The Baptist Manse was bought in January 2021 by CCDC with the support of the Scottish Land Fund and the Colonsay & Oransay Community Fund.
We would like to extent heartfelt thanks to the Baptist Union of Scotland (who agreed to sell the property to us) for their support in ensuring that the Manse continues to benefit the community here.
In the summer months of 2021 it housed a local family in need of short-term accommodation.
Later in the year the lease was subsequently taken up by TSL Contractors Ltd to provide accommodation for their staff working on the affordable housing development in Scalasaig.
Since then a young Colonsay family rented the property as a temporary home while they completed their self-build property on a CCDC community-owned croft.
CCDC is now preparing a modest refurbishment project for the property, after which it will be available for rent again.
It is hoped that the asset will contribute to the provision of secure and affordable accommodation as well as providing an opportunity to create an enterprise of benefit to the community.
As there are many ways in which the house & site could be developed to these ends, CCDC undertook a community consultation early 2022.
We thank all who participated in looking ahead to the future use and development of the house and site. CCDC received 26 written responses and 10 people visited the house in the ‘Open doors’ opportunity.
The thoughts and ideas received are much appreciated as they will guide the investigative work ahead in considering a range of long-term options.
