A COMMUNITY buyout leader claims the fortunes of the isle of Ulva and the wider area could be transformed by transferring power to the people.
It comes as the deadline for ballot papers to be returned to determine local opinion over Scotland’s latest community buyout proposal is today.
Colin Morrison, chairman of the North West Mull Community Woodland Company, said: “Our feasibility study shows community ownership of Ulva will make a positive contribution to the island and the broader area of North West Mull through provision of affordable housing allowing for re-population.”
“New business development and support for existing business can also be transformative in the area.
“Community ownership puts the decisions about how an area is run firmly in the hands of those who live there – this can only be a good thing.”
Michael Russell, SNP MSP for Argyll and Bute, is backing the community company’s bid to buy Ulva, which is home to six people and has been independently valued at £4.24million. Mr Russell said: “There is a huge amount of goodwill on Mull, in Argyll, across Scotland and even more widely towards the proposed community buyout.
“Moreover, it would give an exciting new start for an island that has great potential. It will include plans for re-population, which this area desperately needs.”
Island owner Jamie Howard, whose family have been custodians of Ulva for 70 years, was instructed to take the island, which had been for sale for offers over £4.5m, off the market, once the community interest was lodged.
He is convinced a private investor would offer the best option for developing Ulva to its full potential.
Claiming the community company put out biased and misinformation with the postal ballot papers, Mr Howard said a number of people in North Mull had voiced fears at the group’s ability to manage Ulva, if its bid was successful.
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