With workers having nowhere to stay, local young people outbid on property sales and a general lack of affordable choice, a community meeting held on May 9 ended with the unanimous decision to set up Aberfeldy Development Trust.

The Trust will support the creation of affordable and sustainable houses for the people of Aberfeldy and the surrounding districts and will also seek to provide opportunities to young people and families to be able to grow, live and work in housing that is warm, affordable and secure.

Following the meeting, the Trust invited Communities Housing Trust to carry out a housing survey for community areas in Aberfeldy, Weem, Strathtay, Grandtully, Logierait and Ballinluig to provide a snapshot of housing needs.

The survey is in three parts to include local people, those wishing to move to the area and businesses.

As well as the initial small steering group, the meeting was joined by representatives from the Communities Housing Trust, Perth and Kinross Council Housing, Development Trusts Association Scotland, whose advice and guidance will be invaluable, and thirty or so members of the public.