At a meeting of the Full Council, councillors approved a grant of up to £80,000 from the Strategic Housing Fund to enable the North West Mull Community Woodland Company to upgrade the water and sewerage infrastructure on the Island of Ulva by constructing a new water treatment shed to help with the development of additional affordable houses.

Councillors also agreed to provide Colonsay Community Development Company with a grant of £100,000 to enable them to deliver a multi-tenure housing development at Scalasaig, subject to match funding from Highland and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government.

Councillor Robin Currie, the council’s Policy Lead for Housing, said: “Having a home to call your own is something we all want and need. Desirable and available housing plays a key part in encouraging people to work and live their lives here, and be part of long term future success for Argyll and Bute.

“We are providing this funding support as part of our actions to address the shortage of housing options in the area.

“Both these communities are to be commended for their efforts and dedication to growing their populations. As a local authority, we are committed to working with everyone with a role to play in tackling the housing emergency in Argyll and Bute.”

Reports to the council highlighted the shortage of housing in Argyll and Bute. There are just 105 homes on Colonsay for example, with 30% second/holiday homes, 9% housing associations, and several short-term holiday lets.