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Islanders on Scalpay will be asked to decide if they want to control their own land.
A public ballot is expected to take place in the summer.
Scalpay’s landlord Fred Taylor has offered a free gift of the island to its 300 residents and encourages them to take control of their own destiny.
He says he has no plans of selling to anyone else and would retain the land if islanders
ultimately choose not to go-
One option is to merge with North Harris Trust after a buyout though this would require the consent of both communities.
But residents may opt to go it alone for their own community company to take over and develop the island.
Many islanders believe community ownership is a last chance catalyst to rescue the declining community.
A community landlord would have wider access to the fresh investment vitally needed to regenerate the island’s ailing economy which is blighted by depopulation, departing youth, few facilities and lack of jobs.
Boosting tourism, developing fisheries and installing wind turbines are ideas being considered. Crofters’ rights would be legally protected whoever the landlord.
The Scalpay Community Land Steering Group has now hired The Pool DTA Scotland Consultancy” (the Pool ) in collaboration with Ecodyn Ltd to examine the financial, social and economic impact of various land ownership models. Five firms had applied for the tender.
Though the buyout process is taking longer than initially anticipated the steering group says it is “extremely confident that the correct selection has been made.”
Local economic body Harris Development Ltd (HDL) is helping islanders to apply for funding for the feasibility and business plan work.
Steering group chairman Paul Finnegan said: “When funding is fully confirmed, consultants are due to begin work on the project and it is their intention to maintain the high level of community engagement which has been in place ever since Mr Taylor made his generous offer to the community in March 2011.
“The brief provided to consultants contains an incredible 161 individual contributions from within the community relating to the future development of the island and we hope that the community will endeavour to maintain that same detailed level of dialogue with the Pool when they embark upon further community consultation work as part of their study.”
Mr Finnegan highlighted the group was in “early discussions” for Western Isles Council
to assist in staging a public ballot -
The summertime date has been chosen to avoid clashing with the local council elections in May.
Mr Finnegan thanked all of the “residents of Scalpay for their patience and support, and crucial participation in this process.
“The committee are looking forward to working with the Pool to put together a comprehensive study with which the people of Scalpay can make an informed decision about their future"
Toby Johns, head of consultancy at The Pool, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to work with the people of Scalpay to assist them in considering this exciting opportunity and are looking forward to beginning the work.”
Public ballot planned for Scalpay buyout 16/1/12