MP blasts council over Barra all-weather pitch decision
THE COMMUNITY of Barra has been left bewildered and angered by Western Isles Council’s decision not to develop an all-weather pitch.
Island team Barra Football Club is the only club in Scotland that needs to take a ferry journey for every away match.
The weather on the island is often wet and windy, with an average of 100mm of rain during November, so an all-weather pitch would have been extremely beneficial.
As a previous player for the team, MP Angus Brendan MacNeil was both confused and concerned by the refusal.
After hearing the decision, Mr MacNeil said: ‘It is really hard to understand and difficult to explain why the comhairle is preventing a community from building a much-needed sports facility.
‘I understand one of the reasons for refusal is that the land in question may need to be used for the purpose of sitting a portable building during the construction of Castlebay Community School. However, I am told that land is being made available by a crofter for this purpose, should it be required.’
Mr MacNeil wants the council to reverse the decision.
He said: ‘I have written to comhairle leader Roddie Mackay and all councillors. The comhairle must approve the Community Asset Transfer of this land to allow the community to benefit from an all-weather pitch. This has full support on Barra and it is bizarre that the comhairle of all bodies should ride roughshod over the community.
‘Campaigners have lived with 18 years of promises from the comhairle. People are not even looking to the comhairle to fund it, but to get out of the way and let it happen.’
A comhairle spokesperson said: ‘The redevelopment of Castlebay School is in the very early stages of options appraisal and the final solution will depend on the level of funding available from the various supporting agencies.
‘The preferred option would be to include an all-weather pitch in the scope. The reason for retaining the land at the current time is to allow all development options to be considered.’
Mr MacNeil responded: ‘The community has until January 30 for its Community Asset Transfer appeal and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar should remember they were only custodians of the King George V playing fields in Castlebay and shouldn’t act like unreasonable Victorian landlords. Councillors, of course, have to ensure this.’
Another comhairle spokesperson replied: ‘An all-weather pitch has not been blocked.
‘The comhairle is supportive of the community’s aspirations to enhance the sporting facilities in Castlebay.
‘The comhairle will keep the community of Barra updated with progress on this project.’