An Arran group hopes to provide affordable housing amidst fears that the island is losing people of working age because they cannot afford to live there.

The Arran Economic Group (AEG) is applying to the Scottish Government’s Rural and Islands and Housing Fund with the aim of building affordable new homes across three Lamlash sites before 2021.

The group’s application follows feasibility studies which identified a need for 200 additional homes.

Tom Tracy from AEG said: “When we started this process I think there had been no council housing built on Arran for over 30 years.

“The difference between house prices on Arran and prices in Ardrossan or anywhere else in North Ayrshire, is about 50 per cent.

“The island’s got an ageing population. I think about 30 per cent are over 65 so there’s a reduction in the working age population.

“It’s got a real high quality of life and people love coming here but that’s part of the problem. It’s only the government and housing associations and hopefully ourselves that can bridge that gap.

“Basically, the lack of houses is a threat to the viability of the island’s economy, it’s as simple as that. If you can’t get the working people in, you can’t get the economy going.

“If you were looking for the perfect place, three things would be present – high quality of life, good economy and a good balance of young and old. On Arran we have the first two, but the third is where we have problems. That’s way out of kilter as young people can’t afford to live here.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We enjoy a close working relationship with the Arran Economic Group and will continue to work with them to resolve the island’s housing challenges.

“We recently confirmed exciting plans to build more social housing on the island when we unveiled proposals to build the first council houses on Arran in a generation. Construction work will begin on the first of these homes at Brathwic Terrace, Brodick, later this year.

“This development is part of a wider approach to help increase the access to affordable housing on Arran, complementing our partnership work with Arran Economic Group to tackle empty and second homes on the island.”

Arran is a wonderful place to live and work, and there is a range of different work opportunities across the island. Having run a business on Arran for nearly 10 years I am acutely aware that people coming to live and work on Arran find it very difficult to find accommodation.

Timothy Billings, councillor for Ardrossan and Arran, added: “Arran has a falling working population and must attract people of working age to ensure the long-term survival of the island’s economy and community. Affordable housing is a vital part of that process, and the Arran Economic Group (AEG) has highlighted how acute Arran’s housing shortage is.

“North Ayrshire Council is building new homes, and the AEG has further housing proposals. Together, these will help make finding a home for working families easier. However, more needs to be done particularly in the island’s smaller communities. Also, it is essential that this new housing remains available to people working on Arran.”