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Energy Efficiency Environment Forestry Glendaruel Greener ColGlen News Press & Publicity Projects Renewables Resilience Stronafian

CGDT Statement to the Community Council regarding suggested Public Meeting on Community Wind Turbines

With regard to the offer made to the community council by the CGDT chair to hold a public meeting to discuss the community project to build two wind turbines in Stronafian Forest, the determination of the Development Trust board on the matter is as follows.

After much discussion the board have decided not to go ahead with a public meeting. There are several reasons for this:

1.  The planning application is being processed and further discussion will not add materially to the outcome of the council’s deliberations.
2.  We have invested over £120,000 in this project as part of a CARES loan. We have match-funded this investment at a rate of 5% of Forest Development Funds. This is a significant commitment for the trust, with these funds being applied for and granted in the full light of community scrutiny through AGMs, published minutes and community plans. We are bound by that commitment to follow the process through and we believe that while it is everyone’s right to have a view on a planning application, we are disappointed that the community members who are now so strenuously objecting didn’t make their views known at an earlier juncture and in a spirit of consensual community planning.
3.  We are further disappointed that these concerns were not raised when the initial planning decision to allow a met mast to be constructed was made.
4.  Furthermore, and in the light of 2 & 3 above we are more than content that there were sufficient public consultation meetings over the last 2 years for the community to be fully appraised of the project. The Community Council is well aware that owning and running our own renewables project has been a primary objective for the Trust since 2009.
5.  We are not convinced that a further meeting will provide any level of resolution for either those who support the trust’s application or those who do not. We are concerned that if we provided a community forum in this format there is likely to be a deepening of the adversarial climate which has emerged over the issue.
6.  The Development Trust has maintained a transparent stance with regard to the project, and have always encouraged members of the community to come to the board, individual directors or our staff to express concerns.
7.  As we have said repeatedly at AGMs and other meetings, the Development Trust would rather those whose are dissatisfied with our progress, step up, become directors or members of working groups and help direct the trust’s agenda.
8.  We stand by our assertions of the benefit of this development to the whole community: in its ability to offset many of the cuts the council is having to apply; and in its support of the development plan (redrafted in 2013) which the Development Trust is following (and which is published through the CGDT website).
9.  Lastly, planning consent if we receive it, is only one step along a much longer road which involves subsidy levels, funding rounds, finance and business planning – all of which will dictate whether or not this is a viable project. To go forward this project must earn the community at least £57,500 per annum on average in combined profit and community benefit.

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Colintraive Energy Efficiency Environment Forestry Glendaruel News Projects Renewables Resilience Stronafian

Update: CGDT Community Wind Turbines at Stronafian

We are presently awaiting determination over our planning application for the siting to two community wind turbines on Stronafian Forest. The decision should be imminent, but in the meantime we have recently been asked about the financial forecasts that we are working with.

Firstly we should say that we are legally bound by confidentiality agreements which protect the intellectual property rights of our wind turbine developer.

The legal conditions on our working financial forecasts begin with this statement:

By receiving this document, CGDT (“the recipient”) agrees to keep permanently confidential the information contained herein or made available in connection with any further enquiries (the “Information Provided”). The Information Provided may be made available only to a the recipient’s employees and professional advisors directly involved in the appraisal of such information. The Information Provided shall not, either in whole or in part, be copied, reproduced, distributed or otherwise made available to any other party in any circumstances … nor may it be used for any other purpose than that for which it is intended.

Unfortunately, this is not ideal, and it means we can only talk in very general terms about the figures we have been given. Firstly, there are two forms of income which will accrue to the community. There will be community benefit payments (which all windfarm developers pay) which will be at a rate of over £5000 per MW/h. This will be set aside in a trust for the community to use, rather as it has been for the Cruach Mhor Windfarm Trust. There will also be profits earned by the installation as profit by an arms­length subsidiary of CGDT’s. These profits will be paid to the Development Trust tax free, given its charitable status, and will amount to at least £50,000 per annum on average over the lifetime of the installation, and probably much more. Of course our forecasts also include variables such as interest rates and the types of loans we will be able to obtain, but by using the arms’­length company we limit the liability to CGDT and therefore the community as well. Indeed, the profits I mention take into account all the costs incurred in installation, operation and dismantlement.

Once we have returned the forest to its pristine pre­wind turbine state we anticipate the community will have had the opportunity to benefit from well over £2M. CGDT has obtained over £2.5M funding for projects thus far from an initial seed investment of c. £50K by the Cruach Mhor Windfarm Trust, the potential therefore for Colintraive and Glendaruel to draw down much greater funding becomes possible with the advent of these turbines and the income they will provide.

