Background
In 2013 a report by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) identified the rationale behind closing the primary schools in Lochmaddy, Carinish and Paible, in order to provide a single larger primary school on the existing Paible site. The report noted reducing school roles across the three sites, with all three schools working significantly under capacity. As a result, in June 2016, Lochmaddy Primary School was closed along with Carinish and Paible, with all pupils moved to a new single school site at Sgoil Uibhist a’ Tuath.
The Lochmaddy Primary School building as it stands was constructed in the 1970s, but the original building dates to the late 19th Century and comprises a one and a half storey detached building situated on a 0.36-acre site at the edge of Lochmaddy village. The School site includes a playground area, rear elevated hard court and land to the sides with a small greenhouse.
Since closure, the building has remained in ownership of CnES who are using the building for storage. The former Primary School is ideally located within half a mile of the Lochmaddy ferry terminal – the main port of entry for the Uists. The twice daily ferry (most days) to Uig, Isle of Skye, operated by Calmac, carried in excess of 195,000 passengers in 2017. A redevelopment of the terminal area is planned to be complete in time for the arrival of a new larger capacity ferry in 2020.
In 2017, NUDC submitted an expression of interest seeking to purchase the School building as part of a Community Asset Transfer under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. This was the only expression of interest relating to this facility and in September 2018, NUDC submitted a full Asset Transfer Request to the Comhairle. A decision notice has been issued and the conditions met. NUDC has been the lead of numerous community consultations regarding the Lochmaddy Primary School and the Lochmaddy Hospital as part of the An Torc project for the past few years. NUDC are now focussing on the Lochmaddy Primary School and its potential for development associated with the identified local needs, and has undertaken numerous consultation in 2018 and 2019 regarding the re-development of the School.
In 2013 a report by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) identified the rationale behind closing the primary schools in Lochmaddy, Carinish and Paible, in order to provide a single larger primary school on the existing Paible site. The report noted reducing school roles across the three sites, with all three schools working significantly under capacity. As a result, in June 2016, Lochmaddy Primary School was closed along with Carinish and Paible, with all pupils moved to a new single school site at Sgoil Uibhist a’ Tuath.
The Lochmaddy Primary School building as it stands was constructed in the 1970s, but the original building dates to the late 19th Century and comprises a one and a half storey detached building situated on a 0.36-acre site at the edge of Lochmaddy village. The School site includes a playground area, rear elevated hard court and land to the sides with a small greenhouse.
Since closure, the building has remained in ownership of CnES who are using the building for storage. The former Primary School is ideally located within half a mile of the Lochmaddy ferry terminal – the main port of entry for the Uists. The twice daily ferry (most days) to Uig, Isle of Skye, operated by Calmac, carried in excess of 195,000 passengers in 2017. A redevelopment of the terminal area is planned to be complete in time for the arrival of a new larger capacity ferry in 2020.
In 2017, NUDC submitted an expression of interest seeking to purchase the School building as part of a Community Asset Transfer under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. This was the only expression of interest relating to this facility and in September 2018, NUDC submitted a full Asset Transfer Request to the Comhairle. A decision notice has been issued and the conditions met. NUDC has been the lead of numerous community consultations regarding the Lochmaddy Primary School and the Lochmaddy Hospital as part of the An Torc project for the past few years. NUDC are now focussing on the Lochmaddy Primary School and its potential for development associated with the identified local needs, and has undertaken numerous consultation in 2018 and 2019 regarding the re-development of the School.
The Project
Gathering together the views of the local community through numerous consultations, the proposed development in Lochmaddy will provide a community hub filling the needs of the local community to improve health and wellbeing, provide improved facilities and services, support business growth for economic development, and provide long-term work opportunities to help sustain the population. There are also the wider needs of helping to maintain young people on the island, reducing the population decline; as well as the need of conserving the local environment for the benefit of all present and future generations. The proposed community business will meet these needs by:
It is important to maintain a flexible development to change with the needs of the community. The Claddach Kirkibost Centre is an example of this, which currently has no space left available due to its success, and has had to adapt the internal fittings in the building for new exciting uses. This is why the final designs incorporate a flexible multi-purpose space to adapt to needs within the Incubator hub. This currently includes: space for a learning environment for educational activities, space for co-working for those working remotely online as an ‘incubator hub’, offices for NUDC and others including provision for researchers working remotely, rentable space for creative or therapeutic services and, all areas will be usable for the local community as well as visitors.
