Tombreck – Creating housing and employment opportunities by regenerating a farm
Key contact: Sue Manning
Address: Tombreck, Lawers, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2PB
Telephone: 01567 820500
Email: suemanning@tombreck.co.uk
Web address: www.tombreck.co.uk
In a nutshell
We established a community action group to take forward the regeneration of Tombreck, a small farm on Loch Tayside in Highland Perthshire. We work towards developing affordable housing for sale and rent, regenerating the land and developing employment opportunities. All the work we undertake is underpinned by a strong commitment to sustainable rural development.
The issues
Some time ago, Tombreck was able to house and sustain many families. In the late 1980s, the farm became neglected and run down. In 1997, when the farm came under new management the land was under used and the farm buildings and cottages were derelict. The farm was clearly not being used to its potential.
At the same time, people who wanted to stay in the area were having difficulties finding affordable housing for rent or sale. With 240 acres of land, Tombreck had the capacity to solve this.
How we got started
Initiated by the owner of the land, the Tombreck Action Group was established in 2003 by a group of local people. Some had heard about the plans that the owner had for the land through word of mouth and wanted to become part of its regeneration. Together, we shared the same desire – to encourage sustainable use of the land.
We developed an overall plan that we wanted to deliver. We applied widely for funding. Our main funders include:
• Perth and Kinross Council – for example through Farmhouse Improvement Grant
• Communities Scotland – through a range of funding streams including the New Ideas Fund and Rural Empty Properties Grant
• The Lighthouse
• Big Lottery.
In 2005 we received an award through Communities Scotland’s Futurebuilders Scotland fund. This meant that we were able to employ a Development Officer, to make sure that our work pressed forward. In 2006, we contracted a community and business consultant to help us identify and evaluate options for the farm, set out costs and develop a business plan.
We also needed more people to help us to deliver some of our goals. We contacted World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (known as WWOOF) – an organisation that links people who want to volunteer on organic farms with people who are looking for volunteer help. In return for helping us regenerate the farm, volunteers receive meals, accommodation and the opportunity to learn. We have had about 14 volunteers come stay with us.
We also wanted to involve the wider local community in our work. In 2007, we set up a limited company – Loch Tayside Community Interest Company – and started networking with a range of communities around the area. At the moment, we have 112 members.
What we do
We want to regenerate the farm in a sustainable way. We have therefore come up with a plan that involves three elements:
Providing affordable housing has been a priority and we have focused on this. So far we have refurbished two houses and converted two parts of a farm building to provide affordable accommodation. We have also sold two plots of land which will enable people to build their own accommodation. The plots were sold at market value, which was affordable to local people. The sales also generated valuable income. We now have 12 people living here and more refurbishments are planned.
Our plans to offer the wider community employment opportunities and community facilities are now being realised. We are about to launch the ‘Big Shed’ project that will offer people flexible space to deliver small scale businesses and projects. Possible users of the Big Shed include:
• A bakery
• Accountants’ office
• A market gardening company
• An engineering and motor repair company.
The construction of the Big Shed will incorporate a ‘Local Skills Training Programme’ that will teach local contractors and builders eco-friendly building techniques and practices.
We also aim to make better use of the land that will not be used for housing. We will look at bringing the fields into production and will encourage people to set up their own projects for using the land. For example, one couple that are moving to the farm are interested in developing a commercial garden.
Our outcomes
We have provided people with affordable housing and people are able to enjoy living on a farm. The people that now live here have been very closely involved in the refurbishments and the overall work that we do. This has benefited some people individually. It has given them a sense of purpose and feeling that they now belong to a community. Several have set up their own projects, such as the ‘Loch Tay Food Chain’, that promotes and encourages locally produced food.
Our developments and projects are underpinned by environmentally friendly approaches and renewable energy. We aim to be eco friendly and we are proud of what we have achieved so far. We use as many local materials as possible. For example, one of the buildings that we have converted into office space has used sheep’s wool and timber from the farm. In the future, we hope to run courses on how to create eco-friendly homes, which we hope will have a big impact on future building in the area.
When our ‘Big Shed’ project is up and running it will benefit those who have limited access to services, employment opportunities and social networks. It will also benefit small organisations which need affordable office space and facilities. It will be a focal point for socialising, working and learning.
One great thing – Sharing the land
When the land was inherited it was clear to the owner that something should be done to make it productive again. He could have done a number of things, but decided that the future of the land should be steered by local people. We have benefitted greatly from that decision. By forming the Action Group, we have been involved in all the decisions that are made regarding the farm.
At the same time, our involvement, has benefitted the farm and will progressively benefit the wider community. Our hard work and commitment to the farm has meant that the farm will be regenerated. We think that this is a win-win situation.
Lessons learnt
• Having a clear structure helps. Setting up the Action Group formalised our activities. It encourages commitment, and responsibilities and decision-making can be more easily shared. We also thought that it helped our funding applications. We had clear aims and targets and could evidence activities with written documentation.
• Re-development takes time and energy. For some, this can be frustrating. Point out the things that have been done – even the smaller changes – so that people can see progress.
• Advertise your work and try to make it known by as many people and agencies as possible. We learnt that the more agencies heard about our work the easier it was to continue to get funding.
• It really helps to have a dedicated development officer. With someone working full time on the project, it gave people a clear sense that the work was moving forward and that our work was meaningful.
• Having the consultant in place taught us valuable lessons and we are now able to do many things ourselves instead of having to ask others to help us. The consultant, for example, knew a lot about what grants were available and the people to contact if you needed any help.
What next?
We have just started the development of the next plot offering affordable housing. And we are pressing on with our plans for the Big Shed.