When and if we receive consent, we will then be in a position to finalise the figures further, and we hope to give a more detailed answer to everyone. Of course, the delays on the planning decision erode this, particularly after the recent changes made by the Westminster Government on renewables.

Indeed, it is the view of the Wind Turbine working group, that if the project wasn’t able to return an income of £50,000 per annum on average, then it would recommend to the board of the trust that the project shouldn’t go forward, even with consent given.

We thoroughly understand that some members of the community have objections to the appearance of the turbines themselves. However, we would argue, that (a) the benefit accruing to the community is worth it (b) the turbines will be there only for the lifetime of the project, and then taken down. The success on Gigha shows that turbines can work well for a community, providing a basis for real and lasting change.

To show the impact, from perhaps the most critical view, we have taken a screengrab of the wireframe and photomontage showing the visual impact of the turbines. The first image is a closeup, and the second gives the full panorama.

Please note the wireframes do not show the masking effect of vegetation, including the commercial forestry plantation, however the photomontage does. In this case, for this view, only the closest of the turbines is visible over the tops of the trees:

160329-windturbines

The full panorama is below:

160329-full-view

The full set of montages are available at the Development Trust office.

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Clachan CRtB Glendaruel Glendaruel Hotel Ideas News Projects Stronafian

Clachan Hub Project: Community Meeting 3

At the Glendaruel Hall on Saturday 16th Jan, 11 am!

The appraisal of the potential sites is now complete and we will score the options against how they meet our criteria.

Our meeting will be facilitated by the consultants – the Design Team and Business planning team, who look forward to meeting everyone.

Clachan Hub meeting notes

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Climate Challenge Fund Colintraive Energy Efficiency Environment Forestry Glendaruel Greener ColGlen News Opportunities Projects Renewables Resilience Stronafian

Stronafian Windfarm Application Papers

All the documents pertaining to our recent application to Argyll and Bute Council for permission to erect two wind turbines in Stronafian Forest are available here.

This application represents one facet of CGDT’s integrated plan to ensure that our community is sustainable and successful in the long term.

More information will be available at our AGM on the 13th September at 2pm in Glendaruel Village Hall.

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Broadband Clachan Colintraive Glendaruel News Projects Renewables Resilience Stronafian

Community Consultation, 18th June at 7pm

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION MEETING

Thursday 18th June 2015

7pm – Glendaruel Village Hall

Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust are holding a meeting on Thursday 18th of June 2015 at 7pm in the Glendaruel Village Hall to discuss the proposal for a 2 x 500KW Community Wind Project within Stronafian Community Forest.

Renewables consultants, staff and Board members will be in attendance to answer your questions and describe the proposal to you in detail.

Updates on some of our other work within the Community Forest, The Cowal Way Long Distance Footpath, Community Broadband and the proposed Micro Hydro Scheme at Duiletter will also be provided.

We value your input and look forward to seeing you.

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Forestry News Press & Publicity Projects Recruitment Renewables Stronafian Woodland Crofts

We’re recruiting at CGDT!

COMMUNITY FOREST DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

  • Contract worth:  £28,000
  • Initial period: 1 Year

A varied role with sustainable woodland development its core and community revitalisation its heart.

Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust is recruiting for a new Community Forest Project Officer to work with the board over the coming year to maintain the momentum in our high profile and highly successful Stronafian Forest Project.

Purchased in February 2013 for £1.55M Stronafian forest is the trust’s flagship project, providing a focus for the community’s aspirations to increase local employment, housing and visitor attractions, as well as sustainable income through renewables. In our first year we met and exceeded many of our funder-led objectives, but it is in our second year we expect the project to take off and provide the foundation for an ongoing and exemplary community endeavour.

On the agenda for a successful candidate will be woodland crofts, the chambered cairn, a wind turbine, woodland burials, access design and management, deer management, woodfuel, walker and mountain bike use and a potential dark skies park. Of course there will also be funder liaison, including claims and report writing, as well as all the necessary administrative tasks which come with that, and equally important will be liaison with the community, our commercial forestry tenant and their clients.

The role is therefore multi-faceted, needing a person with the strategic vision to manage the project, and also the experience both at a commercial and community levels who understands the forestry context.

With potential to continue beyond the period we are now advertising for, the focus in the coming year will be to continue with our highly successful and motivated community working groups as well as pursuing positive outcomes with the wind turbine, crofting, housing and biomass.

