Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Urras Coimhearsnachd Shlèite Sleat Community Trust CADISPA ~ University of Strathclyde Geoff Fagan. Ruth McKain. Ian Miller Community Planning Appraisal

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust To help local people make their community more sustainable To provide you with the opportunity to identify issues of concern To allow you to explore solutions to these problems To identify the economic potential of the area To begin identifying key people, organisations and skills in the area To draw the above together and develop an action plan, based on the principle of sustainable development To progress the development of the area according to the desires and needs of the local people What are the aims of the survey?

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Sustainable Development? For community initiatives to succeed and be sustainable, the effort must come from within the community and be supported by the community.

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Map Statistical information History, archaeology and landuse Geology and wildlife Sleat – the Background

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The Sleat Appraisal

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust 1.Role of the community 2.Role of government and external agencies 3.Economic considerations 4.Social issues 5.The natural environment 6.Culture and heritage 7.Transport and infrastructure 8.Tourism 9.The future The Sleat Appraisal

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Who are you? Age range Time resident in Sleat

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Who are you? Employed 37.8 % Retired 28.7 % Self-employed 17.7 % Student 7.6 % Unemployed 4.3 % (cf 6.4% for Scotland) Salary range

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The development of Sleat must be led by people living in Sleat – 91% People in Sleat must be involved – 99.6% A strong and united community is needed – 92.7% 1. The role of the community

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The development of Sleat must be undertaken only by people living in Sleat 1. The role of the community Key Issues: inclusive decision-making, partnerships, leadership quality

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Successful development must be based on a ‘partnership’ between agencies and the local community – 91.5% 2. Government and agencies 84.8% did not wish to exclude external organisations.

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Local people can play an active part in community development only if government and external agencies provide support and advice 2. Government and agencies Key Issues: partnerships (91.5%) and empowerment of local communities (78.3%) are key to working with external agencies.

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Agencies that might contribute positively: Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise Highland Council Highlands and Islands Enterprise Scottish Natural Heritage Royal Society for the Protection of Birds National Lotteries Charities Board And those that might hold back development: Scottish Natural Heritage Local Authority Planning Department Highland Council Royal Society for the Protection of Birds 2. Government and agencies

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust 3. Economic considerations Economic considerations must be central to plans for developing Sleat – 79.9% But not to the exclusion of all else – 87.8%

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust 3. Economic considerations Crofting and agriculture in Sleat are no longer important to the economy of Sleat Interestingly only 7% is employed in this sector.

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The use of new technology is vital for Sleat’s future development – 82.9% 3. Economic considerations Widening the range of skills and businesses present in the area will strengthen the local economy – 92%

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust 3. Economic considerations   The high quality of life roads public transport ITC infrastructure Broadband affordable housing What is benefiting / holding back development:

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Improving the standard of community facilities (such as community buildings) is essential if Sleat is to develop successfully – 82.9% 4. Social issues Opportunities to come together are a key factor in successful development %.

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has an important role to play in community development in Sleat. 4. Social issues

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust How active do you feel you are in attending or taking part in community events and groups? – 67.7% 4. Social issues 84.8 % feel they are part of the local community % are involved in organising social and community events

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust  Sabhal Mor Ostaig 55 SEALL Arts 32 Community Halls 23 Club Film15 Local shop/produce12 Sports facilities11 Armadale Castle 11 Church10 Post Office9 Heath Centre6 Mobile library5 4. Services important to you

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust ? Swimming Pool42 General leisure facilities16 Community Hall upgrade31 Facilities for young people and teenagers21 Medical / health centre19 Public transport17 Year round local shop16 Community events e.g. ceilidhs, craft fairs15 SMO catering for non-Gaelic community members12 Year round café11 Childcare11 Evening classes9 Banking6 Internet and Broadband6 4. Services lacking

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The conservation of Sleat’s environment is vital to the future development of the area – 93.9% 5. The Natural environment Also 94.5 % of respondents agree that the high environmental quality of Sleat is an economic asset

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust But 28% feel economic considerations should come first in development. 5. The Natural environment

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Ways in which you feel that the quality of the natural environment is of benefit :- Tourism – attracting tourists to Sleat Quality of the scenery High quality of life 5. The Natural environment

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The concerns include :- Waste management, pollution, fly tipping, litter, sewage30 Physical management of landscape by farmers / crofters etc20 Windfarm development14 Neglected and poorly maintained buildings11 Road building – needs to be well landscaped11 5. The Natural environment

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust How important do you feel the following elements of culture and heritage are in the future development of Sleat? 1=not important, 5 = very important The landscape4.08 Youth Culture4.04 Gaelic language, culture, music4.02 Access to a variety of cultural activities4.00 Local history3.93 Crofting and agriculture3.73 Sport3.72 The church Culture and heritage

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust When development conflicts with the culture and heritage of the local area, it should not be allowed to proceed 6. Culture and heritage 92.4 % agree that the culture and heritage of Sleat is an economic asset to the area.

