Welcome to North Uist Development Company
HOUSING SURVEY SETS OUT TO ESTABLISH NEEDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
Storas Uibhist has joined forces with Hebridean Housing Partnership, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, North Uist Development Company and Taighean Innse Gall to set up a survey of housing needs in Uist.
The survey is being delivered to all households in week commencing 11 July and all householders are encouraged to participate – home owners, HHP tenants and private tenants. Entry can be anonymous, but all those who state their name and address will be able to enter a prize draw for a hamper worth £100.
The participating organisations agree that there is currently a requirement to establish what the housing needs are in Uist. What type of housing is required? Where is it required? What tenure should it be? What are the key factors that influence people’s choice of housing? Which are the areas where there are peaks in demand – and why? The aim of this survey is to collate as much information as possible on these issues.
“Housing has been a priority for us since our formation,” says Kirsty MacCormick, development manager at Storas Uibhist, “so I’m delighted that we are able to get this important piece of work underway, and I urge everyone to participate. The views contributed will inform future housing development and planning throughout Uist. I am also very grateful to our partners whose contribution is helping to make this fully an island-wide analysis of housing need.”
In addition to the work of the key partners, Community Councils, the Association of Community Councils and local councillors are all being asked to help.
The survey has been put together by the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust and it is projected to run until 11 August. During that time there will be a number of community and business engagement events to maximize participation. Further details on these events will be publicized in due course.
The survey will be delivered by post and can be completed either in paper form or can be found and completed online at http://hscht.polldaddy.com/s/uist-housing-needs-survey. It is envisaged it will not take more than 15 minutes to complete.
ENDS
Storas Uibhist has joined forces with Hebridean Housing Partnership, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, North Uist Development Company and Taighean Innse Gall to set up a survey of housing needs in Uist.
The survey is being delivered to all households in week commencing 11 July and all householders are encouraged to participate – home owners, HHP tenants and private tenants. Entry can be anonymous, but all those who state their name and address will be able to enter a prize draw for a hamper worth £100.
The participating organisations agree that there is currently a requirement to establish what the housing needs are in Uist. What type of housing is required? Where is it required? What tenure should it be? What are the key factors that influence people’s choice of housing? Which are the areas where there are peaks in demand – and why? The aim of this survey is to collate as much information as possible on these issues.
“Housing has been a priority for us since our formation,” says Kirsty MacCormick, development manager at Storas Uibhist, “so I’m delighted that we are able to get this important piece of work underway, and I urge everyone to participate. The views contributed will inform future housing development and planning throughout Uist. I am also very grateful to our partners whose contribution is helping to make this fully an island-wide analysis of housing need.”
In addition to the work of the key partners, Community Councils, the Association of Community Councils and local councillors are all being asked to help.
The survey has been put together by the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust and it is projected to run until 11 August. During that time there will be a number of community and business engagement events to maximize participation. Further details on these events will be publicized in due course.
The survey will be delivered by post and can be completed either in paper form or can be found and completed online at http://hscht.polldaddy.com/s/uist-housing-needs-survey. It is envisaged it will not take more than 15 minutes to complete.
ENDS
North Uist is located in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. It is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of 117 square miles.
Also included in Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist) are the inhabited islands of Griomasaigh (Grimsay), Am Baile Sear (Baleshare) and Beàrnaraigh (Berneray). All the islands are linked by causeway and are in turn joined to the island of Benbecula.
The population is just under 1,600. The traditional mainstays of the local economy have been crofting and fishing. While these remain crucial to the economic viability of the islands, new growth areas include fish farming, tourism, teleworking and the public sector. There is also a growing interest in renewables, and a key project of North Uist Development Company is the establishment of a two-turbine wind project which will generate revenue over time for projects which will benefit the community. This project is currently making its way through the planning process.
North Uist Development Company is a limited company and a registered charity, managed by a volunteer committee drawn from the local community.
This website contains information on the wind project and also other projects that the NUDC is involved in. With most projects, our aim is to work with community councils, amenity groups and other community organisations to progress projects for the benefit of the community as a whole. All of North Uist is peripheral and fragile, suffering from continuing problems of depopulation and demographic imbalance. Therefore there are many challenges, but with the support of the community, NUDC aims to play a vital role in tackling some of these issues.
Also included in Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist) are the inhabited islands of Griomasaigh (Grimsay), Am Baile Sear (Baleshare) and Beàrnaraigh (Berneray). All the islands are linked by causeway and are in turn joined to the island of Benbecula.
The population is just under 1,600. The traditional mainstays of the local economy have been crofting and fishing. While these remain crucial to the economic viability of the islands, new growth areas include fish farming, tourism, teleworking and the public sector. There is also a growing interest in renewables, and a key project of North Uist Development Company is the establishment of a two-turbine wind project which will generate revenue over time for projects which will benefit the community. This project is currently making its way through the planning process.
North Uist Development Company is a limited company and a registered charity, managed by a volunteer committee drawn from the local community.
This website contains information on the wind project and also other projects that the NUDC is involved in. With most projects, our aim is to work with community councils, amenity groups and other community organisations to progress projects for the benefit of the community as a whole. All of North Uist is peripheral and fragile, suffering from continuing problems of depopulation and demographic imbalance. Therefore there are many challenges, but with the support of the community, NUDC aims to play a vital role in tackling some of these issues.
NUDC membership hits 700Recent years have seen a big increase in the membership of NUDC, due to increased activity and interest around our key projects and also because of the dedicated recruitment activity carried out by former director George Jackson. The company has members resident in all parts of the island, as well as the islands of Berneray, Grimsay and Baleshare. Associate member status is also available to those who live off-island, but who share the aims of NUDC. There are at present around 50 associate members, in addition to the 700 resident members.
Membership is free to all who support the objectives of NUDC and are resident in the HS6 postcode area. Please fill out the enquiry form to obtain further information. |
Community Wind Turbine Project Visualisation showing what the turbines would look like from the main road
The original founding project of NUDC was the plan to erect two 900kw wind turbines near Clachan. The sole aim of this development is to raise funds to support the 'social, educational, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing' of people residing in North Uist, Grimsay, Baleshare and Berneray.
The sums of money raised would bring massive benefit to the many community groups and projects on our island, which currently lead a ‘hand to mouth’ existence because of funding difficulties. The cash injection would also trigger the creation of new projects, new opportunities and new benefits, currently not even thought of in the present funding climate. More information here. Development PlanNUDC has produced a Development Plan covering the five years from 2012 - 2016. The Development Plan is available for download here.
NUDC ConstitutionThe Development Company adopted a new constitution in 2015. This has the same charitable aims as previously, but incorporates some changes to wording recommended by HIE, and is also compliant with the requirements of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The new constitution is available to view here.
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North Uist Development Company Ltd
Claddach Kirkibost Centre, Isle of North Uist, HS6 5EP.
nudc@isleofnorthuist.com
Tel: 01876 580331
Claddach Kirkibost Centre, Isle of North Uist, HS6 5EP.
nudc@isleofnorthuist.com
Tel: 01876 580331
