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Written by Aileen MacNicol
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Thursday, 04 February 2010 16:17 |
IT was standing room only in Innellan village hall last Saturday, at a packed public meeting to discuss the Castle Toward situation.
Prior to the meeting - hosted by South Cowal Community Council - it had been hoped that supporters of the arts/outdoor education facility would march from Dunoon to Innellan, but this was cancelled at the last minute as permission could not be granted.
Over 120 people gathered in Innellan village hall to face Argyll and Bute Council leader Dick Walsh, executive director Douglas Hendry, and Actual Reality director Dr Christopher Mason.
Mr Hendry told the meeting: “Since 2003 the council policy has been consistent regarding pursuit of a disposal of Castle Toward.
“The rationale here is that there would be a significant capital receipt which could then be invested into education services in Cowal and Bute.”
Dr Chris Mason is a Glasgow City councillor who has had a long involvement with the castle - and is also a director of Actual Reality.
Saying that he welcomed the shared commitment of both the company and the council to work together, he said: “I am certain that we can put together a financial package which will allow us to buy the castle and give the people of Argyll a fair price.”
Both sides made clear their intent to work together on the issue, with Dr Mason saying: “I am confident that a bargain can be struck.”
However, a question first asked by Alan Reid, along with subsequent comments from the floor, has added a new dimension to the Castle Toward debate.
Mr Reid asked about the long-term guarantee for Toward’s future beyond any sale to Actual Reality - and members of the public later called for some kind of community ownership or buyout to be given consideration; a suggestion which had not previously been given much weight.
Both points were addressed unequivocally by Dr Mason. “Actual Reality has applied for charitable status, which cannot be granted until we have the premises. But I give an undertaking that this will be pursued after we buy the castle. It will restrict any ability to sell off the assets!”
Pointing out that ultimately, Actual Reality, although a not-for-profit organisation, must operate commercially to survive, he added: “Our only guarantee is commercial viability.
“A community buyout will only result in competition for Actual Reality in terms of bidding for the castle and will not help us.
“We need clear, uncluttered title to the castle and to achieve this we will go to market and we will buy it.”
Local resident Dave Dewar was the first of several to question the fact that Actual Reality is spending potentially considerable sums of money on upgrading the facility to reopen in March - without any guarantee that it will become the owner of the property in which it has invested heavily.
“Yes, we are taking a risk but it is one we accept,” replied Dr Mason. “These works and payment are not to be used as any kind of moral pressure on the council - it is a business arrangement and one we are perfectly comfortable with.”
Another concern was the fact that Actual Reality may not buy the entire Castle Toward estate, but only part - with fears about what type of development might take place on the remainder, sold to another buyer. Mr Hendry indicated that other parties have already expressed an interest in the site.
However, both the council representatives and Dr Mason repeatedly refused to confirm exactly how much of the estate would form part of a deal with Actual Reality.
“I’m not telling you how much we want to buy,” said Dr Mason. “No one would expect that kind of negotiation to be carried out at a public meeting.”
There followed repeated calls for an open and transparent process with community involvement. One local woman said: “Remember your main moral duty is to the people of Cowal and not just to reward Actual Reality for the work it has already done. Please take a long term view and not just look at the short term.”
Tony Miles, who chaired the meeting in an expert and efficient manner, closed by saying: “We will continue to monitor the situation for the community.”
He will be joined in keeping a close eye on proceedings by the Save Castle Toward campaign - which has noted that even if the education facility continues, the estate might be affected at least in part by some kind of development. There are indications that the issue has expanded from ‘save Castle Toward in its present form’ to a fight against any kind of housing development within the grounds - but as yet, outwith the internet site and a petition, there is no dedicated campaign, leader or strategic plan of action.
While support for the retention of the estate in its current form as an arts/outdoor education amenity is extensive, much of it originates from outwith the Cowal area. Locally-based supporters 'on the ground' have tended to back Actual Reality as the current (and long term) operators of the centre. And a community buyout, as suggested at Saturday’s meeting, would, crucially, need to garner sufficient support right here in Cowal in order to attract the kind of funding required. Such a move, as well as adding more competition to the bidding process, would involve extensive fundraising and protracted purchase negotiations - and if successful, would require to be economically sustainable.
While Saturday’s meeting sounded positive and was certainly not the storm of protest it threatened to be - the fight for Castle Toward is not over yet. The precise nature of that fight is perhaps yet still to be fully defined.
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