Hansard

We have talked about 10 per cent being the minimum. That is key. I meet local authorities and economic development partners in that regard. We need to identify the right houses in the right places. We would like to deliver a minimum of 10 per cent, but if we can achieve more than that, that is fantastic. That will require closer working, as is mentioned in the action plan. The target that has been set is realistic. We have proved that through our delivery. However, if we were to deliver more than that, that would be great.

I talked about the land for housing. We know that the availability of suitable land in the right locations is vital to enable the delivery of more homes where they are required. Building on the range of activities that are already under way, the plan commits to working with public sector agencies in considering the land and building assets that they hold that might be appropriate for housing. About two or three months ago, we held a round-table meeting in Perth with about 10 stakeholders, and we discussed that key issue.

Our national planning framework 4 sets out policies that provide strong support for sustainable rural development. That includes a new national planning policy for rural homes, which will encourage, promote and facilitate the delivery of more high-quality, affordable and sustainable rural homes. The plan recognises that, alongside delivery of new homes for our rural and island communities, it is important that local authorities have the tools available to allow them to make the best use of existing housing.

I want to touch on second homes and short-term lets. I know that such issues are emotive and that we have debated them previously. Second homes and short-term lets can bring benefits to those who own and use them, as well as to the tourism businesses and local economies that they support. However, where those kinds of ownership patterns impact on the availability of homes to meet local needs and on community sustainability, we are considering what additional powers could support local areas to take action. That issue was mentioned to me on numerous occasions during the tour that I undertook in the summer. We intend to introduce legislation that will give local authorities the power to charge up to a 100 per cent premium on second homes.

There is now a new legal requirement for short-term lets to be licensed, which provides assurance to guests that short-term lets meet safety standards and that the people who provide them are suitable. That has brought the regulation of short-term lets in line with the regulation of other accommodation sectors such as hotels, caravan parks and houses in multiple occupation. The regulations also provide local areas with the option to apply additional conditions to address local issues when short-term lets cause problems for neighbours and residents.

Touching on the point that Rachael Hamilton made, I want to say a wee bit more on empty homes. We know that every empty home that is brought back into use can make a big difference to the sustainability of communities, and we are committed to working with the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, local authorities and owners to bring more empty homes in rural and island areas back into use. The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and local authorities’ dedicated empty homes officers continue to deliver great results, with more than 9,000 homes returned to use.

The plan recognises that community-led housing plays an incredibly important role in our broad approach to deliver more affordable homes in our rural and island communities. The enabling role of organisations such as South of Scotland Community Housing and the Communities Housing Trust—both of which I have met, among others—continues to be vital in supporting communities to bring forward housing projects. The plan includes a joint funding package with the Nationwide Foundation of almost £1 million over three years to the Communities Housing Trust and South of Scotland Community Housing to enable them to continue to support rural and island communities, to grow their knowledge and capacity and to deliver more affordable homes to meet the needs of communities.

The action plan touches on what we need to do, but it is all about collaboration and partnership. The delivery of the ambitions in the action plan cannot be achieved solely by the Scottish Government; it will require commitment, collaboration and dedication by a wide range of organisations, including Government agencies, local authorities and others. Private sector organisations also have a vital role to play, as employers and businesses with land and assets, and I have met Homes for Scotland on that issue. I know that some businesses are already engaging in providing quality homes for their employees.