The following press release was issued today (8th March 2012) to demonstrate progress in regenerating the community and to continue the campaign to save Seilebost School ahead of a judicial review of the Scottish Govt decision to prevent its planned closure by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
WEST
HARRIS PRESS RELEASE
West Harris Trust the community owner of
the West Harris Estates purchased from the Scottish Government in January 2010
is pleased to report that the decline in population has been halted. As at
today’s date two years from the buyout 16 houses are either being built, at the
planning stage or converted from holiday homes to permanent residence. These 16 houses based on current commitments
will bring 30 people to the West Side by 2013. In addition the Trust is working
with partners to deliver 6 houses for rent, with further developments in the
pipeline.
Quote
from Murdo Mackay Chair of West Harris Trust
There
has been a marked change in West Harris since the community purchased the
estate in 2010; while we can not take credit for all these positive
developments I believe that the process of community ownership has crated a new
air of optimism.
David
Cameron Chair of Community Land Scotland said:
"It is simply great to see positive news on population
and housing coming out of West Harris. Similarly, the
projected figures for the increased school role more than justifies the
decision to keep Seilebost School open.
The beginning of the turnaround in the fortunes
of West Harris, after decades of decline, is down to the community taking
control of their own future through the purchase of their land. When local
people take control, their priorities are all about the community and its long
term future, and housing for families to become resident is fundamental to that
future. This shows the power of community ownership in economic regeneration,
stimulating population growth and providing the basis for a sustainable
future."
By the end of 2015 (the five years
requested by West Harris Trust in making their submission to the Comhairle on
the consultation on the closure of Shelibost School), we confidently predict
that as promised the population of West Harris will have increased
significantly. Most importantly the couples already committed have 9 children;
by 2015 we hope this number will be significantly increased ensuring a viable
future for Seilebost School.
Angus MacNeil
MP said;
“I am pleased
to support the community owned West Harris Estates and the community of West
Harris in their attempts to keep Shelibost School open.
“This is an
important time for the community with 16 houses being built or at the planning
stage, I feel that every chance should be given for the community to grow and
thrive again.
“The primary
school at Shelibost is seen as an important part of the community jigsaw; the
school is in a very attractive setting, if not the most attractive settings for
any primary school in Scotland and would surely be a draw for families
returning or indeed families moving for the first time to have their children
educated there. Certainly as a former teacher it would be a great school
to work in.
“I do hope the
community and the SNP Government are successful in keeping Shelibost School
open, despite the legal action from the local authority.”
The Trust firmly believes that alongside
housing, economic development is essential, in the two years from the buyout
ten expressions of interest have been received for business proposals on the
West Side. Based on these initial proposals a total of twenty four jobs could
be created.
Comment
from Robert Macleod Chair Shelibost Parent Council
Shelibost school was (uniquely) singled out in recent reports by HMIe
regarding the closure of many schools across the Western Isles. The report
recognised the work and plans of West Harris Trust with the school and took
cognisance of the fragility and interdependence of the school and the socio
economic regeneration. As the whole of Harris looks to find a strategic road
map to economic sustainability coupled to a broad educational experience it is
apparent that the impact in these more remote areas is much more dramatic than
at main centres of populous. The parent councils of Shelibost and Leverburgh
schools continue to work together to stem the perpetual decline of the value
placed on the schools via reduction in services such as specialist PE, which
has ceased in recent months.
Parent Rhoda MacLeod adds “ All we want is support for the on-going work of the
School and the West Harris Trust and would urge those sitting on the Judicial
review to carefully consider the impact the closure of Shelibost school will
have on a vibrant and forward thinking community”
It is ironic that on the 13th
March 2012 the local council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are taking the Scottish
Government to court for not allowing the closure of Shelibost school which is
at the heart of the Trust plans to strengthen the community. The Education Minister
correctly concluded that the Comhairle had not considered the viable
alternative to closure; the Comhairle dismissed these plans in 2010 as
aspirational. We can now show that the plans are coming to fruition. Quoting
from that submission:
In conclusion we urge the Comhairle to give West
Harris five additional years to grow our community; if we succeed the Tarbert
school will not have sufficient capacity to cope with demand from the catchment
area.
More importantly West Harris will be a beacon to other
communities in Scotland that it is possible to reverse population trends and
create sustainable communities of which you as the local authority charged with
creating sustainable communities should be proud.
“Where there is no vision the people perish”
Quote from Neil Campbell Secretary West Harris Trust
Recent
predictions by the Registrar General of a 30% drop in the ‘school age’
population by 2035 demonstrates the chronic need for significant and immediate
action to reverse the decline. West Harris Trust is striving to be pro-active
in its bid to reverse population decline and already seeing success through
grass roots development and confidence building. West Harris as a Trust and
community has been fighting to retain its local school despite the attempts to
close it by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
West
Harris Trust Directors are calling on the Comhairle, even at this late hour, to
suspend the appeal against the decision by the Scottish Government to keep
Shelibost open. West Harris Trust presented a robust case in July 2010 asking
for a five year moratorium against closure, and argued that if the Trust was
successful in attracting new families there would be insufficient capacity at
Tarbert. The Trust plans were dismissed as aspirational by the Comhairle. As at
today’s date two years from the buyout 16 houses are either being built, at the
planning stage or converted from holiday homes to permanent residence. With
additional housing, new businesses and sustainable energy projects developing
in West Harris Shelibost School must be retained as part of the broader
community need as well as maintaining its excellent reputation as a superb
educational establishment surrounded by a stunning ecological environment
Background Information
The West Harris Estates were established in
the 1930’s and 40’s when 52 families were re-settled on the West Side by the
then Board of Agriculture as agents of the national Government. This time is
remembered in the writings of Finlay J Macdonald Crowdie & Cream etc who
grow up in Scaristavore.
By the year 2000 when Harris received fame
as the home of the ‘Castaways’ in the BBC documentary the population was
rapidly declining (the population of Harris fell by 50% from 1951 to 2001) West
Harris became a much sought after holiday destination over the decade to 2010,
16 houses were either built or converted to holiday homes/self catering
cottages, by contrast over this same 10 years only four houses were built for
permanent residence.
Realising that the current and projected
position was unsustainable a steering group was formed in 2008 to investigate
the option of community purchase of the estates with the aim of strengthening
the community by encouraging inward migration. Following an extensive period of
consultation and negotiation the community took ownership of the estate in
January 2010.
Two years on the Trust has revised its
business plan and agreed nine development areas, including a hydro scheme,
business units, houses for rent, community space, tourism infrastructure,
allotments and forestry. In addition the Trust in partnership with the
townships has released six sites for private housing.
Contact Details
Neil Campbell Secretary/Director 07774940170
Murdo Mackay Chair/Director 07901567509
The outline plans were presented by Alan Dickson of Rural Design architects from Skye who have the task of delivering a muti-use site that will be a keystone development in regenerating the local area. The presentation was well-received and a number of suggestions were given by the community, with 76% of the respondents rating the project as either "excellent" or "good". People were asked to rate the indivdual elements of the project and the highest scores were received for the wind turbine, community space, affordable housing and business space. 
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