People who live in the Pairc area are set to shake hands on a deal with landowner Barry Lomas rather than use the right-to-buy legislation to force a buy-out.
A new friendly strategy for dealings with the landlord is emerging as they agree to drop plans for a hostile buy-out and their ongoing moves towards a compulsory purchase.
After a meeting on Thursday night, the crofters now plan to amicably negotiate the purchase of almost all the land.
Pairc Trust, the crofting community body, have lodged three applications to the Scottish Government. The first was in May 2005 following a positive ballot held in November 2004. That application, which was overtaken by events, was eventually turned down by the Government in March 2011.
Two other bids were made in February 2010 following a ballot held in December 2009 – one to buy land, and another to buy the interest of the tenant in an associated lease. They were approved by the government in March 2011.
The landlord appealed against the government’s decisions to approve the 2010 applications and the government suspended the independent valuation which had been commissioned.
Part of the landlord’s appeal – relating to the government’s legal right to pass the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 – has been referred to the Court of Session, while part – relating to the particular details of our applications, including the December 2009 ballot – remains to be heard in Stornoway Sheriff Court once the Court of Session has reached a judgement.
Pairc Trust said there was still no timetable for resolution of the legal dispute between the landlord and the government. It confirmed, however, that it had entered into discussions with landlord Mr Lomas, a Warwickshire lawyer, regarding a possible voluntary (or ‘amicable’) estate transfer, saying: “This has always been our preferred outcome if a satisfactory agreement – … to be endorsed by the community – could be reached.”
It said the fund-raising campaign was continuing and had raised more than £17,000, adding further donations were welcome.
The trust said: “We are also in touch with funding bodies so that a community buyout can proceed once a purchase price is known – either under Part 3 or through an amicable estate transfer.”
Big Lottery Fund approved a Stage 1 application to their Growing Community Assets fund earlier this year.
Community Land Scotland, which represents community land owners, welcomed the latest developments.
Local councillor Philip McLean said: “Having attended the public meeting I can testify that the Pairc Trust chairman Angus McDowall put forward the pros and cons of each option and provided detailed answers and background to the many questions coming from the floor.
“Although there will be further dialogue with the local community on the detail, the decision taken last night clears the way to engage with the landlord on an amicable basis.”
