Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Urras Coimhearsnachd Shlèite Sleat Community Trust CADISPA ~ University of Strathclyde Geoff Fagan. Ruth

Urras Coimhearsnachd Shlèite Sleat Community Trust

Urras Coimhearsnachd Shlèite

Sleat Community Trust

CADISPA ~ University of StrathclydeGeoff Fagan . Ruth McKain . Ian Miller

Community Planning Appraisal


To help local people make their community more sustainable

• To provide you with the opportunity to identify issues of concern

• To allow you to explore solutions to these problems• To identify the economic potential of the area • To begin identifying key people, organisations and

skills in the area• To draw the above together and develop an action plan,

based on the principle of sustainable development• To progress the development of the area according to

the desires and needs of the local people

What are the aims of the survey?


Sustainable Development?

For community initiatives to succeed and be sustainable, the effort must come from

within the community and be supported by the community.


• Map• Statistical

information• History,

archaeology and landuse

• Geology and wildlife

Sleat – the Background


The Sleat Appraisal


1. Role of the community2. Role of government and external agencies3. Economic considerations4. Social issues5. The natural environment6. Culture and heritage7. Transport and infrastructure8. Tourism9. The future

The Sleat Appraisal


Who are you?

Age range

Time resident in Sleat

0

5

10

15

20

25

16-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 66-75 76+


0

5

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30

<10K

10-15K

15-25K

25-35K

35K+

%

Who are you?

Employed 37.8 %Retired 28.7 %Self-employed 17.7 %Student 7.6 %Unemployed 4.3 % (cf 6.4% for

Scotland)

Salary range


The development of Sleat must be led by people living in Sleat – 91%

People in Sleat must be involved – 99.6%

A strong and united community is needed – 92.7%

1. The role of the community

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20

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60

StronglyAgree

Agree Disagree StronglyDisagree


The development of Sleat must be undertaken only by people living in Sleat

1. The role of the community

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10

20

30

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50

60

StronglyAgree


Key Issues: inclusive decision-making, partnerships, leadership quality


Successful development must be based on a ‘partnership’ between agencies and the local community – 91.5%

2. Government and agencies

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

StronglyAgree


84.8% did not wish to exclude external organisations.


Local people can play an active part in community development only if government and external agencies provide support and advice


05

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StronglyAgree


Key Issues: partnerships (91.5%) and empowerment of local communities (78.3%) are key to working with external agencies.


Agencies that might contribute positively:• Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise• Highland Council• Highlands and Islands Enterprise• Scottish Natural Heritage• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds• National Lotteries Charities Board

And those that might hold back development: • Scottish Natural Heritage• Local Authority Planning Department• Highland Council• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds



3. Economic considerations

Economic considerations must be central to plans for developing Sleat – 79.9%

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70

StronglyAgree


But not to the exclusion of all else – 87.8%



Crofting and agriculture in Sleat are no longer important to the economy of Sleat

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40

45

StronglyAgree


Interestingly only 7% is employed in this sector.


The use of new technology is vital for Sleat’s future development – 82.9%


Widening the range of skills and businesses present in the area will strengthen the local economy – 92%

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20

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40

50

60

StronglyAgree


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30

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60

StronglyAgree




The high quality of life

roads

public transport

ITC infrastructure

Broadband

affordable housing

What is benefiting / holding back development:


Improving the standard of community facilities (such as community buildings) is essential if Sleat is to develop successfully – 82.9%

4. Social issues

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StronglyAgree


Opportunities to come together are a key factor in successful development - 87.8%.


Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has an important role to play in community development in Sleat.

4. Social issues

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5

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35

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45

50

%

StronglyAgree



How active do you feel you are in attending or taking part in community events and groups? – 67.7%

4. Social issues

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40

50

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70

Highly Active Active Not at all

84.8 % feel they are part of the local community.

35.4 % are involved in organising social and community events

Urras Coimhearsnachd Shlèite Sleat Community TrustSabhal Mor Ostaig 55SEALL Arts 32Community Halls 23Club Film 15Local shop/produce 12Sports facilities 11Armadale Castle 11Church 10Post Office 9Heath Centre 6Mobile library 5

4. Services important to you


?Swimming Pool 42General leisure facilities 16Community Hall upgrade 31Facilities for young people and teenagers 21Medical / health centre 19Public transport 17Year round local shop 16Community events e.g. ceilidhs, craft fairs 15SMO catering for non-Gaelic community members 12Year round café 11Childcare 11Evening classes 9Banking 6Internet and Broadband 6

4. Services lacking


The conservation of Sleat’s environment is vital to the future development of the area – 93.9%

5. The Natural environment

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60

StronglyAgree


Also 94.5 % of respondents agree that the high environmental quality of Sleat is an economic asset


But 28% feel economic considerations should come first in development.


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35

40

45

StronglyAgree



Ways in which you feel that the quality of the natural environment is of benefit :-

• Tourism – attracting tourists to Sleat• Quality of the scenery• High quality of life



The concerns include :-

• Waste management, pollution, fly tipping, litter, sewage30

• Physical management of landscape by farmers / crofters etc 20

• Windfarm development14

• Neglected and poorly maintained buildings11

• Road building – needs to be well landscaped11



How important do you feel the following elements of culture and heritage are in the future development of Sleat? 1=not important, 5 = very important

The landscape 4.08Youth Culture 4.04Gaelic language, culture, music 4.02Access to a variety of cultural activities4.00Local history 3.93Crofting and agriculture 3.73Sport 3.72The church 2.90

6. Culture and heritage


When development conflicts with the culture and heritage of the local area, it should not be allowed to proceed


05

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StronglyAgree


92.4 % agree that the culture and heritage of Sleat is an economic asset to the area.


