Sunart’s News in April

Sunart Paths Network have now set three dates for working group days come for as long as you like. Spades at the ready! If you’re interested in coming along, get in touch with Izzy for more details.

Sunart Men’s Shed are getting up and running. They would be very grateful for any donations of hand tools, power tools or old kitchen worktops. Let John Tyldsley or Izzy know. The Compost site has been identified as a suitable site for a purpose-built Men’s Shed, and will be investigated.

 Sunart Community Benefit Fund Previously called the Common Good Fund – however ‘common good’ has a legal meaning so the name has changed. The Sunart Community Benefit Fund Panel met in early March to award the next round of funding. This round, a total of £26,000 was awarded to a total of 7 applicants. Since the fund opened in December 2016, a total of £75,424 has been awarded to 16 projects! The total cost of all the projects that the fund has helped comes to an incredible £1,089,044.00!

Community Company Acquisition of Land – Policy. In February 2018 the Community Company Directors confirmed the Company Policy for when publicly owned land or assets are put up for sale. Generally, the Board does not wish to see publicly owed assets sold into private ownership.  When the Board becomes aware of a sale or potential sale it will consider whether the property offers a strategic or operational fit with the aims of the Company and or the Sunart Community Action Plan (CADISPA report).  If it can, the Board will use its legal structure and relevant legislation to secure such assets for future generations.  This policy does not imply that every property will be purchased but confirms the intention of the Board to examine the potential for each property. If an asset acquisition appears to offer limited opportunity, viability, or benefits or when resources prevent acquisition then no action will be taken.

Forest Enterprise Property Polloch & Upper Glen Hurich Forest the Community Company will not proceed with acquisition as it is deemed that they would not be viable or deliver significant community benefit.

Longrigg Woodland is being investigated for its potential viability and benefits to the community.  Currently, an application for funding to develop a feasibility and viability study is being progressed, which will give us a clear picture of options and costs.

Visitor Information Centre – with support of the Sunart Communtiy Council and SMMAATA, we are pursuing the purchase of the building. Expression of interest forms from persons or businesses interested in using the space have been coming back and there has been a good response so far.

 Coming Soon, to the Loch Near You!  Three Visitor Moorings are to be installed this spring at the Strontian Jetty. The Loch Development Working Group want to make the gateway to the village an attractive and vibrant hub for local people and tourists. Installing three visitor moorings is the first step in increasing infrastructure and increasing awareness of Loch Sunart as a destination for marine tourists. Ownership of the Jetty, Tin Shed and Carpark area is progressing, and once complete, further transformation of this area can begin.