REPRESENTATIVES of Buccleuch and the Wanlockhead Community Trust have met to discuss community aspirations for the village.
The Wanlockhead Community Trust is exploring options for a community buy-out in the area, including purchasing land which forms part of Buccleuch’s Queensberry Estate.
Businesses and individuals have also held discussions with the estate with a view to improving economic development and enhancing tourism and leisure amenities in and around the village.
Lincoln Richford, chair of the Wanlockhead Community Trust, said: “This was a very productive and positive first meeting and we broke a lot of ground. We look forward to working further with Buccleuch Estates.
“I believe that we can find a mutually satisfying solution for both parties that will ensure a bright future for our village.”
John Glen, CEO of Buccleuch, said: “We were pleased to have had this initial meeting with the Trust as the estate is committed to playing its part in local economic development.
“We have held discussions with various interest groups over the years and there is a range of options that we should all consider that could help improve the sustainability of the area.
“As there are many complex issues to discuss, it is too early to form any conclusions or reach decisions. However, we look forward to continuing a constructive dialogue with the Trust’s representatives and villagers.”
Buccleuch and the Trust have committed to meet regularly during the next few months as they explore different options for the community.
This autumn, the Wanlockhead Community Trust will progress steps towards their buyout proposal by registering a formal interest in the land with the Scottish Government and developing a Feasibility Study and Business Plan.
The Trust is in the final stages of spearheading a community consultation process and has gathered numerous ideas from locals of what Wanlockhead could be like if the village owned some of the surrounding landscape.
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Picture: Wanlockhead village (credit: Lincoln Richford)
Media contact: Lincoln Richford, 01659 74435, lincoln.richford@gmail.com; Anjo Abelaira 01659 74374, anjo@lowtherhills.com; Mac Blewer, 01659 74225, macblewer@gmail.com; Neil Davidson, ndavidson@buccleuch.com 0131 524 0910; Media House, 0141 220 6040.
Notes to editors:
About Wanlockhead Community Trust
The Wanlockhead Community Trust represents a community-led approach to local development, paving the way towards community ownership of Wanlockhead on behalf of the community, in order to regenerate and make the area sustainable in economic, social and environmental terms for future generations.
The Trust is owned by Wanlockhead residents and governed by a board of trustees.
The Trust is seeking to purchase land in and around the community.
Tourism development, community services, renewable energy, farming and environmental restoration have all identified by villagers as important to their vision of a future, sustainable Wanlockhead.
For more information, please visit http://www.wanlockheadcommunitytrust.org/
About Buccleuch
Buccleuch comprises the business interests of the Buccleuch family.
These include commercial property investment and development, hospitality and tourism, energy, rural land management, rural building design, conversion and project management, sporting and wholesale tree nursery.
Buccleuch business activity also includes the management, maintenance and improvement of the significant heritage Scottish estates (Bowhill, Queensberry, Dalkeith and Langholm) and Boughton Estate, Northamptonshire.
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