Category: Feasibility and Planning

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Moorings

Since the Keose Glebe Community acquired ownership of the foreshore around the estate, including the majority of the bay at Port na Caraigh (up to the Carrington’s Garages), there have been a number of requests or expressions of interest from people looking to obtain a mooring for their boats here.

The existing moorings around Tavay are in limited supply, but the tidal nature of the bay, together with general access and other difficulties, makes short term or ‘easy’ expansion problematic.

Moorings in deeper waters are still governed by the Crown Estate (who we hope to meet this month)

We are, however, keen to see what expertise and advice can be brought to the matter, and what funding can be obtained to improve matters and access for all would-be users (without any detriment to the current mooring holders). Initially therefore, we would like to (informally at this stage):

Draw up a register of the current moorings, their locations and holders;

  • Assess the demand for additional moorings and facilities – initially from the inhabitants of the villages of Keose and Keose Glebe, but from further afield also;
  • To get some initial thoughts and comments from any interested party – both on what could and needs to be done around the bay and harbour, and any negative issues that affect use and enjoyment at the present time.

Please contact us with your information, views and expressions of interest.

 

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Developing a Pathway Network

As was highlighted in our buyout feasibility study last year, walking is an activity with many health and other benefits, both for residents and visitors alike…perhaps fortunately for us – in both good and bad weather(!)

While there is a general right to roam here, as long as damage or disturbance is not being caused – difficulties arising from the terrain itself, access through fields and fences, and general underfoot conditions, makes walking around the villages perhaps more arduous than we would like.

This means that we often miss out on the best routes and views that the place can offer, and other historic or interesting places.

Without any designated routes, choice of pathways, age and ability and ‘all year round’ options, we are primarily left with only the main road into the villages – not ideal from a safety point of view, or for generating ongoing interest or supporting the formation of good and interesting habits.

We would therefore like to investigate the development of a paths network – both on the Keose Glebe estate itself, and linked to and around the village of Keose.

A number of (unsurfaced) historic paths and rights of ways exist, although these have fallen out of general use in recent years, and there are also a number of moor roads and tracks that could possibly link together and form part of this network (see below)

Landowner, Grazings and individual crofter permissions would have to be sought here as appropriate, and the necessary gates, fences etc erected and installed…but it could all be done in a way that would be of benefit to all.

Again, your thoughts, comments and ideas here would be welcome.

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Meeting: European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

As part of creating a masterplan for the estates development, we have arranged to meet Peter Middleton from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to discuss funding opportunities available through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

He will be in the village on Tuesday,  26th July at 7pm – firstly for a walk around the harbour area, and then Peter will join us in te Estate Office for further discussion.

Please come along if you would like to meet Peter, or if you have ideas for developing the harbour area.

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Estate Strategic Planning Meeting

A Community meeting will be held in the Keose Meeting House on Wednesday, 6th July at 7pm.

An update on the buyout will be provided, there will be discussion regarding the development plans of the estate, and also some news about new projects that will need community and crofter consideration.

We would very much like to see you there, but we are happy to discuss any issues if you are unable to attend.
Just get in touch.

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Village Heating

As part of the background research to support our Renewables Feasibility Study,  we are collecting information on the types of home heating currently being used in the community.

One of the Directors will be in touch to gather the required details, and it would be useful if we can get as many responses as possible.

The data will be used to assess energy needs and demand, and what technologies are best suited to our situation and circumstances.

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Further Project Development

We have begun work on further research on three projects that were identified in the Feasibility study last year.

An investigation into the requirements, costs and issues relating to a Multi-purpose Community building in this area is currently being undertaken by Robert Fraser, an architectural firm based in North Uist (http://www.fraserarchitecture.co.uk/).

The firm have visited the Keose/Keose Glebe villages and made some initial surveys in terms of assessing existing infrastructure, village topography, planning requirements, parking etc.

We hope that once these preliminary findings are available, we can, with consultation and input from the communities, agree on an appropriate building and site to take forward to the next stage of funding and detailed consideration.

£10,000 has also been awarded to Keose Glebe by CARES – the Scottish Government ‘Community And Renewable Energy Scheme’.

This is to allow us, with assistance from Local Energy Scotland and Community Energy Scotland, to assess the potential of developing appropriate renewable energy project in this area.

We have awarded this work to a Company called Ecodyn (http://www.ecodyn.com/), and we hope to have our first initial meeting with them this week (19th April).

Further feasibility work on walks/a walks network, and a sheep stock club are currently being tendered – hopefully we will have further news on these matters shortly.

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