Gathering together the views of the local community through numerous consultations, the proposed development in Lochmaddy will provide a community hub filling the needs of the local community to improve health and wellbeing, provide improved facilities and services, support business growth for economic development, and provide long-term work opportunities to help sustain the population. There are also the wider needs of helping to maintain young people on the island, reducing the population decline; as well as the need of conserving the local environment for the benefit of all present and future generations. The proposed community business will meet these needs by:
- Providing local employment opportunities by creating a self-sustaining community business
- Increasing the local economy by providing a visitor attraction, helping to sustain increased visitors by providing low cost accommodation, providing tourist information to engage and direct onwards to other businesses and facilities, and helping to drive local innovation through training and a co-working space within the incubator hub.
- Providing a community hub as a local focal point and meeting place with community-based facilities and services, with the community fully embedded throughout the development.
- Providing a space to enable therapeutic services as well as the opportunity for space for day activities for those needing day care facilities
- Providing an Environment Centre which will act as an engagement point to aid conservation of the local environment and an education point for the local community and those visiting the islands; whilst enabling active engagement on climate change.
- Provide cross generational and younger based activities in all aspects of the development.
It is important to maintain a flexible development to change with the needs of the community. The Claddach Kirkibost Centre is an example of this, which currently has no space left available due to its success, and has had to adapt the internal fittings in the building for new exciting uses. This is why the final designs incorporate a flexible multi-purpose space to adapt to needs within the Incubator hub. This currently includes: space for a learning environment for educational activities, space for co-working for those working remotely online as an ‘incubator hub’, offices for NUDC and others including provision for researchers working remotely, rentable space for creative or therapeutic services and, all areas will be usable for the local community as well as visitors.
Current Progress
A National Lottery Awards for All grant was awarded in 2018 to enable a Feasibility Study; which was completed in 2018. An SLF Stage 1 grant was awarded at the end of 2018 with works carried out in 2019 including a structural survey, architectural plans, title deeds report, QS costings, and an asbestos survey. The community selected their preferred architectural designs and feedback from the community has been integrated into the designs. These architectural designs can be seen in the gallery above and these represent the longer term aim for full development incorporating a living environment for visitors, students and temporary workers.
A National Lottery Awards for All grant was awarded in 2018 to enable a Feasibility Study; which was completed in 2018. An SLF Stage 1 grant was awarded at the end of 2018 with works carried out in 2019 including a structural survey, architectural plans, title deeds report, QS costings, and an asbestos survey. The community selected their preferred architectural designs and feedback from the community has been integrated into the designs. These architectural designs can be seen in the gallery above and these represent the longer term aim for full development incorporating a living environment for visitors, students and temporary workers.
Next Steps
An SLF Stage 2 application is being submitted in June 2020 for the purchase and for additional member of staff to develop the first phase of the project. The first phase aims to re-open the building as a usable community space whilst funding is acquired to re-develop the building for the second phase and final phase of the development. It is envisaged the building will be purchased by autumn 2020 and re=opened early 2021. If you are interested in using the building, please contact NUDC here.
An SLF Stage 2 application is being submitted in June 2020 for the purchase and for additional member of staff to develop the first phase of the project. The first phase aims to re-open the building as a usable community space whilst funding is acquired to re-develop the building for the second phase and final phase of the development. It is envisaged the building will be purchased by autumn 2020 and re=opened early 2021. If you are interested in using the building, please contact NUDC here.
North Uist Development Company, Claddach Kirkibost Centre, Isle of North Uist, HS6 5EP.; nudc@isleofnorthuist.com;Tel: 01876 580337
Company No. SC383175; Charity No. SC041709
Company No. SC383175; Charity No. SC041709
