Councillors have approved additional funding of £90k for six affordable houses on Ulva, to be delivered by the North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC).

This investment supports the council’s work to attract people and skills to Argyll and Bute, and reverse its population decline.

The North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC) purchased Ulva for £4.65 million in 2018 via the Community Right to Buy initiative with £4.25 million funding from the Scottish Land Fund and the remainder from private donations, local and internet-based fund raising.

Included in NWMCWC’s plans for Ulva is the refurbishment of six properties to help increase the number of residents on the island from five to 20. Today’s investment was agreed, following a previous award of £72k, to fund additional work identified as needed on the properties during renovation.

This new investment is the latest step taken by the council to increase housing availability in the area. Its Strategic Housing Improvement Plan (SHIP) includes plans for delivering 951 new affordable houses by 2027.

Councillor Robin Currie, policy lead for economy and rural growth, said: “Investing in housing is investing in a prosperous future for the area - it will help attract the people and skills we need to grow our economy and deliver the services and businesses we all rely upon.”

Policy lead for islands and business development, Councillor Liz McCabe, said: “Attracting new residents for Ulva will be a key step forward in developing a thriving, sustainable community and economy on the island.”

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