Machrihanish Airbase Community Buy-out

[mary]

The Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC) has successfully registered an interest in the airbase which has been put up for sale by the MOD. The next step is that the airbase will be independently valued. Following that there will be a Community Ballot of the electorate in the PA28 6 voting area. In order for the community to be able to buy the airbase we will need more than 50% of the eligible electorate to vote and of those who vote, more than 50% must be in favour of the buy out.
The feedback we have so far is that the community are overwhelmingly in favour of a community buy out but the support of the community will be needed if we are to achieve a successful ballot.
The MACC AGM is to be held in the Lorne and Lowland Church Hall at 19.30 on this Friday March 5th. All are welcome to attend the AGM and we will be grateful for your support and any ideas you have for the success of the ballot and the future of the airbase.

[Mr.Everready]

Can you outline the plans for the site if the community do buy it.

[mary]

I hope this below will answer your question - we are unable to give you a detailed business plan at this stage. We welcome ideas and suggestions from the community and there will be opportunities for anyone in the community to be involved.

WHY ARE WE DECLARING AN INTEREST IN THE EX MACHRIHANISH BASE FOR THE COMMUNITY:-

The MACC group want to create a sustainable business within the airbase for the long term future of the area, keeping all revenues raised within our community.

To create as many jobs and opportunities as possible for the local public and business to expand.

Working with Scottish Government, HIE and Argyll & Bute Council to encourage a many industries and businesses as possible to set up within the ex RAF base.

To explore new types of businesses and industries with the view of reducing the carbon foot print in the area.

Explore the prospects of building ecological friendly buildings within the base, also bring in ideas for renewable energy project in the base to create and are of excellence for green project within the U.K. This we will be looking into with a specialised company whom we have signed a non disclosure agreement with.

Work with local companies to help them expand and develop.

Expanding the use of the base by aircraft fixed wing and helicopters by taking to companies wishing to come into the area to service and store aircraft.

Exploring the prospect of a duty free port within the fence of the base, this would mean that you can manufacture renewable energy products duty free, also create a duty free warehouse storage area for onward movement of airfreight to all parts of the Europe and the U.K. Why here – because all aircraft flying to and from Canada and USA to U>K> and Europe go directly over our base making it easy for this type of industry and business.

If you have lived in Kintyre for a number of years you will know that we have seen many companies and industries come and go creating a boom and burst economy. This is something the MACC group would hope to stop by creating more diverse businesses within the airbase giving the opportunity to our up and coming youth of the area to have high tech work without having to move from the area. We also want to keep the money generated from the base in the community for the greater good of the community.

OUR AIMS FOR THE FUTURE BUSINESS:-

We would hope to work very closely with MOD Defence Estates, Scottish Government, HIE, and Argyll & Bute Council to create the following:-

The MACC group would run the airbase by leasing out the buildings, land, runway and associated facilities, also supplying the maintenance and security for the above.

The Business plan income will be generated from leases and sharing of profit on joint business ventures with companies operating inside the airbase and there will also be income from the maintenance side of the business.

Our vision for this project is that it will be a model of sustainable development for the community of Kintyre, to develop lasting benefits for the area from a range of possibilities bringing long term employment. It is for the community to now get behind this project as it’s their company and can be a great legacy to leave our future generations.

[Tartan Seer]

'For Argyll' also has a positive take on the story:

http://forargyll.com/2010/03/campbeltow ... h-airbase/

[Kintyre Forum News]

Mary, firstly thanks for making use of the Kintyre Forum and we welcome your contributions.

Stuck for time just now but more information can also be found at

http://machrihanish.org/

[Mist Rolling In]

I hope that a lot of people turn out at the meeting as community ownership of something like this has the potentail to have a colossal impact on the area - positively or indeed negatively - and we all need to have full information. While it would be great to always look on the bright side, the cautious part of me is nervous of our community being left with a burden, particularly when there is so little grant funding out there.

That said - I'm open to being convinced. When are we likely to be able to see a copy of the business plan - before the community ballot?

Will there be opportunity for the public to ask questions at the AGM? Its been nearly a year since the first - and I believe only - public meeting and even as a member of the community I feel a bit in the dark. I for one want to be certain that my vote is fully informed, as I am sure most people are.[*]

[mary]

You can see everything that is in the public domain if you look on the government website
http://www.rcil.ros.gov.uk. The business plan is in hand and we will provide as much information as we can before the ballot. Until the site has been valued by the independent valuer we will obviously not be able to complete the plan. You are quite right about this being a big undertaking in the present climate where funding is short but there are some good opportunities for us including grant funding and inward investment. The main thing is that the community retains control and ensures that all investment is for the benefit of the community and that the money and benefits remain in Kintyre. We can do it if the community supports us!

[ultraviolet]

How did the meeting go?

[mary]

Folks - there is an opportunity for you all to have an input into the future of the Machrihanish Airbase. Please look at the MACC website http://machrihanish.org There you will find the latest news and a form which you can fill in (anonymously if you wish) with your ideas for the Airbase. We hope to get lots of ideas, enthusiasm and support for our community buy out so please fill in the form and give your ideas and aspirations. Any new members and offers of help would also be greatly appreciated - send us an email or pm me.

[Ship called Dignity]

Interesting articles on HIAL's lease etc on the For Argyll website

http://forargyll.com/

[smiles]

Interesting articles on HIAL's lease etc on the For Argyll website

http://forargyll.com/

Rather long winded.

[kintyre56]

Yes, agreed, but I think that it was probably necessary to be long winded in order to get all the facts out into the open - otherwise misunderstandings and false rumours might have have started spreading. I think its a good thing that all the background wheelings and dealings have been exposed. The opportunity for an unscrupulous developer to acquire and "bank" what will some day surely be valuable development land is there. Only a successful community buy out will prevent Kintyre from losing this valuable asset and the community should not miss this once only chance.