Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Press Release
29th June 2009
Sums Don’t Add Up In MoD’s Range Plans
The Chairman of the Hebrides Range Task Force, Mr Angus Campbell, has questioned the Ministry of Defence’s financial forecasts in their plans to wind down operations in the Uists and St Kilda.
Mr Campbell said: ”It is becoming more and more apparent that some of the sums in the MoD plans are unlikely to add up. For instance in the case of St Kilda case there does not appear to be any sum put aside for reinstatement following the removal of facilities previously used by the MOD on the Island. Given that the local community cannot apply for a single turbine without having to agree to reinstatement as part of their planning application, I am sure the MOD will be keen to reinstate St Kilda back to the green field site that it was when they went there. We know this was estimated as being at least £10m in 1994. Given the now unique status of the Island a more likely cost would be in excess of £20m. How does that fit in the financial plan that the MOD are putting to Ministers?
This seems to be an extra cost and makes the financial case even less viable that it already was. We are not convinced there are savings for the UK as a whole in this, and we really need to examine the business case to ensure that all relevant costs and the profiling of these costs are included. We would ask Ministers to look at this as a matter of urgency.”
Meanwhile, commenting on the extension of the consultation period by 15 days, Mr Campbell said: “Whilst the increase in the consultation period is welcome it is still totally inadequate. We are looking for a minimum 90 days consultation to allow proper time for research to be carried out. This is too important a matter to be rushed through”.
The Hebrides Range Task Force is a multi-agency group formed to fight the Ministry of Defence’s plans to shed 125 jobs.
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Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822622 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk
Ruairidh Maciver
Communications Assistant
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Tel: 01851 822615 (Work)
Tel: 07881 774601 (Mobile)
email: ruairidh.maciver@cne-siar.gov.uk
