were no longer pursuing a legal interjection.
However, Ron MacEachran, executive chairman of Isle of Harris Distillers, insisted they remain far from happy with the 46-house proposal by the Hebridean Housing Partnership and are still considering further action.
The distillery lodged an official objection during the planning process due to fears over water contamination during construction, but officers at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar recommended approval as mitigation measures could be agreed.
It was then unanimously backed by the council with a report stating that “the provision of new affordable housing for social rent in an area of high housing demand would make a material contribution to the local housing supply.”
The development is proposed in two phases. Phase 1 will deliver 24 homes by 2027/28, with Phase 2 adding 22 more by 2029/30, subject to funding. All properties will be for social rent, ranging from one to four bedrooms, with ten designed to be wheelchair-friendly.
The 5.3-hectare site on common grazing land above Tarbert will also include a small play area, an upgrade of an existing nearby play area, and improved footpath connections.
However, after planning consent was approved, a number of local residents in Tarbert expressed concern, citing a lack of consultation on the basis that they weren’t fully aware of the scale of the development envisaged.
After being contacted by the Gazette this week on the state of play with regards to a judicial review, Mr MacEachran said: "IHD has withdrawn its judicial review petition so it can focus resources on other initiatives it is exploring to address serious concerns about the existing and potential commercial challenges posed by the Scott Road development.
“The need to take such actions remains a source of deep regret for us. Reflecting this, we have made a pragmatic proposal for the development to be adjusted in a manner which would de-risk it to an acceptable extent from IHD's perspective. Regrettably, this proposal has not been accepted.”
A Comhairle spokesperson commented: “Comhairle nan Eilean Siar at its meeting on the 11 February 2026 granted the Hebridean Housing Partnership planning permission for the construction of 46 houses over two phases.
“The next stage in the planning process is the submission by the agents acting for HHP of the information necessary to discharge the suspensive planning conditions.
"This stage has recently commenced with the submission of information to discharge Condition 3 (archaeological desk based assessment).”