Gaelic language and culture are not important aspects of the culture and heritage of Sleat


05

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StronglyAgree


85.9 % believe that Gaelic culture is an economic asset to the area.


The cultural development of Sleat should be as varied and diverse as possible – 85.9%


05

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StronglyAgree



An efficient and integrated public transport and ferry service is vital to the Sleat’s future development – 96.6%

7. Transport and infrastructure

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80

StronglyAgree


72.8 % believe that better provision for private transport is vital to Sleat’s development


The current provision of electricity, water and sewage services is adequate for the community in Sleat – 58.9%


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60

StronglyAgree



The development of Sleat is dependent on an upgraded telecommunications service – 74.7%


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45

StronglyAgree



There are adequate opportunities for people in Sleat to recycle waste and dispose of it in an environmentally friendly manner – 89.7% concerned


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60

StronglyAgree



The development of Sleat is dependent on the provision of improved Health Services – 71.4%


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45

StronglyAgree


There is enough affordable housing available to those who need it in Sleat at present – 87.5% disagree 0

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60

StronglyAgree



Planning regulations have a positive impact on the development of Sleat – opinion is split


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40

StronglyAgree


The right of local communities to purchase land is vital to the successful long-term development of Sleat – 72.4%

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StronglyAgree




Daily / evening bus serviceRoads and footpaths in a state of disrepair Bus / ferry / train services are not co-ordinated Winter ferry services, and ferry services in general Community transport, for elderly and young people Affordable housing Local health / medical centre Broadband (especially for businesses) Recycling facilities Appropriate sewage treatment Planning legislation too restrictive on development


Tourism is critical to the long-term sustainability of Sleat – 89%

8. Tourism

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StronglyAgree


47% are involved in the tourist industry0

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60

Highly Involved SlightlyInvolved

Not at all


The development of community facilities will encourage visitors to the area – 84.8%

8. Tourism

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60

StronglyAgree


91.1% of respondents disagree that development of facilities for tourism should take priority over facilities for the community.


Sleat already receives enough visitors: it doesn’t need to attract any more – 19.5%

8. Tourism

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StronglyAgree


Second-homes and holiday-homes are an asset to Sleat’s economy – 35.1%

0

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35

StronglyAgree



• Wet weather facilities for tourists and residents

• An official campsite / caravanning site• Footpaths and cycle paths• Proper Information Office• Better hospitality and welcome• More eating places, especially in the winter• More high quality accommodation• Control over number of holiday homes• Danger of over-reliance on the tourist industry• Local needs must come before those of visitors

8. Tourism Needs


I like living in Sleat because . . . • Scenery and wildlife, the sea, the hills• Peace and quiet, rural, no tall buildings, no

cars• People who live there - my friends, my

family• Things to do - fishing, school, football pitch• Places to go - Knock castle, the pier• Gaelic history, Clan Donald, speaking

Gaelic, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig• The Sheep

Youth and children


I would like :-• Swimming pool, sports centre, cycle path,

skate park, village hall, arcade, pizza hut, pet shop, sweet shop

• Youth group• Better roads, better ferry• Jobs• HousingPlease change : • Wildlife and plants e.g. trees, midges, weeds• The weather

Youth and children


To make Sleat a better place, I would be willing to:

• Raise money, sell cookies, sell ferrets, car boot sale, sponsored walk / cycle, gala days, sales of work

• Environmental projects, clean up, pick up litter, get rid of weeds, recycle, tree planting

• Write to the government, start a team, ask a teacher

• Help build them e.g. play park

• Support events / activities for young people

• Involve people, and work with community and joint committees for community buy-outs

• Move away

Youth and children


9. The Future

Respondents overwhelmingly endorsed sustainable development, which takes account of social, environmental and economic issues, as an appropriate way to succeed – 98.4%

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70

StronglyAgree



Important Economic issues

Job opportunities 54Tourism 15New businesses 10Public transport 9Broadband / improved ITC 6

9. The Future


Important Environmental Issues

Conservation of wildlife and habitats 53Recycling facilities 20Windfarms 16Litter / rubbish, including beaches 13

9. The Future


Important Social issues

Affordable housing 62More community activities 36Health / Medical Centre 23Facilities for young people 10Facilities for elderly 9Gaelic language and culture 7

9. The Future


Skills and expertise needed • Qualified trades people including plumbers,

builders

• Entrepreneurial and business skills

How?

• Train people in new skills

• Train people to do what they do better

• Attract more families to the area

9. The Future


• Improved transport, roads and services

• Improved housing, facilities and opportunities

• Young people welcomed and able to stay and live

• Economic sustainability – diversity, employment, enterprise

• Natural environment protected

• Community that retains its rural, Gaelic identity

• An integrated community, with diverse cultural interests, working together

9. A Positive Vision for Sleat

Urras Coimhearsnachd Shlèite Sleat Community TrustSleat Community Trust

CADISPA ~ University of Strathclyde

Community Planning Appraisal

Documents

Urras Coimhearsnachd ShlèiteSleat Community Trust Urras Coimhearsnachd Shlèite Sleat Community Trust CADISPA ~ University of Strathclyde Geoff Fagan. Ruth