Wednesday 5 December 2012

50kw wind turbine planned

The Trust has submitted a planning application to install a 50kw wind turbine on Scarista common grazings. The Harbon turbine will be approx 33m to blade tip which is about twice the height of 2 existing 5kw turbines in the area.

The Trust is proposing this project in order to assist it in becoming self-sustaining with a predicted revenue of £45,000/year before running costs and borrowing charges. If planning permission is granted it is hoped to install the turbine in summer 2013.

Community Enterprise Centre Unveiled

The Trust unveiled plans for a major development at Rubha Romagaidh near Horgabost at a community meeting on Tues 13th November. The well-attended meeting with over 40 local people present heard of plans for a community enterprise centre, affordable housing, plots for self-build, community horticulture and hook-ups for camper vans; all potentially powered by a 50kw wind turbine.

The outline plans were presented by Alan Dickson of Rural Design architects from Skye who have the task of delivering a muti-use site that will be a keystone development in regenerating the local area. The presentation was well-received and a number of suggestions were given by the community, with 76% of the respondents rating the project as either "excellent" or "good". People were asked to rate the indivdual elements of the project and the highest scores were received for the wind turbine, community space, affordable housing and business space.

Another meeting will be organised with the community in January to present more detailed proposals before a planning application is submitted to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

New Administrator in Post

The Trust is pleased that Linda Green has started work as administrator for the Trust. She will be working 1-2 days per week handling general administration including crofting issues, invoicing and payments etc. Any general enquiries for the Trust can be directed to Linda. Her email is admin@westharristrust.org

Wednesday 12 September 2012

Designing a Better Future

The Trust has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of architects Rural Design of Skye to carry out feasibility and design work on a site at Rubha Romagaidh, Horgabost. There is currently a severe lack of opportunities for new housing, business and community enterprise, and development of this unique site looking across to Taransay could address these.


Looking down on the site (centre) and across to Taransay
Options for the 3ha site include business/community space, housing and community horticulture. Rural Design will work with the Trust and the local community to develop a scheme that addresses community needs while also respecting the local landscape and National Scenic Area within which the development will be sited. The Trust is looking for the highest quality of design and Rural Design have a track record of producing quality designs in sensitive locations.

There will be full community consultation throughout the process and it is intended to produce a site masterplan and apply for planning permission in principle before the end of the year. If this is granted it is hoped to develop detailed plans with a view to commencing building works in 2014.

Thursday 16 August 2012

Administrator vacancy


Administrator (Part-time)

 The West Harris Trust is seeking to recruit an administrator for general duties including maintaining records, processing invoices, handling general enquiries and crofting administration. The post will involve flexible working for an average 1.5 days/week

Salary: £16,700 (pro rata)

Closing Date: 24th August

For further information on the post and to apply please contact:


Duncan MacPherson, Commercial Development Manager, West Harris Trust, Seallam, Northton, Isle of Harris HS3 3JA Tel: 01859 520785 dev@westharristrust.org

The West Harris Trust is registered as a charity in Scotland - SC041920

Tuesday 19 June 2012

JMT Beach Clean

Thanks to all who the volunteers who took part in the first John Muir Trust work party in West Harris. The team of about 15 came on Friday 1st June, having spent the rest of the week doing footpath repair and other work for the North Harris Trust. Their task with us was to clear an area of shoreline at Aird Grodanais (beyond Luskentyre beach) of decades of rubbish - mainly plastics and ropes. The team worked at a prodigious rate, gathering about 15 big bags of waste and then dragging them to 1 point on the shore for uplift.

One long time volunteer unfortunately slipped on the shingle and fell awkwardly, dislocating 2 fingers. However after a trip to hospital in Stornoway to have them put back in place he was able to drive his campervan that evening, showing that Borderers are about as tough as Islanders!

 Thanks are also due to the squad from the Marine Harvest shore base in Ardhasaig who collected the rubbish from the shore on 19th June.

Thursday 17 May 2012

West Harris Weaver is a Face of British Fashion


Harris Tweed has seen a huge increase in demand over the last few years, nationally and globally. As well as being awarded an MBE Last year, Mr DJ Mackay - Luskentyre Tweed Company on Harris, is featured on one of the flags created in honour of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and to celebrate all things GREAT about the British Fashion Industry. The flags can be seen on Oxford Street. The flags "pay homage to the unsung heroes that put the GREAT into Great British Craft and Design - Find out more about the Faces in the Flags below".




We are delighted with Donald John and Maureen's success over the years. 

For more information on this iconic cloth -which can only be produced on crofts in the Outer Hebrides - please look at the links below.


Wednesday 16 May 2012

Graduate Employment Opportunity


Graduate Business Development Officer
 

The West Harris Trust is seeking to recruit a graduate for a 12 month period to develop tourism-related business enterprises to improve revenue generation opportunities from the area’s world-class landscape assets.
 

