COUNCIL chiefs should consider a Passivhaus style for any new housing built to address population issues in Argyll and Bute, a councillor has said.

Councillors unanimously decided to press ahead with a pilot project, involving the use of four ‘re-population zones’ at a meeting of the authority’s policy and resources committee earlier this month.

The scheme, which will include a one-year post of a settlement officer, is set to involve examining the issue of housing across Argyll and Bute.

And Helensburgh and Lomond South SNP councillor Richard Trail called for Passivhaus designs to be incorporated into any new housing plans.

He said: “If we are going to focus on housing, I think we should also try to oblige the Scottish Government.

“If we are building new affordable housing, especially in rural areas, they should be built to Passivhaus standards, which have minimal demand for heating in winter.

READ MORE: Plans under way to repopulate key areas of Argyll and Bute

“It has to happen if we are going to address climate change over the long term, and the sooner it does, the better.

“I know that building standards do not require builders to do this yet, but I think we should be doing it.”

Council leader, Kintyre and the Islands Liberal Democrat Councillor Robin Currie, responded: “I would not disagree, but I think it comes at a cost. These are much more expensive to build, but that is not a reason not to look to build them.

“Ten houses that I saw just outside Rothesay were built this way and they looked absolutely splendid.

“One thing I would say about the housing theme we are putting forward is that we are not just looking at social housing.

“A lot of work is being done by RSLs (registered social landlords) and ourselves, and the council is a strategic housing authority. But we want to look at other ways of supplying housing.”