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Cultybraggan Camp Purchase:
comments to CDT Secretary 14th August 07
Hugh Rose
Comrie Resident
Filed 17 Aug 08
©www.land-care.org.uk
Dear Alan,
As you will have gathered, tonight's event (Monday 13th August)
came as a very bad shock to me.
Having been enthusiastic about the potential community purchase
of the camp, as the evening developed, I became ever more concerned.
I am sorry if I appeared rude after the event but:
• I particularly disliked the way appeals
were made to the community's baser instincts - "not to
miss out on making a quick buck" because the land could be
easily be resold at a profit - rather than convincing people by
explaining a rational business and community benefit plan.
• Several inaccurate and misleading
statements given by the panel were unforgivable - "one
or two windows broken" /a couple of copper pipes stolen" .
• The panel also appeared evasive
by failing to identify let alone quantify all the anticipated expenditure
in the early years before any income begins to accrue - we should
not have had to demand figures.
• None of the potential "strategic"
problems or constraints were properly addressed or even raised.
• There was not enough time
to raise all the topics that needed to be explored properly
by direct questions.
• Planning constraints/ services /road
access/ and restrictive community constraints could all have
a bearing on the viability of many of the outline proposals
and even the ability to sell some assets to service or repay loans.
• I (and obviously several others)
expected that this basic work would have been done by a week
before the AGM and would be clearly presented to us by a professional
team.
That did not happen and I was
left wondering whether any realistic business plan has indeed
been prepared and feeling someone was trying to persuade a gullible
community to act without giving them the facts but a combination
of "spin, threats and slogans".
What was the aim of the meeting?
Was I expecting too much? I don't think so.
The website says:...."and prepare a full business plan
to ensure that our plans are financially sustainable. ......
to make sure everyone is ready to take a decision before the deadline."
The Bulletin says: On 13th the consultants will present the answers
to:
1. Where we will raise the purchase costs.
2. What are the legal responsibilities and
running costs for the site.
3. What the uses are that will benefit the
community and make for financial viable development.
Nobody could seriously claim that these published objectives were
achieved tonight.
I hope the Board did a bit of serious soul-searching at its second meeting
and will have some answers for all those in the audience who posed
similar questions to my own.
Yours sincerely
Hugh Rose
Comrie
Perthshire
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