Stòras Uibhist urged to distribute windfarm cash fairly 14/1/13
The Lochboisdale Amenity Trust (LAT) says the community of South Uist should be placed
at the heart of decision-
The community development trust says it welcomes a commitment from Stòras Uibhist, that the community landlord will work with local organisations to make sure that money from the scheme is distributed in a way that is open and transparent.
The LAT says now is the time to ask the community what their priorities for development are so that the money is spent in ways that meet the real needs of local people.
This year will see the three turbines in Loch Carnan, South Uist, generating electricity for the first time.
The Loch Carnan Community Windfarm is Scotland’s largest wholly community owned renewables project and is expected to generate around £2.5 million a year for the local community.
Donald MacPhee of the LAT said: “The windfarm income could kick-
“We welcome the commitment from Stòras to work with existing local organisations over how the money should be spent.
“But we believe that any consultation should be wider than that – everyone in South Uist should have the opportunity to get involved.
“Now is the time to bring together a community plan in an open way, so that every organisation can bring their ideas and expertise to the table, and everyone locally can have a chance to decide which ideas deserve support. We look forward to putting forward our ideas.”
The LAT has already been successful in securing funding of £32,000 from the National
Lottery’s Village SOS scheme for its Rent-
It also wants to build on the success of its coastal adaptation programme, using
recycled fishing nets and other locally-
The community council has been working on plans to build a training skills academy campus in South Uist, helping local people learn new skills for work, as well as giving them skills and encouragement to create their own enterprises.
More community renewable energy projects and a community swimming pool are also aspitations.
It says it is important that local people get a chance to properly discuss all the ideas that different groups in Uist want to take forward, so that the community as a whole can decide how best to spend the money generated from the Loch Carnan windfarm.
Donald MacPhee said: “We think that the wider community has to be placed at the heart of this process. We believe the people of South Uist are the people who know best how this money should be spent.
“We don’t think we need a big firm of consultants to come and do this research – we think there is enough experience and enthusiasm in Uist to bring people together, look at what ideas have merit and take them forward with appropriate funding.”
The LAT has already written to Stòras Uibhist, local MSP Alasdair Allan and MP Angus Brendan MacNeil, and local councillors, asking for a meeting to take the idea of a community plan forward