Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
PRESS RELEASE
01 May 2001
For Use: Immediately
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Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 01 May 2001 For Use: Immediately | |
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has welcomed the agreement of the Ministry of Defence to transfer ownership of 89 houses at Balivanich to the Comhairle which will allow a major redevelopment programme to go ahead, boosting jobs and economic development in the area.
Chairman of Housing, Mr. George Lonie, said: "It is excellent news for the Western Isles that agreement on the sale of houses in Balivanich has eventually been reached with the MoD accepting the offer of £85,000 from the Comhairle. This will allow us to start work on the £2.8m improvement and regeneration works in Balivanich and work will begin as soon as possible once the deal is formally concluded by solicitors on both sides.”
Calum MacDonald M.P. for the Western Isles, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the MOD and the Council have reached an agreement on the Balivanich houses. This secures the £2.8 million investment programme and is a huge boost to the local economy. As well as improving the local environment and providing new housing opportunities for local families, it will also provide valuable jobs for local contractors and tradesmen over the next two years.
“I want to congratulate the local councillors in particular for their efforts on behalf of their communities, as well as the Chairman and officials of the Council’s Housing Department, and everyone on the Uist Co-ordinating Committee who have worked so hard.
“The deal itself is a first-class one for the Council and the local community.
It has been very frustrating at times over the last six months or so, but it
has all been worth it. All the uncertainty has now been lifted and we can go
ahead and deliver an outstanding renewal programme for the Southern Isles.”
The long running negotiations over the deal have finally been concluded in principle
which means that the £2.8m regeneration programme for Balivanich will
be able to proceed.
Local Councillor James L. Macarthur said: “I very much welcome the fact that agreement has been reached on this matter. The Uists have suffered badly from economic decline in recent years, particularly with the rundown of MoD personnel, and are badly in need of the kind of boost for economic development that this regeneration programme will bring.”
The Comhairle has planned a comprehensive programme of alterations, improvements, house sales, demolitions and estate improvements to the housing area of Balivanich but the delay in securing agreement had meant a delay in the regeneration programme.
The next stage will be discussions with local organisations on the detail of the improvements planned for the area.
The £2.8m for the improvement programme was secured by the Comhairle from the Scottish Executive as an additional borrowing consent.
Ends
Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk