News Listing
BSCC AGM 2011
A great evening, thanks to all who attended.
A Community Woodland for Broadford
Broadford & Strath Community Company [BSCC] is delighted to announce the purchase 23 hectares of land to create a Community Woodland, providing a much needed recreational space for the benefit of the community and visitors alike.
The land has been purchased from Forestry Commission Scotland and is the result of over ten years of campaigning. Fundraising has been supported by the community, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the Highland Council and the James Thin Trust. £20,000 pounds has already been raised of the £35,000 purchase price. Chair of BSCC, Alistair McPherson said: “The woodland will be a tremendous asset to the community, fulfilling long-held ambitions and become a great legacy for future generations.We hope that members of the community will bring forward their ideas on how best we can use and develop the site.”
Initial suggestions include a community run campsite, events/sports space, paths network, mountain bike trails, nature trails and the re-planting of native, mixed woodland. The community woodland will provide a safe recreational space for people of all ages to enjoy, where local biodiversity is protected and, with initiatives such as the campsite and events space, a sustainable source of income for the communities of Broadford and Strath.
The woodland will also provide a training area for West Highland College’s Rural Skills course which is now based at the Broadford learning centre. Course leader Richard Strivens said: “The woodland will provide an excellent resource for the students to develop and apply their rural skills while contributing to the conservation of the local environment.”
The purchase of the woodland follows achievements including the linked heritage trail and the Broadford River footbridge, completed last December. Continual fundraising efforts will be required to put each phase in place. At present the site is partially felled, the first phase will be clearance of stumps and provision of access. This is planned to commence early in 2012.
Broadford and Strath Community Company will hold their annual general meeting on Tuesday 1 November, 7.30pm in Broadford Village Hall. The meeting will be followed by an open evening to celebrate the purchase of the woodland and consult with the community regarding development opportunities. All are welcome to attend. Details of future fundraising events and initiatives [including a monthly prize draw, Christmas fair and Boxing Day dance] will be given on the night. Members of the committee will be at hand to answer questions about the development.
If you would like more information about the community woodland or to get involved in fundraising please visit www.broadfordandstrath.org or Broadford Environment Group on Facebook.
INVITATION TO TENDER - Business Consultant
Broadford and Strath Community Company (BSCC) is seeking tenders from suitably qualified consultants for the following work:
• To work with the Directors of BSCC to deliver a robust business plan for BSCC over the next five years
• To identify a suitable framework for the community company and associated groups and to develop an effective internal communication strategy
Full information is available here.
Closing date for tenders is 5pm on 26th September 2011
This project is being supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. 
Invitation To Tender - Land Survey
Broadford and Strath Community Company (BSCC) is seeking tenders from suitably qualified contractors for the following work for the proposed community woodland:
• Detailed Topographical Survey Report
• Civil Engineers Site Condition Appraisal & Report
Full information is available in the Invitation To Tender
Map of woodland area here
Closing date for tenders is 9th September 2011
Support for this work is provided by the Community Development Support Scheme funded by the Highland Council through the Ward Discretionary Budget and the Highland LEADER programme 2007-13.
Clarification
This phasing diagram to give you an idea of what we plan to do - we are hoping that this will help you to tailor your proposal within the budget available to give us enough information to allow us to get the ball rolling. Our first objectives are to seek funding to carry out phases 1 and 2 below, and to obtain outline planning permission for all phases.
The main objective of this consultation is to get some advice on a plan of work and outline budget costs for civils work and ground preparation, including stump clearance and drainage, for the campsite, access road, and recreation areas (areas shaded in phase 2 below). This will allow us to move forward in obtaining funding for this key first piece of the development work. Any advice relevant to the other phases shown below will be gratefully appreciated, but our main priority is as above.
Latest News
The site is now active and under development.
