Westray Development TrustNews

Defining Westray’s Housing Needs

Westray Development Trust has for some time been looking into housing need on Westray. This work included engaging with the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust which sent a representative to the island during regatta weekend 2016 to carry out consultation with the community. The results of this work suggested that there is some need for housing on the island and we used this to look at some development options.

However, before the Trust proceeds with the purchase of any properties or land, it needs to get the definitive answer on the actual demand and type of property requirement. Therefore, we have devised a short questionnaire which is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MKVG89Q , via links on the Westray Facebook page or in paper form from the office if you’d prefer. The survey results will give us the information we need in order to make a decision on whether to proceed or not.

We thought it would be helpful to explain what we consider to be a housing need. We would suggest that a housing need is anyone who may already be housed but who also has a desire to move out of their current home for any number of reasons. These reasons could include, but not limited to:

  • A young person or couple wanting to move out of the family home or set up their first home together
  • An older person or couple who want to downsize to a more manageable, adaptable home
  • A person currently living in sub-standard accommodation
  • A person or family wanting to move back to Westray but is struggling to find suitable accommodation
  • A family wanting to move into a larger home

We would be very grateful if you could take the time to complete this questionnaire and/or pass it on to anyone that you know might have a housing need now (or in future) including family members and friends who currently live elsewhere but would be looking to move to Westray. Please be assured that your answers will be treated with strictest confidence and any public access to the answers will be limited to collective, anonymous results.

We recognise that everyone’s need will vary and therefore if you wish to speak to the Trust in regards to your own, individual requirement for housing, please get in touch to make an appointment. We are contactable:

9am until 4pm, Monday to Friday on 01857 677858;

Or through email: general enquiries to [email protected] or direct to Andy, Operations Manager on [email protected];

Or drop in to the office at Quarry Road during office hours;

Or send us a message on Facebook/Messenger – https://www.facebook.com/westray.developmenttrust.5

We would be delighted if you could provide us with your responses before 5pm on 23rd February so that we can review the responses and make a decision at the next Board meeting (6th March) on if/how to proceed with the project. If you need more information please get in touch as above.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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