What's been happening? (Community Ownership)

Progress so far!

• Garve Hotel Land - this is the biggest opportunity the community has ever had, the ability to purchase land in the heart of Garve that has the potential to fulfil so many of the community's priorities. The Development Company has been working with key community representative organisations - Lochluichart Community Trust, Garve and District Community Council, Garve Public Hall Trustees and Achnasheen Amenities Group, and an offer to purchase land (we can’t detail the sum just yet as the process is not complete) was put forward with a condition that access, over hotel ground, would be given - this offer was accepted but sadly without the required condition. This meant that no vehicle access is currently available for the land, however the Development Company still felt that even with pedestrian access only, the land would still meet some priorities and was worth pursuing. With the support of LCT, we put a reduced offer forward to the sellers, based on the fact that no vehicle access was available - the offer was refused. We are now at a point of considering our next steps, but we really don’t want the community to miss out on this opportunity and as soon as we have some further information, we will share it with you.
• Garve Public Hall – plans are moving forward following a delay due to the pandemic. A Building Warrant will soon be in place which will allow trustees to move to the Bill of Quantities stage this will then result in a funding application to LCT for renovation costs. The Development Company have been supporting trustees and in terms of funding they have been successful in getting to Stage 2 of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. If successful, it is hoped that this fund will support around £200K of associated renovation costs.
• Achnasheen Village Hall – Achnasheen Amenities Group are currently about to put a survey out to their local residents asking if they wish to purchase the hall from Highland Council and if there would be a committed community group to take this forward. This will obviously need to go out to wider community consultation and the Development Company will assist with this process.
• Garve War Memorial – the On ya Bike group have been looking at what work needs to be carried out to improve or develop paths in Garve and District. In particular a path from Garve to Gorstan that will take in access to the War Memorial – it would be great to see an all-ability path developed.
• Community Defibrillators – the Development Company took over management of the units which had previously been purchased via the Garve and District Community Council, who had also arranged training at that time. We can confirm that all units are up and running, have two sets of pads and up to date batteries. Each unit has a key person who is responsible for checking and reporting any faults to the Company. We were also pleased to arrange a refresher training course for the community this year.
• Wyvis Natural Playpark – the playpark group are always responsive to community comments and feedback, have worked hard in partnership with the Garve Litter Busters Group, to keep the park and surrounding area litter free. As part of a recent community group looking at issues with regarding accessing the park over the Summer, the group once again issued the correct access details via their social media channels.