Chris Urges SSEN to Expand Housing Initiative into Stirling and Strathallan
Share on Social Media
Chris has urged SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks) to expand a recently announced housing initiative into the Stirling and Strathallan constituency.
His request in the House of Commons follows SSEN’s Housing Our Workers Strategy, published in October 2024, which outlines plans to build 1,000 homes in rural communities across northern Scotland. These homes will initially accommodate workers involved in major infrastructure projects before being repurposed to benefit rural communities facing a housing crisis.
Chris welcomes this initiative, stating: “This scheme is to be congratulated; however, it is the Scottish Government that failed to grasp control of the rural housing crisis, which is acting to a major barrier to infrastructure projects in rural areas, and having a knock-on effect to other local businesses.”
The SSEN strategy outlines participating council areas, including Perth & Kinross Council; however, Stirling Council is notably absent, despite key SSEN projects taking place in the far north of the Council area.
During topical questions to Ministers from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Chris called on the minister to urge SSEN to “expand the scheme into my constituency, where we have key projects around the communities of Killin, Lochearnhead, Tyndrum and Crianlarich.”
Michael Shanks, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, agreed with Chris, stating that he is right to highlight “the importance not just of delivering on energy projects but the wider economic benefits from building infrastructure.” He went on to say, “He is right that to deliver these projects, we need to see investment in rural communities by the Scottish Government.”
Watch the full question below👇
Chris stated, “The UK Government is pressing ahead with its plans to make this country’s energy supply more secure and sustainable. SSEN’s scheme is a great example of the positive knock-on effects of these infrastructure projects, and I am pleased the company is taking such a wholistic approach which recognises the housing strain faced in many parts of rural Scotland.
“Given the ongoing pressure on housing, and the Scottish Government’s failure to invest in rural housing I will be highlighting to SSEN the housing issues across Killin, Lochearnhead, Tyndrum and Crianlarich, where SSEN have significant historic links and where they have plans for future operations and asking them to look at the possibility of expanding their excellent housing programme into Stirling and Strathallan.”
Chris has an upcoming meeting with SSEN to discuss their Housing Our Workers Strategy. You can read the full strategy here.
Share on Social Media
KEEP UPDATED
GET IN TOUCH
I can help constituents with various issues, such as benefits, employment law, energy policy, taxation, and visas.
Please use the contact form to get in touch with me. Please remember to provide as many details as possible, including your name, address and full details of your issue.
Additionally, use this form to access details about our online and in-person surgery events.