The Kintyre Forum

anybody know where this is at ?

Graham,

There is a bit in the courier about it this week.

http://www.campbeltowncourier.co.uk/

I'll post it here later. I'll need to ask Ranald about reproducing stories that are in papers - there may be some copyright issues but of course I can edit it!

Word in general is it isn't going to happen but that can just be the usual Campbeltown rumour mill!

New golf course goes before the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Area Committee for planning permission tomorrow (Wednesday).

As the MOD are statutory consultees and have an objection to the plans, the council's planners are duty bound to recommed that the councillors refuse it.

So it's down to messrs McKinlay, Kelly and Colville to persude the other six councillors on the committee to over-rule the planners and grant permission.

Councillors unanimously approved the plans this morning

But they still have to be ratified by the scottish exec

More in this week's courier

Ranald,

Thanks for posting more about this, much appreciated.

Good news - will be an awkward one for the SE I'm sure!

Can you post a spot the ball coupon on here too!

'p'

a scoop fir the website ower yon rag extortionately sold every friday to the faithful...

its editor will be miffed

they're bound to reject it at the SE, but fair play fir once to oor Cooncillors

This was posted to me, please support the proposal for the new golf course. It makes no sense that the MOD can say a Golf Course can't be built but they can have their 'willuking' base there!

DALRIADA BUSINESS ACTION GROUP

PRESS STATEMENT


MACHRIHANISH BAY GOLF COURSE

As the voice of over 300 businesses in Kintyre, Mid Argyll and Northern Ireland, the Dalriada Business Action Group warmly welcomes the decision by Argyll and Bute Council to approve the Planning Application for the new golf course at Machrihanish Bay despite an objection from the Ministry of Defence.

It is vital for the economy of the whole area that the Scottish Executive now supports the brave stand taken by the Council and ratifies the Planning Application. The golf course has the potential to transform the economy of Kintyre and beyond in a sustainable manner to the benefit of everyone. A higher profile for the area will result in greater visitor numbers (the golf course projects up to 10,000 additional visitors per annum) and will provide a whole raft of exciting opportunities both for existing businesses and for new ventures.

Having been abandoned by the MOD in the mid-nineties Kintyre has suffered terribly as a result. However, a combination of local pride and determination has seen the area start to climb back on its feet again without the benefit of the support packages enjoyed by other former areas of military dependency. Vestas was the first step in this process and the new golf course will be a significant second step that will change how the outside world perceives Kintyre.

Up until now, whether by chance or design, the spectral presence of the MOD has been a major barrier to development in Kintyre and it is to be hoped that their dog in the manger stance will now change. However, it would appear that the MOD still considers it their prerogative to make decisions in a vacuum without considering what is best for the affected communities. In the current military climate we do not accept that the MOD has a divine right to hold back the economic development of a community of which they were once part, simply to allow themselves the luxury of retaining options which may never be exercised

We would urge the MOD to see sense and withdraw their objection forthwith and start a fresh chapter by agreeing to work constructively with the communities in South Kintyre to exploit the magnificent airport facility at Machrihanish for our mutual benefit.

End of Statement


For more information on Dalriada Business Action Group and the Irish ferry campaign go to www.dbag.org

doogs8 wrote:a scoop fir the website ower yon rag extortionately sold every friday to the faithful...

its editor will be miffed

they're bound to reject it at the SE, but fair play fir once to oor Cooncillors

Agree about the councillors and you're probably right about the Executive. However, don't forget that MOD tried every dirty trick in the book to keep Vestas out but eventually the Executive along with other politicians saw them off at the pass. Remember that the Executive can't just take a decision to kill off the project at the MODs will. They now have 28 days to either agree with the Council and the bulldozers can start moving or they have to call the application in for a public enquiry. Depending on what emerges at the PE, they will then decide whether or not the project can go ahead. I suspect that the people with the most to fear about a public enquiry are the MOD but let's hope it doesn't come to that! Anyway let's hope that Jack and co are taking the Braveheart pills and the Council is vindicated

Latest news: sorry it's not an exclusive this time!

Council have delayed making the final decision as the MoD is expected to make an announcement regarding the base on March 17th.

Sounds like they're going to say they no longer need the base, but I suppose we won't know for sure until the 17th.

Fingers crossed tho.

wether your a golfer or not you should support the new course, it's as vital to the local economy as vestas. machrihanish has a worldwide reputation in golfing circles, just watch tv coverage of any competition in scotland and we never fail to get mentioned. a new course with all that accompanies and refurbishment of royal hotel could help campbeltown turn the corner as far as visiters are concerned, the mod have no valid need to retain the base except to play boy soldiers, and we all know that its only educationally deficient types that opt for a career in the forces, that and the odd masochist.

general jack o'niell wrote:and we all know that its only educationally deficient types that opt for a career in the forces, that and the odd masochist.

Whilst I would echo your calls for as much local support towards the Golf Course as possible I would totally disagree with the above comment - well off the mark! (well some of them! )

Come on Admin 3. He may have a point. After all he is a General!!

kbm wrote:Come on Admin 3. He may have a point. After all he is a General!!

Class!

Ranald,

Could you add an update here?

Cheers

David

Sorry folks, meant to do this ages ago:

As of last week the MoD officially withdrew it's objection to the golf course proposal, so it's more or less all systems go.

The objection apparently centred around a blast control area or something similar centred around an area of the base potential used for 'storing' (or is it dumping?) munitions.

If the MoD had refused to rule out use of the munitions area in the future, the safety area would have taken in part of the golf course and as a result the public would not be allowed on certain areas.

The MoD has decided that it does not need the munitions area, though it has not made any decision on its future use, or lack of use, of the base.

The golf course has still to get final planning permission from the council but this is expected to be no more than a formality when the relevant committee meets on Thursday.