The sale of a former smokehouse is to contribute funds for new affordable homes in a remote Scottish community.

In August 2023, The Coigach Community Development Company (CCDC) made the decision to sell the site of the former smokehouse located in the coastal township of Altandhu in Coigach.

Since acquiring the site in 2007, CCDC has tried a number of initiatives but none have been a perfect fit. Planning permission in principle was secured for two houses, but development of the site would have diverted resources from other CCDC priorities.

Having carefully considered all available options, the development company instead decided to focus its resources on building new, affordable houses at ‘Achagarry’, the former Hydroponicum site in Achiltibuie, where an application for planning permission is due to be submitted very soon.

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Expressions of Interest for the smokehouse site were invited over the month of September 2023 and ultimately accepted an offer from Summer Isles Enterprises.

After working together to protect the access rights to the neighbouring croft for future generations, the sale has now been finalised.

The funds generated from the sale will be used to accelerate the delivery of 10 new affordable homes at Achagarry, a much-needed boost as build costs have been rising substantially since the Covid-19 pandemic.

CCDC Chairperson, Richard Williams said: “We are very pleased to have been able to secure a good deal for the community, raising much needed capital to help with the onward Achagarry development, whilst seeing a positive future for the former Smokehouse site secured.”