12 new affordable homes are almost complete in Tomintoul. Developed by Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust (TGDT), the houses have been built on the site of an old secondary school. The Communities Housing Trust have supported the development, managing the homes which are available for affordable rent and discounted sale.
This has been a collaborative project with funding allocated from local and national organisations and will see an amazing new addition to the Tomintoul community. Not only does the development support local individuals obtaining affordable homes, but recognises and tackles social isolation, fuel poverty and working towards net zero.
The homes are designed around a communal space to encourage social inclusion and community. One of the homes for rent and two of the homes for sale include homeworking spaces, to reflect the shift in flexible working from home since the pandemic. The use of energy has been considered measurably, with a highly insulated design. Individual EV charging points and PV panels are included on each home, modernising the design through a sustainable approach.
This community-led development by TGDT represents the future of housing in the Cairngorms National Park. A popular destination for tourists, the area also has a high number of second homes and a lack of available long-term housing. These factors all contribute to the challenge of building affordable homes which will benefit the local community effectively.
To promote the ongoing sustainability of rural communities, people with local connections to the area, through work or family are being prioritised. The Rural Housing Burden is applied to the homes for discounted sale, which gives 100% ownership, and applies a discount percentage in perpetuity which protects the ongoing affordability for the local community.