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Gaelic language and culture are not important aspects of the culture and heritage of Sleat 6. Culture and heritage 85.9 % believe that Gaelic culture is an economic asset to the area.

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The cultural development of Sleat should be as varied and diverse as possible – 85.9% 6. Culture and heritage

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust An efficient and integrated public transport and ferry service is vital to the Sleat’s future development – 96.6% 7. Transport and infrastructure 72.8 % believe that better provision for private transport is vital to Sleat’s development

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The current provision of electricity, water and sewage services is adequate for the community in Sleat – 58.9% 7. Transport and infrastructure

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The development of Sleat is dependent on an upgraded telecommunications service – 74.7% 7. Transport and infrastructure

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust There are adequate opportunities for people in Sleat to recycle waste and dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner – 89.7% concerned 7. Transport and infrastructure

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The development of Sleat is dependent on the provision of improved Health Services – 71.4% 7. Transport and infrastructure There is enough affordable housing available to those who need it in Sleat at present – 87.5% disagree

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Planning regulations have a positive impact on the development of Sleat – opinion is split 7. Transport and infrastructure The right of local communities to purchase land is vital to the successful long- term development of Sleat – 72.4%

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust 7. Transport and infrastructure  Daily / evening bus service Roads and footpaths in a state of disrepair Bus / ferry / train services are not co-ordinated Winter ferry services, and ferry services in general Community transport, for elderly and young people Affordable housing Local health / medical centre Broadband (especially for businesses) Recycling facilities Appropriate sewage treatment Planning legislation too restrictive on development

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Tourism is critical to the long-term sustainability of Sleat – 89% 8. Tourism 47% are involved in the tourist industry

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust The development of community facilities will encourage visitors to the area – 84.8% 8. Tourism 91.1% of respondents disagree that development of facilities for tourism should take priority over facilities for the community.

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Sleat already receives enough visitors: it doesn’t need to attract any more – 19.5% 8. Tourism Second-homes and holiday-homes are an asset to Sleat’s economy – 35.1%

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Wet weather facilities for tourists and residents An official campsite / caravanning site Footpaths and cycle paths Proper Information Office Better hospitality and welcome More eating places, especially in the winter More high quality accommodation Control over number of holiday homes Danger of over-reliance on the tourist industry Local needs must come before those of visitors 8. Tourism Needs

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust I like living in Sleat because... Scenery and wildlife, the sea, the hills Peace and quiet, rural, no tall buildings, no cars People who live there - my friends, my family Things to do - fishing, school, football pitch Places to go - Knock castle, the pier Gaelic history, Clan Donald, speaking Gaelic, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig The Sheep Youth and children

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust I would like :- Swimming pool, sports centre, cycle path, skate park, village hall, arcade, pizza hut, pet shop, sweet shop Youth group Better roads, better ferry Jobs Housing Please change : Wildlife and plants e.g. trees, midges, weeds The weather Youth and children

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust To make Sleat a better place, I would be willing to: Raise money, sell cookies, sell ferrets, car boot sale, sponsored walk / cycle, gala days, sales of work Environmental projects, clean up, pick up litter, get rid of weeds, recycle, tree planting Write to the government, start a team, ask a teacher Help build them e.g. play park Support events / activities for young people Involve people, and work with community and joint committees for community buy-outs Move away Youth and children

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust 9. The Future Respondents overwhelmingly endorsed sustainable development, which takes account of social, environmental and economic issues, as an appropriate way to succeed – 98.4%

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Important Economic issues Job opportunities 54 Tourism 15 New businesses 10 Public transport 9 Broadband / improved ITC 6 9. The Future

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Important Environmental Issues Conservation of wildlife and habitats 53 Recycling facilities 20 Windfarms 16 Litter / rubbish, including beaches The Future

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Important Social issues Affordable housing 62 More community activities 36 Health / Medical Centre 23 Facilities for young people 10 Facilities for elderly 9 Gaelic language and culture 7 9. The Future

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Skills and expertise needed Qualified trades people including plumbers, builders Entrepreneurial and business skills How? Train people in new skills Train people to do what they do better Attract more families to the area 9. The Future

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Improved transport, roads and services Improved housing, facilities and opportunities Young people welcomed and able to stay and live Economic sustainability – diversity, employment, enterprise Natural environment protected Community that retains its rural, Gaelic identity An integrated community, with diverse cultural interests, working together 9. A Positive Vision for Sleat

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust  Sleat Community Trust CADISPA ~ University of Strathclyde Community Planning Appraisal