1035 homes to be built over ten years – that’s the proposed plan in a new housing strategy being put forward in a public Consultation by Orkney Islands Council (OIC).

The homes would be across all sectors: private, rented and social housing, coming in at about 103 new builds in one year.

Councillor Gwenda Shearer , Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee explained:

“Housing is undoubtedly an issue locally and one that is raised time and again with elected members by our community.

“The Local Housing Strategy is an absolutely crucial document for the Council and its housing partners moving forward as we look to provide more homes, we look to ensure that those homes are quality warm homes and that there is access and choice for all.

“I’d encourage folk locally to take a look at the document and make their views known.”

Lack of affordable housing has come up again and again during elections and in a variety of forums. Many readers will be aware of the stream of posts on social media from people asking about what housing is available in Orkney : either as islanders returning, or being able to remain , and people wishing to relocate, or who have accepted employment in Orkney.

Orkney has a very successful tourist industry and it became very noticeable during the 2020 Covid lockdown when no one could visit that many properties are for that sector or are second homes.

The Orkney News recently published the article Housing Highlighted by Youth Parliament Members at Meeting with MSPs and Rural & Island Communities Facing a Housing Crisis

The public consultation in Orkney  covers a five year period from 2024 – 2029.

The consultation closes at the end of February: online survey 

Consultation documents 

• Local Housing Strategy Consultative Draft (2.4 MB)
• Local Housing Strategy EQIA (237 KB)
• Local Housing Strategy Island Communities Impact Assessment (527 KB)
• Local Housing Strategy PreSceening Notification (134 KB)