Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has initiated a formal consultation to identify available land for residential development as part of the preparation for the new Outer Hebrides Housing Land Audit (OHHLA).

The local authority is seeking submissions from landowners, developers, trusts, and agents to help build a pipeline of sustainable housing locations across the islands.

The audit is a statutory requirement under the Local Development Plan (LDP) process and aligns with the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). Specifically, the initiative supports Policy 16 (Quality Homes), which aims to facilitate the delivery of high-quality, affordable, and sustainable housing that meets the diverse needs of Scottish communities.

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The OHHLA will serve as a monitoring tool to track the delivery of housing land and inform future delivery programmes. While the Comhairle is eager to identify sites for both private and affordable housing, officials clarified that the inclusion of a site in the audit does not guarantee future development or formal planning commitment. All identified land will remain subject to standard planning procedures and further feasibility assessments.

Interested parties are required to submit a completed site template along with a detailed site plan to the local development plan team. The deadline for all submissions is 23 January 2026.

Following the consultation period, the Comhairle will assess the suitability of the proposed sites with the goal of publishing the updated OHHLA online by Spring 2026. The findings of this audit will be instrumental in shaping the Evidence Report and the broader Local Development Plan for the Outer Hebrides.