We’ve been asked about the challenges of the last few years in making progress with the Village Hall. Our chairperson Louise Stanesby writes…
Between 2013 -2020
- Old village hall needed substantial renovation or rebuild.
- Village voted through a community consultation for a new build on old hall grounds.
- Estimated cost at that time between £300,000 for a very basic prefabricated kit – £650,000 for traditional permanent structure.
- Over the years the Committee made several unsuccessful bids for grant money.
Between 2019-2020
- Old village hall condemned and subsequently demolished.
- Achnaha, Old Free Church came up for sale.
2020
- Options survey and feasibility study commissioned through Community Links Scotland.
- Village voted in favour of change of direction and purchasing Old Free Church.
- Government Scottish Land Fund (SLF)awarded 95% grant for purchase of Old Free church due to its significant historic importance and in support of community ownership.
- We were given the impression that further funding, for it’s renovation and refurbishment, would be easily attainable.
2022 – present
- Many people who voted are no longer here in Clachan.
- There is a significant number of new residents in Clachan since the time of the last vote, and we acknowledge the outcome may have been different.
- The pandemic and national economic situation has contributed to significant delays, prioritisation changes and reduction of capital funding.
- Uncertainty that SLF will allow us to sell after 5 years (2026) without asking for a refund of sale proceeds
- The Old Free Church was bought for £170,000 at valuation as a domestic dwelling.
- The purpose for the building has changed.
- It is now a shell so likely to be worth significantly less.
- Requires new valuation incurring costs!
- The windfarms can also request back over £70,000 grants awarded to date for any sale proceeds, plus any legal and state agent fees.
- The community would lose control of the building.
- There would still be no village hall!
