Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has written to Highland Council making suggestions regarding developer contributions and other financial matters in the hope that with the new Hospital build and redevelopment of the existing Belford site a win, win, win situation can be achieved with the realisation too of the new covered sports complex Lochaber Sports Association having been planning.

He said, "Highland Council have bought the site of the now defunct Tesco store for £2m at a loss to Tesco of £6m against their original purchase consideration. This site will now be used for the new Lochaber Hospital to replace the ageing Belford Hospital and this will release the current Belford site for Highland Council to develop.

He went on, "As already pointed out by Lochaber's Councillors it would be a great shame if this site is only used for housing, when a combined commercial and housing development so near to the main centre of Fort William could generate much needed commercial funding and or developer contribution.

He ended with, "And it is this development contribution and or commercial sponsorship, whether from Highland Council itself, NHS Highland and/or commercial organisations, that I am keen to flag up as the shortfall in the LSA grant might therefore be met from this or these sources. Then Fort William could look forward to a new hospital, a new covered sports complex and an excellent commercial/housing development at the Belford site. Surely a win, win, win situation that should be strived for by all those who wish Lochaber well?

Note:

The Communication to the Chief Executive of Highland Council:

Dear Steve

I write regarding the reduction in the grant Highland Council are prepared to give to the Lochaber Sport Association (LSA) to allow them to build the much needed covered sport building adjacent to Lochaber High School.

The reason given for the reduction in grant to £200k was that the Council had lost £400k of developer contribution from Tesco when they decided not to develop their store in Fort William.

The good news is the project still retains the confidence of other funders, notably Sport Scotland, who are still offering all that they offered originally for the project to proceed.

In another development, as you are very much aware, Highland Council have bought the site of the now defunct store from Tesco for £2m at a loss to Tesco of £6m against their original purchase consideration.

This site will now be used for the new Lochaber Hospital to replace the ageing Belford Hospital and this will release the current Belford site for Highland Council to develop.

As already pointed out by Lochaber's Councillors it would be a great shame if this site is only used for housing, when a combined commercial and housing development so near to the main centre of Fort William could generate much needed commercial funding and or developer contribution.

And it is this development contribution and or commercial sponsorship, whether from Highland Council itself, NHS Highland and/or commercial organisations, that I am keen to flag up as the shortfall in the LSA grant might therefore be met from this or these sources.

If this can be made to work with the best endeavours of Highland Council then Fort William could look forward to a new hospital, a new covered sports complex and an excellent commercial/housing development at the Belford site. Surely a win, win, win  situation that should be strived for by all those who wish Lochaber well?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Dave Thompson SNP MSP

For Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch