Menu
01/04/2010
Community Buy Attenborough's Forest
Islanders on Bute have been given the green light to buy the picturesque Rhubodach Forest from film director Lord Attenborough.
Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, visited the island to announce her approval of plans by the Bute Community Land Company (BCLC) to buy the 1,700 acre forest under Land Reform legislation.
The £1.4 million buyout will see the land managed by the community who plan to maximise the commercial timber interests, create renewable energy projects, create a forest visitor centre, viewpoints, children's play areas and improve facilities for outdoor activities.
Over the first ten year period, the BCLC hopes the initiative will create around 45 jobs and generate approximately £8.4 million in additional household income.
Ms Cunningham said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the Island of Bute and a huge success story for the community land company which has managed the biggest ballot held under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act so far.
"The plans in place should act as a catalyst for economic and community regeneration on the island, enhance the visitor attraction, create a significant number of new jobs and generate opportunities for future generations to live and work there.
"I urge the BCLC to adopt a similarly thorough and creative approach to raising the capital needed to secure the forest. Using a number of different funder to secure land has proven very successful for other communities."
Peter McDonald, a Director of BCLC, said: "This buy out is an important opportunity for the community of Bute and in times of financial downturn it represents a real chance to transform the economic prospects of the island.
"We appreciate the support of the Scottish Government in this process and we are working extremely hard with various funding agencies to secure the necessary acquisition price by the due date. We are confident that we will succeed."
(GK/BMcc)
Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, visited the island to announce her approval of plans by the Bute Community Land Company (BCLC) to buy the 1,700 acre forest under Land Reform legislation.
The £1.4 million buyout will see the land managed by the community who plan to maximise the commercial timber interests, create renewable energy projects, create a forest visitor centre, viewpoints, children's play areas and improve facilities for outdoor activities.
Over the first ten year period, the BCLC hopes the initiative will create around 45 jobs and generate approximately £8.4 million in additional household income.
Ms Cunningham said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the Island of Bute and a huge success story for the community land company which has managed the biggest ballot held under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act so far.
"The plans in place should act as a catalyst for economic and community regeneration on the island, enhance the visitor attraction, create a significant number of new jobs and generate opportunities for future generations to live and work there.
"I urge the BCLC to adopt a similarly thorough and creative approach to raising the capital needed to secure the forest. Using a number of different funder to secure land has proven very successful for other communities."
Peter McDonald, a Director of BCLC, said: "This buy out is an important opportunity for the community of Bute and in times of financial downturn it represents a real chance to transform the economic prospects of the island.
"We appreciate the support of the Scottish Government in this process and we are working extremely hard with various funding agencies to secure the necessary acquisition price by the due date. We are confident that we will succeed."
(GK/BMcc)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 September 2013
Jaguar To Create 1,700 Jobs
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has said it is to create 1,700 new jobs at its plant in Solihull. The positions are part of a £1.5bn investment by the company as it expands its product range. The investment will be used to design systems which allow the chassis of future models to be constructed out of aluminium.
Jaguar To Create 1,700 Jobs
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has said it is to create 1,700 new jobs at its plant in Solihull. The positions are part of a £1.5bn investment by the company as it expands its product range. The investment will be used to design systems which allow the chassis of future models to be constructed out of aluminium.
16 February 2015
Labour To Launch Alternative Economic Plan
Labour leader, Ed Miliband, will today lay out a rival economic plan for the UK during a speech to workers at Jaguar Land Rover in Wolverhampton. Mr Miliband is expected to announce he believes the prosperity of ordinary working families "is key to Britain's industrial revival".
Labour To Launch Alternative Economic Plan
Labour leader, Ed Miliband, will today lay out a rival economic plan for the UK during a speech to workers at Jaguar Land Rover in Wolverhampton. Mr Miliband is expected to announce he believes the prosperity of ordinary working families "is key to Britain's industrial revival".
11 February 2013
Two In Court Over PSNI Officer Death
Two men are to appear at Londonderry Magistrates’ Court today, following the death of a PSNI constable in the city at the weekend. Constable Philippa Reynolds, 27, died in a crash involving a stolen car at the Limavady Road at 03:40 on Saturday.
Two In Court Over PSNI Officer Death
Two men are to appear at Londonderry Magistrates’ Court today, following the death of a PSNI constable in the city at the weekend. Constable Philippa Reynolds, 27, died in a crash involving a stolen car at the Limavady Road at 03:40 on Saturday.
14 August 2012
Jaguar Land Rover Beginning 24-Hour Production
Merseyside’s Jaguar Land Rover plant will operate 24-hours a day following the introduction of an extra shift. In order to meet demand for the company’s Evoque and Freelander models, 1,000 new jobs have been created and a new three shift pattern implemented. The first night shift at the plant will begin on Monday 20, at 21:30.
Jaguar Land Rover Beginning 24-Hour Production
Merseyside’s Jaguar Land Rover plant will operate 24-hours a day following the introduction of an extra shift. In order to meet demand for the company’s Evoque and Freelander models, 1,000 new jobs have been created and a new three shift pattern implemented. The first night shift at the plant will begin on Monday 20, at 21:30.
10 November 2011
Jaguar Announces 1,000 West Midlands Jobs
Car company Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced over 1,000 for the West Midlands area. The company said the new posts will be based at the company's Land Rover plant in Solihull, which currently employs 5,000 people. The recruitment campaign is now underway, JLR advertising for production operators and skilled trades people.
Jaguar Announces 1,000 West Midlands Jobs
Car company Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced over 1,000 for the West Midlands area. The company said the new posts will be based at the company's Land Rover plant in Solihull, which currently employs 5,000 people. The recruitment campaign is now underway, JLR advertising for production operators and skilled trades people.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
