Gairloch meeting into Shieling proposals cancelled amidst GALE allegations of ‘threats’ and possible ‘public disorder’
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A PUBLIC meeting into controversial plans for the development of a community hub in a Wester Ross village has been postponed with just a day’s notice amid allegations of “threats” being made.
The Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) announced earlier this month it had successfully concluded the purchase of a building known as The Shieling which it says will drive benefits for the local economy and act as a catalyst for social, cultural, and economic development.
But a number of people have expressed unease about the deal and voiced concerns of the possibility of a development achieved with public funding creating unfair competition for existing businesses.
A public meeting - with a capped capacity of 50 people and requiring advanced online registration - has now been cancelled after claims by GALE that it has become aware “there are plans by some local residents to create public disorder”.
”Thank you for your understanding and support. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.”
GALE has also published an extensive Q&A based on answers to questions those registering to attend had asked in advance.
These can be read via this link.
The Scottish Land Fund (SLF) awarded GALE a grant of £337,724. The Community Ownership Fund (COF) awarded GALE a grant of £128,129. Possible projects include a community pub, a local bakery, a refillery, pop-up restaurants, additional office accommodation and meeting space, kitchen facilities, and expanded growing space.
Gairloch Community Council issued a statement of its own in response to concerns voiced locally.
It said: “At its monthly meeting on 8th April, members of the Gairloch Community Council firmly reinforced their view that the activities proposed by GALE for The Shieling building (as laid out in GALE's email sent the same day) had the potential to displace economic activity from other local businesses.
“The view was expressed that, in order for this project to have any real benefit for the communities that GALE is constituted to serve, the board of GALE needs to listen to the concerns of businesses within these communities and avoid the further use of public funding to create unfair competition.”
The police have been approached by us for comment and GALE asked to enlarge on its concerns about threats being made and the advice it was given.
