February 2014

Background

• Scottish Government funding

• Scotland wide rural programme

• Partnership delivery by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and BIG Fund

• £9m over 4 years to March 2016

Aim

Supporting rural communities to become more resilient and

sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land

assets.

Projects supported

That can contribute to the overallsustainability of a community or

enable retention/provision of key local services through the

acquisition of land or land assets

What can be funded?

• Land to enable local economic development

• Land for affordable housing• Land for amenity, tourism and heritage

development• Strategic assets – shop, fuel stations

Who can apply?

Organisational criteria:

Community led/controlled Social purpose Open membership Non-profit distributing

Funding levels

• Grants from £10,000 to £750,000 • Capital grants and revenue funding for

up to 2 years is available• Up to 95% of total project costs covered

Min. 5% other funding required

Potential support for housing

Likely scenarios include:• Land purchase for the development of

community-owned rented housing

• Acquisitions that include a housing element e.g. purchase of a whole estate

Possible scenarios

• Land purchase by the community – development by a housing association; requires clear rational for the community as purchaser.

• Land purchase to create housing plots or serviced sites for private self-build; likely to require a rural housing burden

Successful awardsMull and Iona Community Trust• Proposal to purchase 2 plots near Ulva

Ferry. • One plot to develop 2 semi-detached

rental homes• Donated plot to be sold with Rural

Housing Burden to provide capital • Total grant £149,400

Successful awardsMull and Iona Community Trust• Proposal to purchase 2 plots near Ulva

Ferry. • One plot to develop 2 semi-detached

rental homes• Donated plot to be sold with Rural

Housing Burden to provide capital • Total grant £149,400

Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust

• Purchase of Bonar Bridge Post Office• Only full-time PO in area• Premises include flat and garden, shop,

PO and sorting office• Potential for additional housing • Total grant £158,800

Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust

• Purchase of Bonar Bridge Post Office• Only full-time PO in area• Premises include flat and garden, shop,

PO and sorting office• Potential for additional housing • Total grant £158,800

Supporting information

• Evidence of housing need • Clear demand for the units to be provided• Appropriate planning status• Availability of services• Indication of development funding • Proposals for on-going management• Use of rural housing burden to protect

affordability

Single Stage Application

Phone or email BIG

Eligible projects referred to HIE

Complete and submit application with SLF advisor support

SLF committee meeting a number of times a year

Application awarded or rejected

Getting started

See further guidance from BIG website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scottishlandfund

E-mail a summary of your project to: enquiries.scotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk

Call on 0300 123 7110

Questions?