A major boost for the driving Mull and Iona Community Trust [MICT] and the community of Ulva Ferry in North West Mull, recognises the soundness of MICT’s strategic capability and planning.
MICT has been granted £451.000 from the Coastal Communities Fund.
The Government fund, from Crown Estate marine revenue, supports the economic development of UK coastal communities by promoting sustainable economic growth and jobs, so that people are better able to respond to the changing economic needs and opportunities in their area.
The grant will be used by MICT to build a pontoon at Ulva Ferry, providing berthing for yachts and safe access for tour and ferry operators and to local people and visitors to the area. It will also offer facilities for local fishermen.
Ulva Ferry Local Development Officer, Cally Fleming says: ‘Sailing tourism is increasing on the West Coast of Scotland.
However there are no berthing facilities on the West of Mull – which has some of the most spectacular sailing on the West of Scotland.
This facility will complement other pontoon facilities within a day’s sail – such as at Lochaline, Tobermory, Salen Jetty and Loch Sunart – and will help to open up the sailing grounds on the West of Mull to more yachtsmen.
The Community Development Plan indicated a water’s edge development as one of the priorities and this project was conceived as a result. The pontoon will capitalise on Mull’s National Scenic Area status and help to stimulate a new sector of tourism to the area.
Helen MacKay, convenor of Ulva School Community Association [USCA] says: ‘This award is fantastic news.
‘The development of a pontoon at Ulva Ferry comes at a time when other projects in the area are developing projects in, for example, affordable housing. It will provide locally based jobs and development opportunities and will be a real boost to the area.
‘We plan to start ground works on the pontoon later in 2014 and have scheduled the opening of the facility for the start of the 2015 season. The pontoon will have electricity, water and fuel facilities.
A second phase of the project for a shore facilities building is planned for 2016 with work underway to secure funding for this phase of the development.’
The Ulva Ferry project and MICT
The Ulva Ferry project was set up by HIE and MICT in 2012, after the successful campaign in 2011 by Ulva School Community Association [USCA] to save Ulva School from threat of closure.
The area was designated a community account managed project by HIE through its Growth at the Edge Project [GATE] programme. This is an initiative created by Highlands and Islands Enterprise [HIE] in response to the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy. This strategy looks to find means to allow people access to employment opportunities and a quality of life, regardless of their geographical location within Scotland.
The markedly energetic Mull and Iona Community Trust was formed in 1997 and is one of more than 200 Development Trusts across Scotland. They are community controlled for the long term benefit of their neighbourhood. MICT are involved a wide range of services and projects that range from a dementia singing group to a £1m Hydro scheme.
