Lack of housing driving staff from Badenoch and Strathspey claim business leaders
The shortage of affordable housing in the strath means that some major employers are struggling to recruit and retain experienced staff, it is being claimed.
The business leaders were commenting on the back of a survey being carried out by the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust to establish the extent of the need for affordable housing in the Aviemore area.
The trust was asked to gauge the demand for the provision of mid-market rented properties within the proposed new town of An Camas Mòr, over the River Spey from Aviemore.
An Camas Mòr LLP is behind the development of up to 1,500 homes over the next 20 years to 25 years on Rothiemurchus Estate.
They said the findings of the survey have revealed that a shortage of reasonably priced housing at all levels is hindering employers’ ability to attract and retain staff.
So far, there have been responses to the surveys, launched last autumn, from businesses that collectively employ more than 500 staff in the Badenoch and Strathspey area.
Some local business leaders have also spoken out about the pressing need for more affordable housing in the catchment area for their workforce on the back of the survey.
David Mills is the mill manager at BSW Timber at Boat of Garten which currently employs 65 staff.
He said: "A major challenge for us is recruitment of staff who want to own their own home or simply want to rent.
"Several have to commute from outwith Badenoch and Strathspey because they cannot compete with the holiday home prices in the locality; we do not see that as sustainable.
"We offer our employees the opportunity to improve their skills base, however the housing shortage means that many have to move on and are lost to the area."
Wilderness Scotland, one of the country’s leading adventure travel companies, recently moved to the Aviemore area as part of their business growth plans.
They said the vision for the planned new community of An Camas Mòr, both in terms of potential new commercial premises and housing for its staff, was one of the reasons for them choosing to relocate.
Paul Easto, Chief Executive of Wilderness Scotland, said: "We have 12 office staff based year round in Aviemore and a further 20 seasonal staff living in the area.
"The availability of good quality housing that is not only affordable to buy but also affordable to maintain is a concern.
"Only two members of our office team have managed to find appropriate accommodation to buy since relocation 18 months ago.
"To attract and retain high-calibre staff, the current lack of suitable housing is an issue that must be addressed and I know this feeling is shared by many businesses throughout the Spey Valley."
Ms Sam Faircliffe, a director of the Cairngorm Brewery based in Aviemore, said: "Finding homes for potential employees that are affordable to either rent or buy on a part-ownership basis is the biggest human resources challenge I have. Rental prices have been a barrier to potential employees accepting positions."
"The current housing situation in this area is not sustainable and actually not fair for people wanting to live and work here."
However, conservationists have said that the introduction of a residency criteria and not more mass housing is the answer.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? IS MORE HOUSING NEEDED IN THE STRATH? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW.
For the full story and more on the call for a residency criteria see the latest Strathy now on sale