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Yeah they’ve been really supportive of things. Because of the all electric systems/fuel poverty context up here there are a lot of properties with turbines or solar panels. A lot got in early and got on the feed in tariffs so also have a grid connection. When talking to folk there doesn’t seem to be any fully off grid houses I’m aware of. Loads of people really intrigued by how it all will work though (me included!).
We’ve found everyone to be really supportive of us being on island and the house build too. Think they’re quite happy that we’re not a retired couple just taking up another property without putting anything back into the community. There’s way too many second houses and holiday homes up here, or people just retiring up here after selling an expensive property south. This means there is a major shortage of properties for residents and when properties do go up for sale locals can’t afford the same as someone moving up here. A large percentage of properties that go on the market do this dance where they’re sold to someone rich down south unseen, they come up and see it, realise it’s a lot of work or they don’t want to live here and then put it back on the market, but more expensive so they don’t lose out, making it even less affordable for people here. There’s currently something like 900 on the housing waiting list up here and no houses..
With us being in our 30s, me working at a local charity and my partner working at a local renewable firm that’s sat well with a lot of the older islanders. I met most of them when I was delivering food boxes to vulnerable folk on island during lockdown and think that set us in good stead while we were new here. Any trades we could hire from on island we did as well. They’re all fantastic folk and do great work, but it also means that most of the money from our build is going to local families and that is looked well upon too.
@cozey yeah I had a wee read at that piece, just to make sure these projects benefit locals now instead of generating private income..
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Creek_Tebsin
Quick question - been following the thread as this sort of engineering is my thing - How have the people on the island taken it? Is this concept your going with new to them or have some got it already?
Not sure if you've mentioned it before but the build has progressed now