4 C
Inverness
Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Stone Calls for Government Action on Highland Housing Crisis 

- Advertisement -

Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has spoken in a debate on rural housing targets and raised the issue of a lack of housing for key workers in Highland communities. 

In Wester Ross, picturesque villages such as Ullapool face a serious housing crisis – with local residents finding themselves unable to afford the properties on the market.

This issue has arisen as a consequence of holidaymakers purchasing properties and driving prices up. 

In Ullapool, there is currently a 37% projected drop in school enrolment over the next 15 years – on account of this housing shortage. 

Most recently, there has been outrage amongst local families as Strathconon Primary School, which underwent a 1.8 million renovation, is facing an impending mothballing by the Highland Council after the school roll fell to just one student.

This is an example of the knock-on implications of a widespread infrastructure deficit which is driving depopulation. 

Addressing the issue, Mr Stone raised his concerns in the House of Commons and remarked on the necessity for cornerstones of Highland communities – such as headteachers and doctors – to be able to afford housing in the communities where they work. 

Mr Stone concluded by asking the UK Government to work with the Scottish Government to find a solution to this problem. 

Commenting, Mr Stone said: 

“Depopulation has been the curse of the Highlands for generations.

“People are forced to leave and go south because they cannot find affordable accommodation and they cannot access adequate public services.

“It is a tragedy. 

“It is crucial that we tackle the main cause of this housing crisis and, whilst we Highlanders are proud of the outstanding beauty of our home, it needs to be made clear that our communities are not solely for the use of holidaying.

“They are communities where people live and work, and these are the people that take priority when it comes to affordable accommodation. 

“I recently heard of a headteacher in Ullapool, who was having to travel a vast distance to work because they could not afford a home in the local area.

“This is simply not right.

“It saddens me to think of adequate housing sitting empty for most of the year, when local people are in dire need of them.

“This needs to be capped and controlled. 

“That’s why I’ve called on the Government to take action on this.

“We will always welcome tourists to the Far North, but first and foremost we must do what is best for Highlanders.”

- Advertisement -
Latest news
- Advertisement -spot_img
Related news
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img