Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council objects to plan for 30-year lease for Black Isle campsite; row comes amid public consultation with Highland Council
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A ROW has erupted over a request from the operators of a Black Isle camp site on common good land that they be granted a new 30-year lease when their current lease expires in 2025.
Now Highland Council has launched a public consultation to assist their consideration of the future lease of Fortrose Bay Campsite.
Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council (FRCC) has objected. In a letter to Highland Council FRCC says: "While the community council applauds the excellence of those running the site we can see no justification for a lease of this length and, prior to this consultation, have advised the Common Good Trustees (Highland Council) that we oppose an extension of this length."
The site operators Mike and Rachel Brown meanwhile have appealed to the local community to send letters of support to Highland Council.
The caravan park covers 3.5 acres along the foreshore.
In 2004 a lease was granted until 2025, and in 2015 the lease was assigned for the remainder of the lease term to the Browns.
Highland Council in outlining the proposal said: "Since acquiring the tenancy, the current tenants have undertaken extensive improvements, provided local employment and increased occupancy including with returning visitors.
"The tenants have asked the council to consider a new lease of 30 years from the end of the present lease term which will give them the security to continue to invest in the caravan park, grow the business and see a return on their level of investment. The proposal would also provide Fortrose and Rosemarkie Common Good fund with security in knowing that the caravan park is being managed by tenants who are committed to seeing it thrive and develop."
A similar lease request has been received for Rosemarkie caravan site from the club that operates it.
In a letter to Highland Council, FRCC chairman Dr Tom Heath said: "The proposals raise serious questions. Why haven't both been put out to tender to determine the value of the sites?
"Why does Highland Council consider it appropriate to consider very long leases for these valuable assets when market conditions and valuations will change dramatically over such period?
"Why is it necessary to consider these new leases at this time with at least four years of existing leases to run and without publicising the opportunity to other interested parties ?
"There is considerable danger that if these discussions continue without commercial realism there will be a major loss to the Common Good. We will continue to work to avoid that."
Mrs Brown said: "We hope to commit our long-term future to running the campsite. As part of the community, we realise the importance of considering locals in the way we operate the campsite. We employ four people at present and have built an excellent reputation across social media and review platforms.
"We have invested considerable effort and expense in making the campsite a safe and a welcoming place to be, and as a result, we now have people returning year after year.
"We would like to invest further in improving the facilities but feel hindered by the shortness of the five year lease.We don't feel that we have the sole right to run the campsite forever, but we have demonstrated ourselves to be reliable lease holders whose intention is to run a successful campsite that benefits the Black Isle and the local community.
"If the lease goes out to tender, the community isn’t guaranteed the site won’t be run solely for profit to the detriment of the local area."
