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National Forest Land Scheme

Application Form for Community Acquisition

and the SponsoredSale of Surplus Land

A p p l i c a t i o n F o r m

Forestry Commission Scotland National Forest Land Scheme

Application Form

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Introduction

Please read the relevant parts of the National Forest Land Scheme Guidance before

completing this form. See www.forestry.gov.uk/nfls for the guidance and further

information.

Please answer all the questions. You can attach additional information as extra sheets or

electronic documents. Please be specific. When answering the questions do not repeat

any information you have already given, simply refer to an earlier answer or attached

document.

The level of information you provide should be proportionate to the significance of the land.

See page 9 of the guidance for further information.

You can complete this form electronically but you must print it off and send us a signed

form. If you have completed the form electronically, please also send us an electronic

copy. You can choose to send your supporting documents as electronic documents only.

Please return the completed form and supporting documentation to:

National Forest Land Scheme Team

Forestry Commission Scotland

231 Corstorphine Road

Edinburgh

EH12 7AT

E-mail: [email protected]

You will receive an e-mail within 7 days acknowledging receipt of your application. We may

need to ask you for more information during the application process


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Section 1 – About your organisation

General Contact Details for Your Organisation 1.1 Name of Community Body (CB) (or unincorporated association if applying

under the Sponsored Sale of Surplus Land) North West Mull Community Woodland Company Limited

Full postal address for your organisation

Address

Postcode

Telephone Fax

Email

Your organisation’s website www.nwmullwoods.co.uk

1.2 Title and full name of the main contact in your organisation

Title First Name Surname

Position held in your organisation

Company Secretary

Address for correspondence, if different from the organisation address

Address

Postcode

Telephone

Email

1.3 Title and full name of the Chairperson of your organisation

Title First Name Surname

Address for correspondence, if different from the main contact address

Address l

Postcode

Telephone

Email


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1.4 What is the purpose of your organisation?

Briefly explain the main purpose of your organisation, and what activities and services you undertake. 100 word maximum.

See section 3 of Company's Memorandum of Association, which covers the general scope of the Company's objectives.

The purpose of the organisation is to provide the community with important local amenities, with potential for, amongst many opportunities: job creation, improving the amenity and bio diversity value for local residents and visitors, provision of appropriate areas for local affordable housing, wood related businesses e.g. timber, woodchip, woodfuels etc., provision of areas for local school study groups, consideration of opportunity to create local croft areas.

1.5 What type of organisation are you?

Description Documents to be enclosed Memorandum and Articles of Association

Company Limited by Guarantee (required under Community Acquisition) Yes – please tick

X

Certificate of Incorporation

Unincorporated Association Yes – insert date established

Constitution / Set of Rules

1.6 Does your organisation have charitable status?

Yes – please tick No – please tick X

If yes, please give your registered Inland Revenue Charity Number and provide a copy of your letter of recognition.

1.7 How many voting members does your organisation have? (see Criteria 1, p11 of the Guidelines)

90

1.8 How many members does your management committee, Board of Directors or equivalent have?

10

Please enclose a brief résumé of each of your committee or Board members

1.9 Do local directors/committee members have control of your organisation? (see Criteria 1, p11)

Yes – please tick X No – please tick


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1.10 Please tell us about your community.

We need you to describe your community to allow us to decide whether you have demonstrated community support for the application (see Criteria 3, p13). You must include the location, population size, and a description of your community. This must also include a geographical definition such as community council boundaries, electoral wards, or postcode unit maps. Please also tell us who your neighbouring communities are. 300 words maximum.

The population of your community 350

We are a small but lively community surrounding the village of Dervaig. Dervaig is a small village on the north west of the Isle of Mull. Dervaig lies approximately 8 miles from the island's capital Tobermory. The main industries within the community are tourism, farming, forestry, fishing and fish farming.

Our neighbouring communities are Tobermory, with a population of 1000 approximately, which is almost half the island's population. Salen is a village about 10 miles away with a population of 350.

Both neighbouring communities will have access to resources within the woodland e.g. school study groups, walking etc. Also, individuals and businesses from these areas may make use of any woodfuel that we are able to produce.

The community is defined by the postcode units: PA756QF, PA756QJ,PA756QL,PA756QM, PA756QR, PA756QS,PA756QW, PA756QT, PA756QY, PA756QU, PA756QQ, PA756QH, PA756QX, PA756GN, PA756LY, PA756LZ, PA736LT, PA756LX, PA746NH. This covers an area from Torr Cottage to Ulvaferry.

Initially a steering group was formed and shortly after a public meeting was held in Devaig Village Hall where following full discussion of the opportunity to to purchase West Ardhu and Langamull woodlands a proposal was put to commission a feasibility study. The proposal was approved and following a tendering process Margin was commissioned to carry out the study.

