Places for People Scotland has appointed Michael Gilmour Associates as architect for around 260 homes on two sites in Orkney, Scotland, as reported by Housing Digital, a step that matters to building and architecture professionals because it begins feasibility and design on a large island housing programme.

Places for People Scotland is part of Places for People, a national housing association, and Housing Digital reported that Orkney Islands Council is its partner in a programme to deliver up to 500 affordable homes.

Michael Gilmour Associates (MGA) was chosen after a competitive tender, Housing Digital reported, and will assess planning requirements, site constraints, costs and deliverability for around 60 affordable rent homes at Papdale Halls and around 200 affordable sale and rent homes at Weyland. Stephen Pirie, director at MGA Architecture, said in the announcement that the firm has worked with Places for People on Chapelton of Elsick, Tornagrain and Longniddry.

Andrew Usher, group managing director for regeneration and development at Places for People, said in the announcement, as reported by Housing Digital: “This is an important step, but there is still work to do before we can start building.”

The structural driver is the council’s housing target, with the Orcadian reporting that its 2024 Local Housing Strategy sets a target of 1,030 new homes over ten years, split 60/40 between affordable and private housing.

For the sector, the timing matters because the Orcadian reported that demolition of the former Papdale Halls of Residence is due to start next January, and that the site could be cleared by spring 2028, making way for an anticipated 60 affordable homes.

The broader implication for the sector is that an island housing programme moving through architect appointment, demolition and planning could create sequential work for designers and contractors across Kirkwall, though Places for People has said work remains before building can start.