Salary: £17,000
 

Closing Date: 31st May 2012


For further information on the post and to apply online please go to:
 




 This post is part of the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme and part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and European Regional Development Fund.

                                 


Housing for Rent/Shared Ownership

The West Harris Trust is planning to build a minimum of 6 houses in partnership with other bodies for rent or shared ownership. In order to develop plans we need to know the level of likely demand and the sizes of households to be catered for. If you would like the opportunity to live in a rented or shared equity house on the west side of south Harris please register your interest by contacting:

Duncan MacPherson

Tel: 01859 520785      Mob: 07833 246779        dev@westharristrust.org

Thursday 8 March 2012

Turning the Tide

The following press release was issued today (8th March 2012) to demonstrate progress in regenerating the community and to continue the campaign to save Seilebost School ahead of a judicial review of the Scottish Govt decision to prevent its planned closure by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

WEST HARRIS PRESS RELEASE

 West Harris Trust the community owner of the West Harris Estates purchased from the Scottish Government in January 2010 is pleased to report that the decline in population has been halted. As at today’s date two years from the buyout 16 houses are either being built, at the planning stage or converted from holiday homes to permanent residence.  These 16 houses based on current commitments will bring 30 people to the West Side by 2013. In addition the Trust is working with partners to deliver 6 houses for rent, with further developments in the pipeline.

Quote from Murdo Mackay Chair of West Harris Trust

There has been a marked change in West Harris since the community purchased the estate in 2010; while we can not take credit for all these positive developments I believe that the process of community ownership has crated a new air of optimism.

David Cameron Chair of Community Land Scotland said:

 "It is simply great to see positive news on population and housing coming out of West Harris. Similarly, the projected figures for the increased school role more than justifies the decision to keep Seilebost School open.

The beginning of the turnaround in the fortunes of West Harris, after decades of decline, is down to the community taking control of their own future through the purchase of their land. When local people take control, their priorities are all about the community and its long term future, and housing for families to become resident is fundamental to that future. This shows the power of community ownership in economic regeneration, stimulating population growth and providing the basis for a sustainable future."

By the end of 2015 (the five years requested by West Harris Trust in making their submission to the Comhairle on the consultation on the closure of Shelibost School), we confidently predict that as promised the population of West Harris will have increased significantly. Most importantly the couples already committed have 9 children; by 2015 we hope this number will be significantly increased ensuring a viable future for Seilebost School.

Angus MacNeil MP said;

“I am pleased to support the community owned West Harris Estates and the community of West Harris in their attempts to keep Shelibost School open.

“This is an important time for the community with 16 houses being built or at the planning stage, I feel that every chance should be given for the community to grow and thrive again.

“The primary school at Shelibost is seen as an important part of the community jigsaw; the school is in a very attractive setting, if not the most attractive settings for any primary school in Scotland and would surely be a draw for families returning or indeed families moving for the first time to have their children educated there.  Certainly as a former teacher it would be a great school to work in.

 “I do hope the community and the SNP Government are successful in keeping Shelibost School open, despite the legal action from the local authority.”

The Trust firmly believes that alongside housing, economic development is essential, in the two years from the buyout ten expressions of interest have been received for business proposals on the West Side. Based on these initial proposals a total of twenty four jobs could be created.

Comment from Robert Macleod Chair Shelibost Parent Council

Shelibost school was (uniquely) singled out in recent reports by HMIe regarding the closure of many schools across the Western Isles. The report recognised the work and plans of West Harris Trust with the school and took cognisance of the fragility and interdependence of the school and the socio economic regeneration. As the whole of Harris looks to find a strategic road map to economic sustainability coupled to a broad educational experience it is apparent that the impact in these more remote areas is much more dramatic than at main centres of populous. The parent councils of Shelibost and Leverburgh schools continue to work together to stem the perpetual decline of the value placed on the schools via reduction in services such as specialist PE, which has ceased in recent months.

Parent Rhoda MacLeod adds “ All we want is support for the on-going work of the School and the West Harris Trust and would urge those sitting on the Judicial review to carefully consider the impact the closure of Shelibost school will have on a  vibrant and forward thinking community

It is ironic that on the 13th March 2012 the local council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are taking the Scottish Government to court for not allowing the closure of Shelibost school which is at the heart of the Trust plans to strengthen the community. The Education Minister correctly concluded that the Comhairle had not considered the viable alternative to closure; the Comhairle dismissed these plans in 2010 as aspirational. We can now show that the plans are coming to fruition. Quoting from that submission:

In conclusion we urge the Comhairle to give West Harris five additional years to grow our community; if we succeed the Tarbert school will not have sufficient capacity to cope with demand from the catchment area.