Once the feasibilty study was at final draft stage, an open day was held, with the opportunity for people to discuss the project on a one to one basis, culminating with an evening open meeting and presentation of the feasability study.

A community ballot was then held; with an outside assessor, on whether or not to proceed to purchase. The vote was 197 in favour and 25 against, out of a population of 350.

Throughout the feasability study and subsequently the community has been kept informed by newsletters, email communication, public meetings, notices, local press, personal conversations within the community and a newly set up website (under construction) www.nwmullwoodland.co.uk


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Section 2 – The land that you want to acquire 2.1 Please give the name and location of the land you want to acquire.

You must attach a map clearly showing the land and outlining the boundaries in red (Forestry Commission Scotland will provide you with a copy of the map that you can submit).

The land we wish to acquire is: West Ardhu Woodland, Dervaig Isle of Mull, Argyll PA75 6QR Langamull Woodland, by Dervaig, Isle of Mull, Argyll PA756QS Maps on feasibility study

2.2 What is the size of the property in hectares?

Hectares West Ardhu 440.24 hectares Langamull 250.83 hectares total= 691.07

2.3 Do you wish to lease, or own the land? Please tick one only

Lease

Ownership X


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2.4 Please describe how the community has “a substantial connection with

the land” (Criteria 3).

The community should be situated by, near to, or on, the land. This could also include a description of how the community currently accesses or uses the land and other community interests in the land. 300 words maximum

One woodland, West Ardhu, is nearby and adjacent to the village of Dervaig. Langamull lies between Penmore and Calgary, both small but growing communities. Members are resident nearby both areas. There are no residential properties within the two woodlands. Langamull Farmhouse is accessed via the internal forestry road in the Northern Langamull block and there are a small number of residential properties adjacent to or reasonable close to both Langamull and West Ardhu woodlands. Currently neither woodland is used very extensively by the community or visitors. There are a number of reasons for this, including condition and marking of current paths and trails, variety and quality of access paths, lack of bridleways etc. West Ardhu woodland attracts dog walkers and some birdwatchers. Langamull, with its forest track affording part access to the ancient Kildavie settlement and Langamull beach attracts a considerable number of visitors and local residents during the summer months. Walkers use the public footpath through the Southern block of Langamull which provides a route over the hills to Kilninian. Schools, young people and other residents have all expressed varied interest and desires for greater use of, and increased amenity value with regard to both woodlands, the feasability study, which accompanies this application, amply illustrates this. Adjoining landowners, where possible, were contacted. Little concern was expressed about community ownership and there were positive comments and offers of help. The only concerns related to ongoing fencing quality problems and possible issues relating to timber extraction, e.g. roads.


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2.5 Tell us why your organisation wants to acquire the land?

Please give a brief outline of your plans for the land including the long term objectives you wish to achieve, and how you will manage the land differently. 300 words maximum.

Turning to specifics and listing broadly in order of importance, objectives are as follows:

1) Cutting and clearing at least part of the woodland is a key element and will provide areas and materials for other activities.

2) Improving and generating better habitats, creating hides, opening up the riversides amd improving wetland. This will include specific areas for schools use / youth studies etc.

3) Investigate potential for small holdings and / or crofts, including area for small tree nursery for native/ broadleaf species.

4) Investigate options for provision of affordable housing, particulary in the West Ardhu area.

5) Set up several operations covering timber activities and various types of woodfuel, including woodchip.

6) Create greater diversity of tree species, including native and broadleaf species, and investigate creation of Aboretum.

7) Investigate creation of renewable energy centre.

8) Improve and expand/ create areas/ trails for walking, bridleways and bike tracks.

9) Investigate and possibly create areas for play facilities e.g. children's area/ play park.

It should be noted that priority rankings may need to be reassessed as the project progresses in the light of experience, money and manpower availability, and routine feedback from the community.


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Section 3 - Demonstrating Community Support

3.1 If the land has a market value of less than £50,000 please provide evidence of community support, eg petition, ballot, attendance record and minutes of public meeting (if more than £50 000 go to 3.2).

3.2 Where the land has a market value of £50,000 or more, a ballot is required to demonstrate community support. Please provide the following information.

a. Date of ballot. 31/05/05

b. Question which was put to ballot.

Are you in favour of a community bid for the purchase of Langamull and West Ardhu Woodlands?

Please see enclosed letter signed by John Wilson JP MBE

c. Number of people eligible to vote. 350

d. Number of eligible people who voted, including details of the number of proxy votes.

222

e. Percentage of those eligible to vote who voted (d/c x 100) =

63%

f. Number of eligible people who voted in favour of acquiring the land.

