Anger after community bid for Glenmore campsite is snubbed by public agency
Wider support has come in – along with frustration – after a community was bidding to take over the running of Badenoch and Strathspey’s largest camping and caravan park did not even made the final shortlist.
Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust (AGCT) had tendered for the long-term lease put out by the government agency Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) for Glenmore campsite.
They have been left frustrated and infuriated by the snub which they believe flies in the face of Scottish Government policy.
AGCT director Mike Dearman told the Strathy: “We hear an awful lot about engaging and empowering communities but the practical reality is that unless you want to take on public toilets or a piece of forest somewhere, it is just not possible.”
The trust said the tender contained “exciting” proposals to resolve some of the challenges at Loch Morlich and Glenmore with the help of the local community.
These included a ranger base to monitor fires and dirty camping at the beauty spot where there have been regular problems with anti-social behaviour.
The community trust believes that those shortlisted are essentially the highest bidders.
Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry (SNP) said: "I share the frustration and disappointment the trust and local residents feel – this is a devastating blow.
"I passionately support the ambitions of the Aviemore and Glenmore Trust and and as we all know, they and the entire community put a power of work into the bid.
"I have already relayed these sentiments to Forestry and Land Scotland, and the Minister for Environment and Land Reform, whom I have also asked to meet with me to discuss the matter.
"I will continue to work with the trust and local community on this.”
There has been plenty of praise for the efforts made by AGCT after they made the announcement.
Sarah Monro posted: "Crazy, I really thought this would go ahead... I'm now concerned which company we are going to get - hopefully not another Natural Retreats. Well done to you all though; you have worked so hard."
Donald Morris stated: "This is terrible news. The public sector and its officers hold the public in contempt. This is yet another example of individuals and communities putting in huge amounts of work and then being rebuffed....
"How can a community do something positive if the very people who are meant to be supporting them are actively making it harder for communities to have control over their own affairs and develop things for the better?"
Lindsey Alexander posted: "I would be very interested in knowing the reasoning behind the decision. I sinicerely hope that questions are asked, common sense prevails and this decision is reversed."
AGCT director Mike Gale posted: "Absolutely disgusting that our government bodies that should be serving our communities are doing the exact opposite. Bang goes much needed funds that would help to transform our community. Money will go into one person's pocket rather than spreading the wealth amongst the community.
"Our MPs and MSPs need to get a grip of our government agencies."
FLS said it will confirm the successful parties very shortly for all three of the CitF (Camping in the Forest) sites which have been put out to tender at the end of May.
FLS said a total of 11 bidders showed interest in the Glenmore site.
A spokesperson for FLS told the Strathy: “All parties were advised of the commercial bidding process and the evaluation process in advance.
“As well as commercial considerations, an equally important aspect of the evaluation process were future plans for the campsite, that were to align with FLS objectives with the intention of making a positive contribution to the local tourism economy and the community.
“Additional community benefits - and plans for engaging positively with the local community - accounted for 20 per cent of the scoring process.
“Only those bidders that had scored highest across all the criteria were short-listed for further clarification of their proposals.
“We are aware that AGCT is disappointed that they were not successful and are arranging to meet them next week to discuss in further detail why were not successful.”
AGCT has already funded and run the successful return of a community ice rink in Aviemore.
Read more on this story in the latest Strathy now on sale
