Tarbert housing project is “crucial” for Harris future
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has granted planning permission, subject to conditions, for 46 affordable homes in Tarbert, described as “crucial for the future of Harris.”
The proposal by Hebridean Housing Partnership at Scott Road received unanimous backing from the full council at Wednesday’s meeting.
Harris councillor Kenneth MacLeod said he fully supported the development at Scott Road, saying a shortage of housing on the island had “stifled economic development for years.”
Phase One of the project would deliver 24 homes by 2027/28, with Phase 2 adding 22 more by 2029/30, subject to funding. All properties would 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 would also include a small play area, an upgrade of an existing nearby play area, and improved footpath connections to East Tarbert.
The Chief Planning Officer’s report described the scheme as a “substantial benefit” to housing supply, particularly given the Scottish Government’s housing emergency declaration.
The report stated: “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.”
Three objections were received, including a detailed submission from Isle of Harris Distillers expressing concern about potential contamination of its reservoir water supply during construction.
The distillery, which employs over 25 people and has attracted more than £25m investment, warned it would reserve the right to seek legal remedies if its water supply is compromised.
Neighbouring residents also raised concerns about noise, disturbance, structural damage to properties, traffic impacts, and years of disruption during groundworks.
Planning officers acknowledged that houses at Nos 18-23 Scott Road would experience permanent impacts from overlooking and loss of rear outlook, as well as significant temporary noise and disturbance during rock excavation.
Officers concluded that conditions, including water environment safeguards and dust management, would effectively manage risks to the distillery’s water supply.
Planning officer Morag Ferguson said there were “robust” conditions in place to mitigate against impacts.
Cllr MacLeod said he was “fairly satisfied” that there were conditions in place to mitigate against the identified risks.
Officers concluded: “Taking all matters into account, it is concluded that the substantial benefits of the proposed development to housing supply, and the relatively modest economic benefits likely to result from the proposal would outweigh the significant harm to residential amenity due to noise and disturbance caused by rock excavation on the site.”