Ambitious plans for housing in Orkney continue to move forward 

Fourteen brand new properties are due to be added to Orkney Islands Council’s housing stock as the Council continues to work with partners to progress ambitious plans for meeting Orkney’s housing needs.  

The six properties at Walliwall in Kirkwall and the eight properties on Cairston Road in Stromness are being purchased ‘off the shelf’ from private developers and will be allocated to those who are currently on the Council’s housing waiting list.  

The properties consist of four 4-bedroom properties and two 2-bedroom properties at Walliwall and four 3-bedroom properties and four 2-bedroom properties in Stromness. 

The Council’s Local Housing Strategy (2024) sets an ambitious target of 1,030 new homes over ten years, with a 60/40 split between affordable and private housing. Meeting this goal requires innovation, collaboration and finance with the target set to be delivered through a combination of the Council, Orkney Housing Association Limited (OHAL), Places for People Scotland, and Development Trusts, alongside private sector developers. 

The Council entered a landmark partnership in December with Places for People (PfP) Scotland to deliver up to 500 new homes over the next decade – becoming the first national housing association to build in the islands. 

Earlier this month a new housing development at Copland’s Road in Stromness was placed onto the Council’s Capital Programme, delivering 25 new general needs social rented homes, comprising a mix of one and two-bedroom properties.  

In addition, in November last year, it was announced that a funding package had been secured to increase the availability of student accommodation in Orkney by purchasing and renovating existing properties to provide an additional four bed spaces to be let to students attending UHI Orkney. 

The Council is also continuing to progress with plans for the demolition of the former Papdale Halls of Residence in Kirkwall. This demolition of the building could mark an important step in unlocking the site for future affordable housing development. 

Earlier this month, Orkney Housing Association announced a 41-home development at Walliwall in Kirkwall, with the construction work to be carried out by Orkney Builders (Contractors) Ltd.  

Further developments will be announced in due course, including the potential for some small developments in rural areas.   

Councillor Gwenda Shearer is Chair of the Education, Communities and Housing Committee.  She said: “Orkney Islands Council stated quite clearly last year that some bold and decisive action was needed to tackle the urgent need for more housing in Orkney.   

“Huge steps have been taken in the last six months – whether that be this purchase of new properties, the landmark partnership with Places for People, or the significant OHAL development at Walliwall – and there is much more to come besides.  I congratulate our housing team – and all our partner providers – on the substantial progress that is being made.”