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Trust in the community

Latest update on HIFAR.

Written by Nick Underdown
Friday, 6 April 2007

2,849 views   0 comments


HIFAR, the Housing Initiative for Arran Residents, is fast gaining momentum and establishing its voice in the debate over Arran’s chronic lack of affordable housing. The group, which started with a clear and simple website outlining its mission to address the problem, has now received signatures from over 10% of all the residents on the island – and the number is still growing.

ACC approval

Following HIFAR member Ailsa McNicol’s presentation to the Arran community council (ACC), chairman Campbell Laing remarked, “It would be a strange person who did not support what you [HIFAR] are trying to do.” The ACC has offered its complete support to HIFAR ,promising to assist in any way it can.

Doors are swinging further open with every knock. HIFAR has found wider audiences with Alan Wilson MSP and representatives from the Scottish Executive Land Unit. Operating on a shoe-string, HIFAR’s costs have until nowbeen funded by the modest personal pockets of its eight directors. However, the group is on its way to finalising its trust status. This will help legitimise its representation at the community level and will formalise the duties incurred by the trust should it acquire any property on the community’s behalf.

The group aims to help ordinary working people to buy, build or rent “modern, efficient, safe homes for themselves and their families, in a location that suits them,” as Henry Murdo, HIFAR’s lead spokesman, said. He added, “It’s not about speculation; it’s about providing accommodation to those who need it.” HIFAR's objectives are both clear and inclusively democratic, but they are open to suggestions about how the group should be run.

Politician lends support

On Friday 30th March Labour MSP Alan Wilson expressed strong sympathy for HIFAR’s aim to establish community influence over planning proposals for housing on Arran. He told the group, “You should have the primary say in how that planning process takes place.” Henry Murdo expressed the group's preference for community input throughout the entire planning process rather than just involvement in the development plan stage. Mr Wilson assured the group that nothing would be implemented unless it was “specifically in the plan”.

When Henry Murdo outlined the group's intention to negotiate planning and land purchase for forest-based crofts, Mr Wilson’s response was enthusiastic. “It opens up new horizons and opportunities,” he said , and added rhetorically, “Does that need to be accomnpanied by all the paraphernalia of mainland development planning?” It was a question left unanswered.

HIFAR member John Inglis went on to describe the present state of thinking in the council regarding new forest and sustainable house planning. Mr Inglis said that initiatives like the National Forest Land Scheme, which are sanctioned and encouraged by the Scottish Executive “haven’t really permeated down to the council level”.

Mr Wilson made it clear that he couldn’t influence NAC in this regard, but admitted that he had “a degree of influence,.” Ultimately, however, “local government is responsible for its area and we are responsible for our area.” Some members of HIFAR reflected that these two areas are geographically the same.

Mr Wilson urged HIFAR to start acting soon, but he was realistic about some of the barriers presently in place. John Sillars, chair of housing association Isle of Arran Homes (also present at the meeting) said “We are now in a position as a housing association to bank land, but we can’t bank land unless it’s designated planning”.”.br />
Partnership possible?

The relationship between HIFAR and Isle of Arran Homes (IAH). has yet to be fully explored. Henry Murdo of HIFAR and Andrew Martin of IAH have both expressed separately to The Arran Voice that they are keen to communicate. But HIFAR feels frustrated by existing regulations that hamper more progressive development. Ailsa McNicol said that arbritrary planning decisions are “crucifying the island”.

Both groups await with keen interest the publication of Craigforth’s overdue report on the state of Arran’s housing (widely rumoured to have been been sitting on NAC desks for the last two weeks.) It is anticipaated that the report will underscore the chronic shortage of affordable housing on the island and lend political weight to the organisations seeking to address the problem.

A key bone of contention concerns the points system which informs how houses are allocated. “Arran Homes is run from a North Ayrshire perspective”, explains Henry Murdo. “Unfortunately due to the points scheme, you’re bringing in people who don’t always have jobs”. IAH manager Andrew Martin fully appreciates why some people don’t register with IAH, but asks the Arran public not to ignore the good work the housing association has done since it started in 2001. Mr Martin told The Arran Voice earlier this week that the housing association plans to review its allocation policy in August “to take cognisance of the changing needs of the Arran people.” In an upbeat note of optimism, he added, “Nothing is set in stone."

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