The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Pitch plans refused again
Islands: ScottishGovernmentupholdscouncildecisiononall-weatherfacility
Community plans for one of the most remote football pitches in the country have been refused.
The team on Barra is the only one in Scotland where all their away games involve a ferry journey.
In October 2017, a 10-year-old footballer was reported to be travelling hundreds of miles to train at adequate facilities with a mainland academy.
Matthew Davidson needed to make a 250-mile round trip to Glasgow to attend training sessions
“The delivery of the project presents the best opportunity”
twice a week, bolstering local support for an allweather pitch.
Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh and Bhatarsaidh Ltd (CBAB Ltd) submitted an asset transfer request for a plot of land opposite Castlebay Community School for the pitch.
For years they have battled with Western Isles Council to get approval and, last year, they went to the Scottish Government on appeal.
However, in the past few days, ministers upheld the council’s refusal.
According to the council, the proposed £44 million health and education campus at the island’s existing Castlebay School could provide an allweather pitch and fulfil the same service.
The proposals, which also include a new school, hospital, sports centre and police base, were backed by councillors last year.
Last night, a council spokesman said: “As the report recognises, it is very much the Comhairle’s wish to provide the communities of Barra and Vatersay with as high a level of sport and leisure facilities as we can and that intention is recognised locally, I think.
“The development of the proposed Barra and Vatersay Community Campus project continues to make significant progress.
“The delivery of the project, preferably through partnership working with key stakeholders and the wider community, presents the best opportunity for progress”.
CBAB was contacted for comment.