WIREDGOV

Celebrations are underway in North West Mull as the Scottish Land Fund yesterday announced an award of up to £4,415,200 to enable the community  to open negotiations for the purchase of the Ulva Estate and associated land and buildings.

Funded by the Scottish Government, the Scottish Land Fund supports local communities by helping them take ownership of land and/or buildings that matter to them.

North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC), the first group to register interest in an island under the Scottish Government’s Community Right to Buy legislation, now has until 9 June 2018 to agree terms with the current owner, raise the rest of the funding they will need, and complete the sale.

The group plan to purchase the estate, which spans 2,000 hectares and includes the Isle of Ulva, as well as some land on nearby Mull. Following consultation with local people, the number one priority for community ownership is to attract new residents by increasing economic activity and housing stock.

Colin Morrison, Chair of North West Mull Community Woodland Company expressed his delight at the news: "This award from the Scottish Land Fund is hugely significant, not only for Ulva but also more broadly for North West Mull. Our top priority is to renovate the existing buildings and provide secure leases for present and new residents and businesses. We aim to have 20 or more people living on Ulva within two or three years, rising to as many as 50 or more in time as new houses are built. Social and economic development of Ulva will bring benefits to the neighbouring communities on Mull. Schools, shops, local services and industry will all receive a boost from the increased population and also from the increased number of visitors we are confident we shall see once accommodation and facilities are provided for them on the island.”

Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham welcomed the news, saying: "This award should provide the NW Mull Community Woodland Company with the means to make a fair and serious offer for the island. This is further demonstration of the Scottish Government's commitment to empowering communities via land reform - enabling them to determine their own futures. If the purchase is successful, then I'm sure that the people of Ulva, and its surrounding area, will reap the benefits of community ownership for years to come."

Scottish Land Fund Chair, John Watt, said: “It’s with great pleasure that the Scottish Land Fund awards this funding to the North West Mull Community Woodland Company. This means that local people are now one step closer to extending the area the community currently owns, and in doing so putting the future of the island of Ulva firmly in local hands. It is a momentous day for all those involved and I wish them every success as they go on to raise the remaining funding that will allow them to turn their dreams into reality.”

In December 2017, following an independent ballot of 401 voters in north-west Mull, almost 64% of people were in favour of the community buyout.

Highlands and Island Enterprise, previously awarded NWMCWC £23,363 to investigate the purchase and advised them on their Scottish Land Fund application. Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: “NWMCWC are to be congratulated in securing a significant funding award to further their aspirations to regenerate Ulva.  This was only possible following a sustained and intensive voluntary effort and now gives the group the go-ahead to raise the additional funding to complete the purchase. We wish them well as they continue their journey to realise their ownership ambitions.”

The Scottish Land Fund is keen to support more applications from across Scotland and particularly within urban areas. Groups considering applying should contact the Big Lottery Fund to discuss their idea at advicescotland@biglotteryfund.org.uk or by phoning 0300 123 7110

Notes to Editors

• £4.5 million is the maximum grant available from the Scottish Land Fund for  both the Ulva Estate (£4.2 million) and Ardulum House if purchased together.
• Scottish Ministers gave consent to NWMCWC to register its interest in purchasing the Isle of Ulva under the The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which gives communities the right to register and then go on to buy land and assets. This was the first time that permission had been granted to a community group to register interest in an island under the legislation.
• The Scottish Land Fund Committee is responsible for funding decisions and influencing the strategic direction of the fund. In cases where a funding application request is over £1 million the Scottish Land Fund requires additional approval from the Scottish Government before any funding is released.
• The Scottish Land Fund is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the Big Lottery Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
• The SLF Committee was appointed following the normal procedures for public appointments.
• The BIG Lottery Fund distributes lottery funding to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. It also uses its expertise in grant-giving to distribute non-Lottery funding. Full details of the BIG Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. BIG Lottery Fund Public Enquiries Line call: 0300 123 7110.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) delivers the Scottish Government Economic Strategy across more than half of Scotland - from Shetland to Argyll and from the Hebrides to Moray. It aims to support businesses and social enterprises; strengthen communities and fragile areas; develop key sectors, and create the conditions for a competitive and low carbon region. See more at www.hie.co.uk