Pairc Trust, which has been trying to buy the Pairc estate in South Lochs, Lewis, on behalf of the local community for the past 11 years, has now concluded missives for an amicable estate transfer from private landlord, Barry Lomas.
The date of entry is expected to be later this year, depending on a decision on the landlord’s expenses claim for professional fees.
Following years of conflict and disagreement, the terms of a voluntary transfer of the over 28,000 acres Pairc estate were agreed with the landlord in April 2014.
The community endorsed the buyout by more than 2 to 1 in a postal ballot.
Funding for the £500,000 purchase price , plus some initial running costs, has been confirmed by Scottish Land Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Comhairle an Eilean Siar, together with the trust’s own resources.
Over the last year, negotiations have continued to convert the agreement into a legally binding document.
The main issues which delayed the process, but which have now been satisfactorily resolved, were mapping of the Estate, ownership of the foreshore, whether vat is payable, SSE’s decision to withdraw from the lease with Pairc Renewables, the handling of the landlord’s expenses claim for professional fees, and interim arrangements between conclusion of missives and date of entry.
Angus McDowall, chairman of Pairc Trust, commented: ‘It has been a very frustrating year for all concerned, as a whole succession of different issues have been raised, but we are pleased to announce that last week we made a final offer which has been agreed by the landlord.
“Missives have now been concluded and we therefore have a legally-
“If we can now deal with the landlord’s professional fees claim speedily, there is every reason to think that we will finally take title to the estate later this year.’
Contract finalised for community ownership of island estate
15 May 2015