197


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g. Percentage of those voting, that voted in favour (f/d x 100) =

88.7%


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3.3 Name and contact details of organisation making the ballot return Title Mr First Name John Surname Wilson JP MBE

Address Tigh Grianach, Lochdon, Isle of Mull, Argyll

Postcode

Telephone 01680812482

Email


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Section 4 - Capacity to Manage Land

You must be able to show that the organisation has the capacity to sustainably manage the land in the long term (see Criteria 5, p14).

4.1 Business Plan

For all applications to acquire land with a market value of more than £50,000 a business plan will be required

4.2 Business Plan attached


4.3 Please tell us how your organisation has the capacity to manage the land. For example the skills and experience of members of your organisation, your organisation’s track record of managing land or other businesses, your intended use of professional advice, and your plans to manage the land. Maximum 300 words. Please attach any additional documents.

An outline plan taken from the feasibility study will be developed into a more detailed plan before and immediately after acquisition, using our own resources and the services of a full time project manager, who we propose to employ pre acquisition and a part time administrator. Funding for these posts are available via Community Land Unit & The Scottish Land Fund.

Our directors are from a variety of professional backgrounds; business, forestry skills, conservation and environmental. See enclosed C.V.

However we do intend to offer training for our directors, members, volunteers and staff, with the help of The Community Land Unit Skills Development Programme. For skills we are unable to provide we will employ consultants. A skills audit is planned in the community

We have support of Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) a valueable local information resource. RSPB, local Forest Enterprise, Community Land Unit.


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Section 5 – Showing that your plans for the land will provide additional benefit, are consistent with the principles of sustainable development, and are in the public interest

Acquisition should achieve a range of additional public benefits for the community.

These can be listed as economic, social and environmental benefits (but may not

involve all of these). The benefits will come from your planned activities and

outputs. In addition the land to be acquired should be sustainably used or

developed. See Criteria 6 and 7, pp14-15.

5.1 What economic benefits will the land acquisition bring to you and the wider community?

Economic benefits might include new jobs, greater job security, benefits from tourism income generation, timber sales or processing, a wider mix of economic activity in your area, development of renewable energy schemes etc. 300 words maximum.

1) New Jobs created: initially a full time project manager and a part time administrator. More created as the project progresses.

2) Potential timber sales from mobile sawmill, fencing stobs, gates, tables, building materials etc

3) Sales from tree nursery, community run or local bisiness

4) Bio Mass: fuel wood and woodchip, community run or local business

5) Eco Tourism: increased visitor numbers once access paths, bridleways and habitats are developed.

6) Affordable housing: jobs for local residents during construction and on completion for maintenance and administration of housing association. Also increased housing available in area will attract families with children of school age. To help secure the schools future.

7) Indirect benefits for many local/island businesses. Particularly tourism related, from increased visitor numbers


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5.2 What social benefits will the acquisition bring?

Social benefits might include greater community involvement, development of affordable housing, and increased recreation and access benefits for particular groups within the community (eg young or old people, unemployed, disabled). 300 words maximum.

Provision of specific areas for primary school nature study activities.

Provision of area/ areas for affordable housing units, including involvement in planning, construction and on going management.

Youth involvement in path/trail construction/ maintenance.

Opportunities for all the community, of all ages and ability, to get involved in volunteer activities, thus increasing social interaction and community spirit.

Greater opportunities for community interaction in organised events and activities.


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5.3 What environmental benefits will the project bring?

Environmental benefits might include improvements to the way in which the land is managed, habitat benefits, improved deer control, protection or enhancement of archaeological features etc. 300 words maximum.

Environmental benefits include:

Creation of sustainable forest/ woodland, areas of natural regeneration, brought about by stock exclusion and deer management.

Move from conifer to broadleaf/ native species.

Improved access to both sites via more paths and nature trails.

Change in woodland style will result in more varied habitat for Mull wildlife, both flora and fauna.

Plans to use part of timber clearance as source for woodchip fuels - possibly for affordable housing units and other on island users.

Increase in habitat bio diversity due to more sympathetic management techniques.

Preservation of important ancient sites.

5.4 Tell us how you will deliver these economic, environmental, or social benefits.

What projects or outputs will bring theses benefits about?

Tell us about the capital costs involved in the delivery of the projects, and how these will be met. Please refer to any plans or other documents you are submitting. Please also identify the risks of the project not delivering, and how these risks will be managed. Please attach any additional documents. 300 words maximum.

See Feasibility study:

The outline plan taken from the feasibility study will be developed into a more detailed plan before and immediately after acquisition, using our own resources and the services of a project manager, who we propose to employ pre acquisition and an administrator.

The financial projections for each woodland (given for 5 year periods) are based on the assuption that felling and replanting regimes would be undertaken with the objective of changing to largely broadleaved woodlands and enhancing biodiversity, amenity and landscape value.

