The two organisations have worked together to identify a new location for temporary workforce accommodation in the Kiltaraglen area, close to Portree.

By potentially locating temporary workforce accommodation at the site, SSEN Transmission could help bring forward key early-stage essential infrastructure that will be required for the permanent housing development.

This would include essential infrastructure such as site access roads, drainage as well as access points for future utilities, which could be delivered as part of the temporary accommodation works and then retained once the accommodation is removed.

Leaving this infrastructure in place would help accelerate the delivery of much needed permanent homes for the local community by shortening construction timescales and significantly reducing overall development costs for LSHA.

A public consultation event will be held in the coming months to share details of the proposed temporary workforce accommodation at the Kiltaraglen location. Local residents and stakeholders will be invited to view proposals, ask questions and provide feedback, which will help shape SSEN Transmission’s final approach ahead of any planning application being submitted.

The decision to explore a new location follows SSEN Transmission’s withdrawal of a previous planning application for temporary workforce accommodation on the road to Torrin at Broadford, after listening carefully to feedback and concerns raised by the local community.

The news follows on from an announcement earlier this month about a partnership with SSEN Transmission and LSHA to refurbish five flats in Portree to bring them back into use as staff accommodation.

Chris Bell, Project Director for SSEN Transmission, said: “Working with Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association allows us to explore an approach that not only supports the delivery of the Skye Reinforcement project but also helps accelerate the delivery of future permanent homes in Portree.

“We need a suitable location to safely and responsibly accommodate our workforce, and by working together we have the opportunity to deliver infrastructure that can be reused, reducing costs and helping future housing come forward more quickly.

“We’ve listened to local feedback throughout the development of this project, and the upcoming public information event will be a vital part of shaping any future plans. We will continue to work with the community as this project develops.”

David Clapham, chair of Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, said: “We are exploring with SSEN Transmission the possibility of temporary accommodation being erected at our Kiltaraglen site. This would be totally dependent, of course, on the appropriate planning permission being granted. Our Business Plan contains proposals to seek planning permission for permanent housing in the south end of the Kiltaraglen site in 2028-29.

“If the temporary accommodation proposal in the north part of the site does go forward, it would not in any way hinder or delay our Phase 1 plan to build 25 affordable homes. Very importantly, our commitment to increase the supply of affordable housing in Portree and beyond would benefit enormously by SSEN Transmission’s offer to fund and complete the essential infrastructure work required for the development of the entire site.

“In addition, the rental income we would receive over four or five years would supplement the general income stream that funds the quality services we provide to our tenants and factored homeowners.”