MOD POSITION ON CAPE WRATH ‘LAUGHABLE’ The Scottish National Party has said the Ministry of Defence’s position on the community buy-out of Cape Wrath is ‘laughable’ following the publication of MoD correspondence in today’s Sunday Herald, which says that they considered opposing the Scottish Government’s decision to approve a bid for community ownership “on grounds of national security.” The correspondence also referred to the community as “a hostile neighbour” and confirmed that “access to the local community would be precluded” if the MoD bought the land. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has pointed out that with independence – and hence Scottish control of defence decisions – such an attitude would be consigned to the history books. In June the Scottish Government approved an application by Durness Development Group Ltd to register a community interest in 111 acres of land at Cape Wrath. The parcel of land, adjacent to the world famous Cape Wrath lighthouse, is currently owned by the Northern Lighthouse Board. It includes the Lloyd’s buildings signal station, a rare survivor of a formerly extensive series of installations around the coast. Most of the land around the lighthouse is owned by the MoD. Commenting Mr Lochhead said: “It’s beyond belief that the MoD think that the local Durness community becoming owners of the land at Cape Wrath is a threat to national security. Perhaps they might like to explain whether it is the tourists enjoying the views; locals having tea and cakes in the café, or walkers completing the Scottish National Trail that pose the greatest threat. It’s laughable – but it’s also serious as it is this sort of arrogant Whitehall attitude which could have stopped the community getting the chance to buy the land at Cape Wrath. “This attitude no doubt stems from the same MoD sources that claimed that they were working on a plan to annex Faslane as sovereign UK territory after Scottish independence in order to keep Trident based there. Downing Street were forced to issue a swift denial that any such plan was being considered. "With independence – and hence Scottish control of defence decisions – such an attitude would be consigned to the history. “The Scottish Government were delighted to approve the application by Durness Development Group to register a community interest in 111 acres of land at Cape Wrath. If the community is able to go ahead and successfully purchase the land – as we hope it will be – it will secure a stronger local economy for the people of Durness and preserve one of Scotland’s iconic landscapes for generations to come.” Local MSP Rob Gibson who backs the community bid added, “The MOD are obviously interested in having a monopoly in the area and we have to fight that. It is the MOD who are the ‘hostile neighbours’ to sustainable community development. “It is inconceivable that the defence ministry of an independent Scottish Government would have such an arrogant attitude towards our own communities. It illustrates that only with independence can we make sure that the interests of the people of Scotland take priority – not the daft schemes and arrogant attitudes of MoD pen-pushers and distant Westminster Ministers.” Note: The Sunday Herald story can be viewed here: heraldscotland/news/environment/war-erupts-over-bombing-range-extension-plans.21839446
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 13:05:14 +0000
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