Luing Development Framework
We have been delighted to work with the people of Luing on forming a long-term, sustainable vision for development on the island. WTA were appointed alongside Narro Associates, Morham & Brotchie, Oban and the Paul Hogarth Company to consult with the local community, key stakeholders and land owners on identifying a whole spectrum of projects that could help to deliver secure housing, local employment and improved resilience and sustainability for the island and how these projects might be integrated sensitively and effectively into this special landscape. The Isle of Luing Development Framework was completed in 2023 and is currently in the final stages of being adopted as Argyll and Bute Council’s first community-led Place Plan; delivering community-driven planning policy for the island.
The Isle of Luing is a place rich in natural beauty, wildlife and history. It is a place valued for its peacefulness and serenity by both islanders and visitors whilst simultaneously being celebrated for its role as an active, working landscape with a unique heritage. Like many of Scotland’s islands the benefits and opportunities that Luing’s environment, resources, history and culture offer, exist alongside distinct challenges posed by its island context. Much can be learnt on potential responses to these challenges from other island environments but equally no two islands are the same. Rising to the challenge of ensuring a thriving, sustainable future for Luing and its community means developing responses that are rooted in an understanding of this island, its people, environment, place, past and present.
The Isle of Luing Development Framework is a product of the knowledge, ideas and expertise of those that know and care deeply for the island, both residents and visitors. Through the collective engagement involved in this process Luing’s community have set out a compelling vision of the future for this special place and have taken the first steps towards making this vision a reality.
The Development Framework has been formed through a series of consultation exercises, feeding into design development by a team of architects, engineers, cost consultants and landscape designers. It sets out a community vision for a thriving, sustainable future for the island and its people. It describes the hopes, dreams, concerns and priorities of the community at this time and presents a framework of potential projects and potential sites within which development might seek to address these over the coming years.
The Development Framework also defines areas and aspects of Luing where development should be contained or avoided, highlighting what should be protected, maintained and conserved on the island. Where opportunities for development have been identified, it sets out the parameters within which development should be carried out sensitively and in keeping with the special character of Luing’s natural, working and built environments.
We felt it was important that the Development Framework work as a tool for considering the contexts in which development might be taken forward, and that it should not be seen as a Master Plan. It is hoped that the spirit of community engagement that has formed the Framework will continue as decisions are made on which projects are progressed and how these should evolve as they are delivered. You can find information on the full Development Framework Plans and the accompanying Strategic Report we produced here.
The Development Framework covers Luing as a whole but highlights in particular the settlement areas which present the greatest opportunity for sensitive, well-connected, sustainable and affordable community development.
One of the most important points highlighted by the many people who contributed to the creation of this Framework was the interrelated nature of the issues that the community hopes to address. Housing and reversing rural depopulation cannot be considered separately from the island economy and jobs, or connectivity and public transport. Addressing climate change and championing sustainability goes hand in hand with questions of how Luing’s unique geology and ecology are protected and celebrated and how the island’s existing built environment is treated.
The Development Framework examines the interconnections and relationships between the projects identified, potential sites, island infrastructure, climate, land ownership and wider policy. Successful delivery of any of the projects will be dependant on taking a holistic approach to context considerations.
This work is envisaged as the first step towards delivery of the projects covered. We look forward to seeing how the people of Luing take their vision forward.
The Isle of Luing Development Framework
Team
Client: The Isle of Luing Community Trust
Quantity Surveyor : Morham & Brotchie, Oban
Structural Engineer: Narro Associates
Landscape Architects: The Paul Hogarth Company