Housing plan for care sites put on hold

Plans for the future use of the Dun Eisdean and Dun Berisay sites in Stornoway for social housing are in doubt after local councillors forced through a vote halting the proposals until consultations with local residents have been undertaken.

The existing care homes on the two sites are set to close when a new care facility opens in Stornoway, and proposals presented to the Comhairle’s Community and Housing Committee last week, showed the sites as being earmarked for new affordable homes.

But Stornoway South Councillor, Charlie Nicolson, objected to the proposals on the basis that there had not been consultation with local residents on the plan, and that discussions had commenced locally about the potential use of the sites as new open spaces.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Committee Chair, Councillor Kenny John Macleod voiced concerns that removing the proposals from the Comhairle’s strategic housing plans could “signal to the Scottish Government that we are not making every effort to reach our social housing targets.”

Cllr Nicolson disagreed with the Chair’s fears stating that his amendments “challenged only that bit of the plans,” and insisted on an amendment going to a vote of the committee. Members subsequently endorsed the change by a large majority.

Related topics: