Comment posted Scottish Parliament Rural affairs, Environment and Climate Change Committee on Gigha by Lowry.
I’m pleased that Easdale Island wasn’t included in the list of community buy outs. If ever there was an example of how not to do it, and an utter waste of public money, this is it.
A buy out of land that seems to have benefited only the original owner and, at the time, one particular community trust director who managed to secure himself an option to purchase a significant piece right in the middle.
Following objections from residents, the A&B planners and Scottish Government reporter agreed it was not a suitable site for development. The result is that the community trust bought an area of uselss land (with a piece in the middle belonging to someone else) for a large sum of money, that the residents didn’t want to buy in the first place as they did not favour major development.
After an investigation even HIE agreed the rules for the community purchase were not properly followed. In my view, the whole affair was shocking.
Recent comments by Lowry
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‘Buffoon’ – as suggested by Simon I believe – seems to fit both personae. - First Minister’s choice not to condemn mob behaviour proves Farage point
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However, sometimes they do go a bit wonky – I’ve seen them add several at one time and then on a couple of occasions they have subtracted ticks. It did happen last night. To be honest, I only see it as a bit of fun so don’t feel it’s anything to get worked up about. - James Robb, as the cordite clears
So, you condone a protest that required the police to protect someone; that person had to stay in a place of safety until a police van could provide transport; a taxi driver was unable to provide transport because of potential damage to his vehicle; and where two people were arrested. What a strange person you are! - Walsh to lead all but Lib Dems, Conservatives and George Freeman
Hey ho – off we go. Feet up and pass the popcorn please.
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I wonder if members of the Committee were told that the number of dairy farmers on Gigha has fallen by 25% since the community buy out ? There were 4 milk producers then , now the largest has given up and there are three.
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Well, if there was ever any doubt previously it has now evaporated. Islay for Ever IS Kintyre 1: note the same concern for the producers of lactose products.
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Islay for ever, what do you think is the linkage between the community buy-out on the one hand, and the number of milk producers on the other?
And how different is a 25% reduction from the general trend across the rest of Scotland over the last 10 years? Maybe 25% is a success, if there is a 30% reduction everywhere else!
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- and if the biggest milk producer has given up, is that farm now growing weeds, or is there an increase in the production of something else on Gigha; care to enlighten us, Ife?
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I’m pleased that Easdale Island wasn’t included in the list of community buy outs. If ever there was an example of how not to do it, and an utter waste of public money, this is it.
A buy out of land that seems to have benefited only the original owner and, at the time, one particular community trust director who managed to secure himself an option to purchase a significant piece right in the middle.
Following objections from residents, the A&B planners and Scottish Government reporter agreed it was not a suitable site for development. The result is that the community trust bought an area of uselss land (with a piece in the middle belonging to someone else) for a large sum of money, that the residents didn’t want to buy in the first place as they did not favour major development.
After an investigation even HIE agreed the rules for the community purchase were not properly followed. In my view, the whole affair was shocking.
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“Argyll already has a cluster of exciting community forest buyouts from private estates and from Forestry Commission Scotland – like … the initiative by the Colglen (Colintraive and Glendaruel) communities’ development trust at Stronafian Forest.”
They’ve got the right to buy it but they still haven’t yet got all the finances/bought it out have they?
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Some things take time – the Machihanish Airbase Community Company has been exemplary in the way it has simply persisted through all of the obstacles tp get to where it wanted to be.
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All credit to MACC, and hopes for a good future.
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