All elements shown in the projections are those that would normally be included- rough elements are given for lengths of footpaths etc (including some all- ability access). The aim was for these to be sufficiently comprehensive to allow NWMCWC Ltd to fine tune as necessary. A low figure of voluntary input has been shown over a 20 year period, but no other community resources or input included. It is anticipated that significant local community resource will be forthcoming.

Should the project not deliver as per projections we will need to reassess income/ expenditure, & look to the community for more support.

5.5 Do you intend to apply to have forest land independently certified eg. under the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme?



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5.6 What negative economic, social, or environmental consequences (if any) may occur as a result of your plans for the land?

1. The only negative social consequence that we can identify is that we may experience deminishing community support/ involvement.

2. Environmentally the only negative that we can identify is that new roads/ tracks and wood extraction will disturb the present ecosystem within the forests temporarily.

5.7 How would you propose to minimise these?

1. Keeping the community informed by regular newsletters, public meetings, website regularly updated, regular press releases, major issues dealt with openly involving the whole community where possible. There will be a regular rotation of directors. Any employment available should be advertised locally and if possible offered to a member of the community if he/she has suitable skills or is interested in training if appropriate. We aim to have events suitable for all in the community to keep everyone involved.

We aim to attract 150 full members plus associate and junior members.

2. All roads/tracks and wood extraction will be carried out following the Forestry Commission Scotland guidance. Any paths/roads will be built as environmentally sensitively as possible with guidance from appropriate consultants.


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5.8 Please tell us why your acquisition of land would be in the public interest. 300 words maximum.

Acquisition would be in the public interest with regards to providing employment and training for island residents and perhaps incoming workers with special skills. Employment in the following areas: initially a project manager and administrator, forest related employment e.g. timber extraction and production, fencing, path building, deer management, pest control, building, and opportunities for small local businesses including possibly a tree nursery, timber products, forest crofts, fungi production and woodfuels/woodchip to list a few.

The provision of affordable housing is much needed on the island due to high cost of land suitable for development. The project as it progresses will attract and sustain employment in this area. From an increased number of residents our community will be able to support the local schools and small businesses including the local Post Office, shops, food producers, hotels and restaurants.

Habitat restoration and management will ensure that flora and fauna will be protected and attracted to the area, providing increased revenue to the community by way of increased tourism.

Access to the woodlands is limited at present, therefore provision of improved paths/ tracks etc will encourage more local residents and tourists to visit our woods and pomote environmental awareness. Provision of some all- ability access will be included. The woodland can also be seen as a leisure resource with cycling areas encouraging healthy living and exercise.

The preservation and protection of Kildavie settlement and other ancient grounds within the woodland will ensure that future generations are able to enjoy our history.

5.9 Links to other strategies

How will your plans support or compliment local/regional/national strategies?

The application should take into account local strategies and community plans. 100 words maximum.


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The project fits with M.I.C.T.'s rural development and regeneration, provision of affordable housing, creating employment, and renewable energy.

Communities Scotland and Communities Self Build Scotland, and Rural Housing Scotland all support rural housing and development.

SNH and RSPB projects will be complimented by our plans for the woodlands and surrounding areas with improved biodiversity, creation of habitat, education and access. Improved land management.

Argyll & Bute Council's local plan of Dervaig and proposed areas for future development is within the woodland area of West Ardhu.


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5.10 It will be helpful to show that you have gained the support of key stakeholders and user groups for your proposals, including site users from outwith the immediate community.

You can show this through letters of support from local authorities, relevant government agencies, and local community groups or using Scottish Land Fund endorsement forms. Please submit any letters of support or endorsements with your application and record them on the checklist.

Endorsement Forms have been received from the following:

1) Argyll & The Islands Enterprise, Alan Milstead

2) Kilninian and Kilmore Church of Scotland, Dervaig, Isle of Mull, Rev Robert Nelson

3) RSPB Scotland, David Sexton

4) Mull & Iona Community Trust (MICT), Tobermory, Isle of Mull, James Hilder

5) Dervaig Village Hall Trust, Nick Turnbull

6) Argyll & Bute Council, Kevin Williams

7) The Scottish Land Fund, Munro Gauld

Finishing Your Application Applicant Signature

An Office Bearer of the applicant organisation should sign this declaration. It must be a different person to the main contact given in Section 1. Part of the information that you give us will be held electronically. It will be used for administering and analysing applications. I declare that: The information given in this application and in any other documentation that supports this application is accurate. Title First Name Surname

Position held in your organisation

Treasurer and Director

Date 16 January 2006

Signature


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Contact The National Forest Land Scheme Team Forestry Commission Scotland National Office 231 Corstorphine Road Edinburgh EH12 7AT Tel: 0131 334 0303 Fax: 0131 316 6152 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

Published by – Forestry Commission Scotland

© Crown Copyright 2005

Sept 05