Coigeach Community Company Ltd

Questionnaire

Coigach Community Company Ltd.
Community Consultation
Drumrunie Estate - The Future is in Your Hands!

23rd December 2004

Dear Sir/Madam,

Coigach Community Company Ltd. (CCC) was recently created to investigate the feasibility of a community buy out of Drumrunie Estate. CCC's registration of interest was this week accepted by the Scottish Executive Minister in charge of community land buy-outs under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act. Registering an interest in this way merely gives your community the chance to decide if a community buy-out is appropriate and practical for your community or not.

A consultancy team, led by economist Steve Westbrook, has been appointed by CCC to prepare a feasibility study on the potential buy-out, and as part of this process your views are being sought. A brief summary of the ideas put forward to date are provided overleaf. Further details will be provided at the forthcoming community Open Day.

Members of the consultancy team, Steve Westbrook and Duncan Bryden, will be available at this event to discuss a wide range of issues, together with CCC committee members. See below for full details. Anyone who wants to offer opinions and ideas in person should attend the Open Day. One to one discussion with the consultants will be possible there, as well as informed group discussions.

Enclosed is a short household questionnaire with a stamped addressed envelope. If you are able to attend the Open Day, please return your questionnaire during or after the Open Day. At the Open Day you will be able to put forward your ideas in greater detail and get further information. If you are unable to attend the Open Day, please use the questionnaire to have your say. Include any ideas you feel are relevant, including potential business developments.

All responses will be treated confidentially. The results of the questionnaire survey and the Open Day will be summarised and passed to the CCC committee and taken into account in the feasibility study.

CCC OPEN DAY: Sat 8th January 2005 - Coigach Village Hall
ALL AGE GROUPS WELCOME - BRING ALONG THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!
Drop In and One-to-ones with consultants: 2pm - 8pm - includes on the spot feedback options

Special Question & Answer Sessions
3.00pm -Crofting, Woodlands, Wildlife, Sport, Game, Renewable Energy & Land Management
6.30pm -Tourism, Local Business Development, Housing, Cultural Heritage & Partnership Issues

For further information:
Kirsty MacLeod
ARC c/o Assynt Office Services
187 Balchladich, STOER, Lochinver, Sutherland IV27 4JJ
Tel/Fax: 01571 855212
e-mail: assyntofficeservices@btinternet.com

Coigach Community Company Ltd. - Main Issues and Ideas to Date

What are the Company's aims?
To conserve and regenerate the Coigach and Drumrunie Forest area for the benefit of the Coigach community and the wider public
To foster, plan and encourage measures that will be of educational, environmental, cultural, local or recreational benefit to the Coigach community and the wider public
To promote knowledge and understanding of the sustainable development of the Coigach and Drumrunie Forest area

Land Management - Explore options for Conservation Management Agreements:
Approach SNH and FCS to establish management and monitoring of designated sites (creating employment)
Obtain funding for production of a management plan for the Estate and for footpath agreements and interpretive publications
Establish a national stewardship role for local community in looking after this nationally important natural and cultural landscape
Explore a new zoning process to manage sustainable development e.g. Community Zone, Recreation Zone, Wildland Zone
Restore National Nature Reserve Status for Drumrunie
Fishing, Sport & Game

Deer Management - to improve habitats and enhance economic opportunities
Diversify the market for stag and hind stalking for local demand, adventure holidays and traditional markets to help deliver both income and cull targets
Improve road safety in relation to deer
Re-establish grouse moors

Brown Trout Fishing - Maintain and improve the fishing, and generate visitor income

Wildlife, Nature & The Environment
Improve biodiversity management and habitats, especially for internationally important species like Eagles, Otters, Greenshank, FW Pearl Mussel and 'Biodiversity Action Plan' species like Water Vole

Crofting Agriculture & Horticulture
Explore potential to create new crofts or agricultural holdings
Explore opportunities for livestock production in conjunction with new crofts/small holdings

Housing and Local Services
Assess potential for affordable housing plots - key problems are services and access
Controlled sale of private housing plots?
Promote community transport in the area, and between the area and Lochinver and Ullapool

Tourism & Recreation - Focus on tourism which brings value over volume - Eco tourism:
Promote opportunities to give people experience of the special wild land qualities of Drumrunie, including eco buildings there
Exploit the new Geopark status to attract visitors
Establish a rock climbing centre
Improve viability of local accommodation and other businesses through increased visitor trade

Local Business Development - Employment opportunities:
Habitat management (Deer stalking/monitoring) and woodland management
Other development of new or existing businesses utilising estate land or linked to estate assets

Archaeology, History & Culture
Gaelic placenames project and interpretation of the cleared township

Renewable Energy
Explore the potential to generate income through renewable energy sold through the grid or to provide energy at small scale for clusters of buildings

Woodlands & Forestry
Improve woodlands in serious decline, unify woodland fragments and enhance the existing Woodland Grant Scheme at Drumrunie junction
Encourage modest expansion of new and existing woodland areas through Woodland Grant Scheme and promote natural regeneration

Partnership Working
Investigate a buy-out in partnership with suitable charitable organisations e.g. The John Muir Trust
Manage the Estate in partnership with Glencanisp Estate if the Assynt Foundation is successful in purchasing this neighbouring land

Drumrunie Estate - The Future is in Your Hands!

Please fill in the number in each age group in your household as appropriate:
0 - 14 Years 15 - 24 years 25 - 64 years 65 years & over
Male Female

1. Do you agree with the Community Company's aims as described on the Main Issues page?

2. In your view what are the best 3 ideas for development of Drumrunie?

3. In your view what are the 3 least appropriate ideas for development of Drumrunie?

4. What is your long term VISION for Drumrunie?

5. Do you think a partnership between Coigach and Assynt would be an appropriate way forward in buying and managing Drumrunie and the neighbouring Glencanisp Estate?

What Kind of Developments Would You Support?

6. Below are some topics which may have development or business potential. Please comment on the ideas listed on the previous Main Issues page and add your own thoughts and ideas too. Add extra pages if you wish.

Fishing, Sport & Game
Wildlife, Nature & the Environment
Land Management
Crofting Agriculture & Horticulture
Housing and Communities Services
Tourism & Recreation
Local Business Development
Archaeology, History & Culture
Renewable Energy
Woodlands & Forestry
Partnership