Rural Payments and Services

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon has announced that for those crofters who already have a contractual commitment under the Croft House Grant Scheme, we will be changing the claims process. The change is for this financial year only, up to 31 March 2023.

The intention is to release the same amount of funds as contracted, but to do so earlier in the build or improvement in order to help crofters complete the work. This change is happening in three stages, and at each stage the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) will write out to the relevant crofters and explain how to proceed.

The first two stages are already underway. During October, RPID has been contacting those crofters who have already submitted their first or second CHG claim. These crofters will now be able to claim up to a maximum of £33,000 before obtaining a completion certificate, so long as the costs incurred are equal to or greater than the value of the grant.

In December and January, RPID will contact those crofters who have not yet submitted a claim. RPID are also looking at reducing the minimum cost needed to be incurred before a crofter can submit a first claim, and removing the need for the build to be wind and watertight at first or second claim stage.

This action is being taken to try to provide some relief of the financial burden on those crofters building and improving their croft homes.

More generally, the CHG has a scoring criteria which allows officials to prioritise those crofters that are most in need. We would advise everyone to read through the guidance, scoring criteria, and terms and conditions before submitting an application.

The Scottish Government has a track record of investing in crofter housing. Since 2007, it has approved over £24 million in funding, helping to build and improve over 1090 croft houses.