Moray Social Enterprise Network

  Supporting Social Enterprises in Moray

Down to Earth

Down to Earth Scottish Sustainable Self Build Housing Association Ltd aim to provide low cost land to enable the building of affordable, energy efficient and sustainable housing.

Contact: Kim Siu

Address: Balvlair Farmhouse, Dunphail, Forres, Moray, IV36 2QQ

Phone number: 07786225639

E-mail address: kim@downtoearth-tt.com

Web address: www.downtoearth-tt.com

Downloads: Recent Newsletter Adobe PDF 1.52MB 

Strategic Objectives

1. To build an innovative, pilot project of energy efficient houses, using a significant proportion of recycled and renewable materials.

2. To achieve the capacity to provide affordable housing for rent, shared and / or full ownership to support rural community regeneration.

3. To provide an information resource centre and form structured training and educational workshops.

4. To promote and raise social awareness of an environmental, sustainable and financially viable form of house construction and encourage wide scale replication.

The History of Down to Earth

Down to Earth Scottish Sustainable Self Build Housing Association Ltd (DtE) was formed in June 2006, by Kim Siu, Mark Thomson and F.W Fleming (FRICS); a non-profit distributing Self Build Housing Association, registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act (1965) with the Financial Service Authority.

In April 2007, we achieved designation as a Rural Housing Body, as approved by the Scottish Ministers under the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003.

DtE has searched for land with the Forestry Commission under The National Forest Land Scheme, Land for Affordable Housing and approached local land owners. Chris Morgan, Locate Architects has been assisting us with the sustainable design.

We have received a huge amount of support from HIE Moray and received financial support and backing from Scotland Unlimited and Lintel Trust.  We are currently working with Langstane Housing Association and Communities Scotland.

Help wanted: Help needed to form a steering committee. Need professionals of all shape and sizes to assist to drive the organisation forward. Also need willing participants to add to management committee. Urgent need of an efficient and willing secretary.