Community plans for one of the most remote football pitches in the country have been refused.
The local 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.
Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh and Bhatarsaidh Ltd (CBAB Ltd) submitted an asset transfer request for a plot of land opposite Castlebay Community School, for the purpose of building the much needed facility.
For years they have battled with Western Isles Council to get approval and, last year, they appealed the refusal went to the Scottish Government on appeal.
In the past few days, ministers upheld the council’s refusal.
According to Western Isles Council, the proposed £44 million health and education campus at the island’s existing Castlebay School could provide an all weather pitch and fulfil the same service.
Last night, a spokesman from the local authority 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 possibly deliver, and that intention is recognised locally, I think, by all involved.
“The development of the proposed Barra and Vatersay Community Campus project, which includes the provision of replacement and upgraded sport and leisure facilities, 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”.
An overview of all the different projects CBAB has supported and developed in the community to date.#barra #Vatersay #castebay #CommunityDevelopment #membership #community #OuterHebrides pic.twitter.com/zz3EDqtjGR
— CBAB Limited (@CBABLtd) May 3, 2019
CBAB was contacted for comment.