Based at the Colintraive Village Hall office, the successful candidate will become part of a highly successful team at the trust which is presently delivering excellent and ongoing Climate Challenge Fund Project “Greener ColGlen”, as well as planning the revitalisation of the Cowal Way, a Community Broadband project for Southwest Cowal and a further community asset acquisition.

We are open to applications from candidates who cannot commit to a full-time contract but are willing to share it on a pro rata part-time basis.

Application packs are available by writing to Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust, The Village Hall, Colintraive, Argyll, PA22 3AS, via email at cgdt@cgdt.org, can be downloaded here, or by telephoning 01700 841358.   Applicants should be available for immediate start.   Closing date for applications Monday 28th April 2014

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Environment Forestry Glendaruel Ideas News Opportunities Projects Renewables Stronafian Woodland Crofts Working Groups

Community Forest Masterplan Final Update

21st March Colintraive Village Hall 6pm 

You are welcome to attend this event to discuss the final version of what we have been working on together.

Copies of the final version of the Community Forest Masterplan have been made available to read in the Glendaruel Village Hall and the Colintraive Village Hall (subject to the halls being open).

Refreshments available on the night.

Here’s the plan: Stronafian Masterplan

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Archaeology Glendaruel News Opportunities Press & Publicity Projects Stronafian

Archaeology Weekend 23 & 24 November, 10.30am – 3.00pm

Work with Archaeology Scotland on this brand new project to discover the chambered cairn, working in Colintraive Village Hall and on site at the Cairn. If you are unable to attend both days or for all of the sessions, that’s fine.

Everybody is welcome, with any level of archaeological knowledge. This will be a 2 year community project. Your knowledge and input are very welcome and you will be in a position to help interpret and access the Cairn from the very start.

Adopt-a-Monument is a nation-wide Community Archaeology scheme that provides volunteer groups with the practical advice and training they need to care and conserve their local heritage. The project encourages groups to get involved in hands-on activities to improve the condition, accessibility and interpretation of their chosen site. Between 2011 and 2016, we will work with 40 community groups to equip volunteers with new skills in archaeological fieldwork and conservation, which can be used again and again to promote the heritage of their local area. More information on Adopt-a-Monument can be found on our website www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk .

While the aims for this project are still being decided, we felt we can help with the following aspects.

•         Provide training to survey, record and monitor cultural heritage assets within the woodland [Field Survey, detailed site survey/ desk based research]

•         Help advise with path creation, interpretation (both with panels and leaflets, but also through digital interpretation)

•         Help create a management plan for the cultural heritage assets within the woodland

•         Help advise on future fundraising, project planning, insurance

•         Can help the group network with other community archaeology groups within Scotland 

We are keen though for the project to develop how you, the participants want it to! If you are particular interested in a particular archaeological feature or are keen to develop a specific archaeological skill, we will try (when possible!) to build that into the project.”

Lunch and refreshments are provided on both days. Participants must dress for the weather conditions and sound footwear is strongly advised. The access route to the Cairn can be quite challenging and demands a certain level of mobility and fitness. If you decide not to walk the route there will be other archaeological activities on site. If you would like to participate in the weekend event please email Mark at mark@cgdt.org or phone the office in Colintraive on 01700 841358. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you there.

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Environment Forestry Glendaruel News Stronafian Woodland Crofts

Stronafian Forest Woodland Crofting Event!

On Saturday 9th November between 10.30am-2pm at the Colintraive Village Hall, the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust will be holding an event that will enable potential woodland crofters the opportunity to register an interest for a woodland croft in the Stronafian Community Forest.

This event will consist of discussions and expert advice, followed by site visits to potential woodland croft areas. There will be a light lunch provided and attendees will need to dress accordingly to suit the weather conditions.

The information you provide on the woodland croft form below will be shared with the Woodland Crofts Partnership. Analysis of information you submit on the form will provide the starting point for discussions.

We would welcome any other information that is not covered in the form and please include your suggestions for topics or issues you would like to discuss on the day.

Please complete and return the form no later than 31st October by email to: mark@cgdt.org

Or by post to:

Mark Chambers, Community Forest Development Officer, Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust,  The Village Hall, Colintraive, Argyll, PA22 3AS

Stronafian Community Forest Registration Form

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Forestry News Opportunities Stronafian Working Groups

Forest Focus Group Meeting!

On Thursday 10th October 6pm-8pm at the Colintraive Village hall

Welcome to a community open evening to discuss and establish the following:

  • Name of the group
  • Aims, the reasons for forming the group
  • Objectives of the group
  • Powers of the group
  • Sharing tasks within the group

Following this we will look in more depth at Forest access, associated challenges and your solutions.

Homemade soup and refreshments available.

All welcome!!