“Hostile” landlord accused of spreading propaganda 19/4/10
against estate buyout
A decision on a hostile community takeover of the Pairc estate on Lewis may be known next month villagers were told on Friday.
But estate owner Barry Lomas who refuses to sell out on the community’s terms has been accused of spreading propaganda about the proposed takeover.
The Pairc community seek to buy 20,000 acres of moorland though the bid is against the will of the landowner and would be Scotland’s first test of the controversial Land Reform Act.
The legislation has never been used in anger in its six years of existence but has been invoked now because Mr Lomas is reluctant to sell.
The hostile application to buy the land plus commercial wind farm leases is out to public consultation until 16th May. If successful Mr Lomas would be left as landlord of only 5000 acres of individual tenanted crofts.
At a public meeting in Gravir residents were told that Pairc Trust, the body leading the community bid believe that there is the political will in the Scottish Government to back the buyout.
It was revealed that a confidential valuation recently commissioned by HIE indicates a value for the land and lease which is considerably lower than what the landlord has been seeking.
The Trust suggested using a loan to fill the funding gap to met the purchase price and to finance repayments from income from the proposed giant SSE windfarm.
It was agreed to establish a subsidiary company of the Pairc Trust to take forward renewable energy projects on the estate.
The meeting also endorsed the Trust’s proposal to oversee a fund to distribute community
benefit from the commercial wind-
The Pairc Trust said that during the meeting it emerged that the landowner is circulating material designed to undermine the aspirations of the community, in association with a few individuals amongst the minority of local people opposed to the buyout.
The Trust said that Paul Bailey, who is chairman of the community council but who claimed to be speaking in a personal capacity, attempted to present this material at the meeting but received no support from others present.
Pairc Trust chairman, Angus McDowall, said: ‘First of all, I am delighted that the meeting has endorsed our key proposals.
‘It does not surprise me that the landowner should be spreading misinformation in a desperate rearguard action to thwart the wishes of the community to buy the estate, but it saddens me that some individuals in our midst are prepared to let themselves be used in this way because of their personal opinions.
“The community emphatically endorsed the proposal to acquire the land and lease in the ballot last December. I respect the views of the minority who are not in favour, but I expect the wishes of the majority to be respected too, not least by the chairman of the community council.’
‘Now is the time for the community to keep its resolve and show unity as we approach the final crucial stages in this long saga.
He said: “The propaganda circulated by the landlord contains the same discredited statements which we have corrected on so many occasions in the past.
“For example, it is just not true that the Pairc Trust passed up the opportunity to get funding from the Big Lottery Fund last year to buy the estate – despite numerous attempts, the landowner refused to commit to a value for the estate.
“Similarly, the idea that the Pairc Trust do not wish to buy the interposed lease is ludicrous.
McDowall said: “I also deprecate the fact that the landlord has chosen to release selective and distorted information from confidential discussions with the Trust while we were exploring the scope for a voluntary transfer last year. I completely refute his claims and am pleased that this latest attempt to divide and rule received short shrift at the meeting.”
Angus McDowall added: “The Pairc Trust consulted the community on the next course of action in the December ballot and was told unequivocally that a Part 3 application should be pursued. The Trust, acting on this clear direction, has submitted applications to purchase both land and lease.
“These can be seen on the Trust website for anyone who wishes to see them. The Pairc Trust will continue to represent the community’s interest to the best of its ability.”
The closing date for comments on the Pairc Trust’s applications under Part 3 of the Act is 16th May, and local residents can send their views to Heather Holmes, Scottish Government, Community Assets Branch, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY.