This is not a frequently asked question – but it is asked and its important enough to list and answer it. 

The simple answer is that we have received no offer at all from the Council – in fact the Leader has not met with us and there has been no attempt by the Council to discuss issues face to face. In a way we are not surprised about this.   

We make it clear that we believe that if the Council is at fault it is due to a systemic break down. 

By not going through the planning process first and selling the land with the benefit of planning consent (if it was granted) any action taken by the Council can be thought to be influenced by the need to get the highest possible price to satisfy the Council’s budget.  Indeed the Leader has said that the new administration went ahead with the process because it was in the budget. 

Despite assurances from David Martins that sale’s proceeds won’t be a consideration in the planning processes, the Leader's reasoning illustrates the part human nature plays.  Sale’s proceeds are involved and it is difficult to persuade people that they won’t be in the back of the mind of those who are making the final decision.  

This is why, if the Planning Board vote to grant consent, the application must be called in by Scottish Ministers – any hint of suspicion, however small and unjustified, must be assuaged. 

It is interesting to note that the greatest number of hits on FAQ’s have been in relation to sewers and pollution risk from the old quarry.  Not by a large proportion, but it does illustrate that there is a need for the public to know that there is a plan for the future. 

We have ideas for what could happen.  Unfortunately our plans when we sought the right to buy have been some what depleted by the expense of fighting the sale for residential development.  

However we think that there are exciting things that could be done and we will publish on “Find Out” some ideas in the next few days.