FOREST LAND BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER (31/07/06)

The sale of two small plots of Forestry Commission Scotland land near Loch Fyne (Argyllshire) will help bond local communities in the area.

A total of two and a half acres of surplus forestry land has been purchased by the Minard Community Trust which now enables the building a new village hall on a site situated near the centre of Minard, just opposite the primary school.
The new hall will act as a centrepiece for school and community activity.

Welcoming the purchase for the community, Scottish Forestry Minister Rhona Brankin said: "Five years ago I had the pleasure of visiting Minard to celebrate a new partnership between the Commission and Minard Community Trust over the running of the local forest. This partnership has worked very well and it is this proactive and inclusive approach to community engagement that has brought benefits for local people. I'm delighted that this small area of forest land will help the community at Minard. The plans for a new village hall should be a great asset in bringing the communities together, creating a stronger bond and offering a wide range of leisure, recreational and educational activities."

Discussions over the two small plots of the forest land started back in April 2003 when Forestry Commission Scotland was first approached by the local community. Local managers with the Commission were pleased to enter into negotiations as they are committed to working closely with communities over selling surplus forestry land if it provides clear benefits for local people.

Bill Middlemiss, Secretary of the Trust, expressed his delight that this land purchase was now complete. "It will mean that progress can now be made on developing plans to improve the appearance and facilities along the shore and also to take forward plans for the new village hall. We have already benefited from the landscaping of the new Waste Water treatment site, which has proved to be an ideal stopping place and viewpoint over Loch Fyne for tourists."

Minard Community Trust owns the existing village hall but it does not now meet the requirements of the community who are very active in developing facilities. A new footpath was previously constructed by the Trust to provide better access from the village to Minard Castle Woodland. The footpath starts from an informal parking area which is also part of one of the areas that has been sold.

Already the community frequently use this area for outdoor events such as barbecues and bonfires and it provides the main access to the beach for launching boats. Nick Purdy, Forestry Commission Scotland's local district manager in West Argyll added: "We've been very impressed with just how proactive the Trust has been over the years in boosting facilities for the community and visitors. We are delighted that national forest land has helped empower Minard Community Trust to take an opportunity and make it work for the good of the area."

Minard Community Trust applied to buy the land under Forestry Commission Scotland's former Sponsorship Scheme. This Scheme has now been replaced by the National Forest Land Scheme which gives communities the opportunity to buy national forest land where they can deliver additional public benefits.