More importantly West Harris will be a beacon to other communities in Scotland that it is possible to reverse population trends and create sustainable communities of which you as the local authority charged with creating sustainable communities should be proud.

“Where there is no vision the people perish”

Quote from Neil Campbell Secretary West Harris Trust

Recent predictions by the Registrar General of a 30% drop in the ‘school age’ population by 2035 demonstrates the chronic need for significant and immediate action to reverse the decline. West Harris Trust is striving to be pro-active in its bid to reverse population decline and already seeing success through grass roots development and confidence building. West Harris as a Trust and community has been fighting to retain its local school despite the attempts to close it by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

West Harris Trust Directors are calling on the Comhairle, even at this late hour, to suspend the appeal against the decision by the Scottish Government to keep Shelibost open. West Harris Trust presented a robust case in July 2010 asking for a five year moratorium against closure, and argued that if the Trust was successful in attracting new families there would be insufficient capacity at Tarbert. The Trust plans were dismissed as aspirational by the Comhairle. As at today’s date two years from the buyout 16 houses are either being built, at the planning stage or converted from holiday homes to permanent residence. With additional housing, new businesses and sustainable energy projects developing in West Harris Shelibost School must be retained as part of the broader community need as well as maintaining its excellent reputation as a superb educational establishment surrounded by a stunning ecological environment

Background Information

The West Harris Estates were established in the 1930’s and 40’s when 52 families were re-settled on the West Side by the then Board of Agriculture as agents of the national Government. This time is remembered in the writings of Finlay J Macdonald Crowdie & Cream etc who grow up in Scaristavore.

By the year 2000 when Harris received fame as the home of the ‘Castaways’ in the BBC documentary the population was rapidly declining (the population of Harris fell by 50% from 1951 to 2001) West Harris became a much sought after holiday destination over the decade to 2010, 16 houses were either built or converted to holiday homes/self catering cottages, by contrast over this same 10 years only four houses were built for permanent residence.

Realising that the current and projected position was unsustainable a steering group was formed in 2008 to investigate the option of community purchase of the estates with the aim of strengthening the community by encouraging inward migration. Following an extensive period of consultation and negotiation the community took ownership of the estate in January 2010.

Two years on the Trust has revised its business plan and agreed nine development areas, including a hydro scheme, business units, houses for rent, community space, tourism infrastructure, allotments and forestry. In addition the Trust in partnership with the townships has released six sites for private housing.

 Contact Details

 Neil Campbell Secretary/Director 07774940170

Murdo Mackay Chair/Director 07901567509














Tuesday 6 March 2012

Creating Space for New Business

The Trust is moving forward with plans to create business space in the area as part of its strategy for regeneration. An advertisement in the local press and survey work by our Community Engagement Officer has brought forward several enquiries. The Trust is in discussions with funding agencies with a view to funding support for building business units/office space for rent and it is planning to start design work later in the year.

Are you interested in running a business in one of the best scenic locations in the world? If so, please contact our Commercial Development Manager Duncan MacPherson on 01859 520785.
Email: dev@westharristrust.org

MSP attends board meeting

Alasdair Allan MSP with board members and staff
Alasdair Allan MSP attended the board meeting on Monday 13th February at which he heard of progress that the Trust has made since its purchase of West Harris. The Trust asked Alasdair to make representations to Scottish Ministers for increased funding for the provision of housing and heard the latest update on changes to RET ferry fares. Alasdair confirmed that the Scottish Govt would be defending its decision to keep Seilebost school open at the forthcoming judicial review instigated by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Thursday 19 January 2012

Community Engagement Officer Appointed

The Trust is pleased to announce that it has appointed Cait Wooll as Community Engagement Officer for a 3 month period. Cait's role is to carry out research that will help the Trust plan future projects that will benefit both individual households and the community in general. The research will help provide evidence of the need for future projects in the areas of housing provision, improving energy efficiency of homes, crofting and business development. Cait will be seeking to visit every household in the area to learn from them and hopefully gain new ideas for the future benefit of West Harris. She can be contacted at the Trust office on 01859 520785 or via email: admin@westharristrust.org

Cait hails from Canada but has settled in Harris following studies at Glasgow University. Her grandfather served in the RAF in the islands during the Second World War and the family have been regular visitors to Harris ever since.

SRDP Success

In the last round of Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) funding the Horgabost & Seilebost and Scaristavore Common Grazings were successful with applications for measures to balance livestock and environmental management. The Trust congratulates both common grazing committees on their efforts and is delighted that they are able to be rewarded for carrying out additional works and practices that benefit the environment. Luskentyre common grazings had previously been successful with a similar application so the greater part of the estate is now actively managed for environmental benefit.