Machrihanish Airbase Community Company, Experiences Of Managing & Developing Such A Large Asset.

1. Machrihanish Airbase Community Company, Experiences Of Managing & Developing Such A Large Asset.

2. Public Ballot Results: A clear mandate from the community to progress with the right to buy

3. Machrihanish Airbase Community Company

4. Our Vision • To advance community development and create sustainable development within the Kintyre economy • To manage community land and associated assets for the benefit of the community • To meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations - leave a legacy for the younger generation.

5. Fundamentals of the purchase arrangements • Financial support to; • Upgrade water system to provide public supply to137 Sound of Kintyre houses, Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course and key buildings on the base. The Dairy Farmers have decided to have bore holes for the animals. • Upgrade electrical infrastructure on the base to make it fit for purpose • Upgrade waste treatment plant to make it fit for purpose • Effect repairs to roads and key buildings and improve general condition of the base • Help with Year 1 running costs

6. Managing the Asset: • Took over the 1025 acre site, the staff team (TUPE) and existing leases • Sorted out the water and electrical infrastructure • Determined existing lease income to re-invest in future management, maintenance and development of the site • Developed opportunities in the short term which includes a mix of: • Industrial • Commercial • Energy • Social/Community • Considered developments in the longer term to include Renewables and increased Aviation use to create direct employment opportunities for the community (which will add to the local economy) • Supported existing employers in the area such as the wind turbine factory • Future operational surpluses are to be directly re-invested into the community (rather than lost to outside the area)

7. Business Plan: Operational examples: • To create Machrihanish Airbase as a Centre of Excellence for the Renewable Energy sector: • To support Wind Towers Limited (SSE and HIE) and help facilitate businesses tapping into the supply chain of this industry. • Excellent opportunity for expansion in Renewables for businesses in this area and nationally. Examples include; • Introduction of a small Hydro Power scheme utilising the water outflow to the site • Creation of a Biomass Plant of which we have already had discussion with two operators. • Hydrogen/latent heat from Biomass for polytunnels & local business/housing district heating • Creation of a fishfarm • Investigated Solar Panel Electricity Generation

8. Business Plan: Operational examples: • Workshop utilisation • To provide workshop facilities for business start-up and expansion of existing businesses in the area. • Investigating Create a Training Workshop on site with “workstations” and partner with a college to develop the local skillbase – renewables, welding, hospitality. • Facilitate small businesses to start up through favourable leasing arrangements. • We have some buildings that require repair - lease arrangements would be put in place which would see a tenant taking over a building with a rent free period in return for specific repairs and maintenance being carried out.

9. Business Plan: Operational examples: • Agricultural, Horticultural & Hospitality • There is a large farming industry in the area - support training and leasing arrangements for land • Support the “growing food sector” for locals to take control of plots of land for training and business purposes. Develop a market garden and allotments for the community. • To encourage the hospitality, education & food sectors by providing the existing buildings with on-site facilities to training, laundry and other services prepare/store and re-distribution. • To allow food training courses to be set up on site utilising the kitchens in the accommodation blocks and full commercial kitchen available in the Mess Building.

10. Business Plan:Community Ideas thus far: • Hospice Project • Garden facilities for people with special needs • Ten Pin bowling alley • Allotments • Tennis Court • Environmental projects involving community participation (e. g. wild life) • Apprenticeship Training • Driving Training • Running Track • Light Aircraft landing facilities • Tearoom/Bar. • Storage of caravans • Outdoor and indoor concerts • Model flying club • Motocross • Storage of boats • Use of buildings for agricultural feeds and machinery storage • Land for grazing sheep/cattle • Post and parcel service distribution • Community garage – refurbishing old cars etc. • Community meeting hall • Community shop • Meeting space for British Legion • Space for local judo club • Space for Police baton training • Re-use of sports facilities for community • Training facilities for welders/other trades • Use of facilities by cadet forces • Use of mess for weddings/functions • Space for Council offices/storage

11. Infrastructure benefits: • MACC wants to ensure the long term viability of the scheduled flights to Glasgow from Machrihanish are maintained and to expand the use of the airfield • The airfield linked to the 1025 acres of land and the deep water harbour in Campbeltown make it a well positioned site to link air and sea infrastructure together with a variety of industries. • We have on-site accommodation which is the equivalent of a Travel lodge style and includes a Sergeants’ Mess (caters for 400 sittings at a time).

12. Financials: • After much discussion with the MOD, Scottish Government etc. to understand the issues, running costs etc., the financial forecast (2012 - 14) looks as follows:

13. Fundamentals of the purchase arrangements • Work closely with funders (HIE, LEADER, Big Lottery) to access funding sources to continue momentum and make the community business a business model for the future. • Financial support from our partners in order we can progress this opportunity and leave a legacy of self sustained employment in the area through purchase and development of the airbase.

14. Summary: • Some way down a long road significant progress has been achieved but we are still in the process of marketing the Base to create new opportunities and increase business development of Kintyre. • √

15. How to contact us: Ian Wardrop – Chairman MACC Jim Martin – Chairman MACCDL Tel No: 01586 551555 E-mail: manager@ maccdl.co.uk