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ONE of the people who launched the Coastal Quarry Local Supporters Network has resigned, claiming interference from consultants to Redland Aggregates.
Miss Catherine Macdonald, a former Harris councillor on Comhairle nan Eilean and a long-time supporter of the Lingerbay superquarry project, resigned on Tuesday, the day on which the network held a Press conference in Stornoway.
"I knew nothing of the conference until I heard about it on TV. Surely they could have sent me a note about it. Of all the supporters of the quarry, I have probably been involved the longest time - since November 1990," she said on Tuesday afternoon.
"The way things are happening now is very different to what I had in mind when they were launching the network," said Miss Macdonald.
She pointed out, "I would like Redlands and their consultants to understand that they are not going to dominate the island. We are quite happy to work with them, but we make our own decisions."
She added, however, "I am still in favour of the quarry and the benefits outlined, but I don't want Redland to come here and dominate the islands."
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Labour Group on the Council welcomed Miss Macdonald's stance on the matter.
"We may have opposite views on whether the the quarry goes ahead, but Miss Macdonald's principled stance has clearly exposed this week's events and Barkers public relations charade for what it is - an attempt to deceive the people of the Western Isles through front organisations from Redland Aggregates. We are sure the people of the Western Isles will see through Barkers PR tactics and look at the issue on its merits," they said.
The press conference in Stornoway was called to announce a major new initiative which, its backers say, could bring as much as £12 million to the community.
The Coastal Quarry Local Supporters Network said that the new initiative which seeks to empower the Harris community and provide financial resources for community investment had been negotiated between themselves and the Royalty Recipients of the proposed quarry.
They said that the agreement negotiated by the CQLSN-followed a commitment made to the community in 1993 by the royalty recipients.
The Network Committee said that after detailed negotiations with the mineral rights leaseholder, Ian Wilson and the land owner of the South Harris development, Donnie Macdonald, an agreement had been reached with them to the effect that they would contribute 1p per tonne of minerals sold to the group for reinvestment in Harris, with the intention of creating new business opportunities.
They said that the 1p per tonne contribution could provide up to £6 million to the community over the 60 year lifespan of the quarry.
The Network have called the proposal the 'Harris Initiative' and say that negotiations will continue to expand this. The intention would be to form a 'Working Partnership' between the local community and the royalty recipients.
Say the Network, "The local community will have the final say in the decision making process. If the local community are in support of this Working Partnership, there could be a total of £12 million paid on the basis that the royalty recipients contribute at the rate of 2p per tonne of minerals sold. This expanded proposal would replace the initial agreed offer of £6 million."
Through the Network Committee, it is intended that environmental groups, Comhairle nan Eilean, Western Isles Enterprise, Harris Development Ltd and political groups 'will be asked to help on shaping the goals. These goals will address not only local wealth creation but also a commitment to improving the local environment and a respect for cultural traditions'.
Said the chairman of the CQLSN, John Archie Mackenzie, "We believe that it is possible for co-existence between development and the environment and local communities can benefit from a balanced approach to both. The quarry only facilitates the process towards a sustainable future. To secure a viable financial position from the start of working of the quarry, the CQLSN is pursuing a financial structure to ensure that the community can start to build its future on a secure basis."
But there-was nothing 'particularly new' in the proposals, said Western Isles MP Calum Macdonald.
"It is not a £6 million bonanza, rather £100,000 each year over the next 60 years," said Mr Macdonald.
The MP said he was 'rather sceptical' about the attentions of Redland Aggregates and the mineral rights leaseholder.
He is asking Scottish Natural Heritage to match the donations to islanders in order that the scheme does not go ahead.
"I am repeating the call I made to SNH to apply the same criteria to the people of Harris in respect of Lingerbay that they have applied to landlords and developers elsewhere," he added.
Dr Anne Lorne Gillies, the SNP prospective Parliamnetary candidate, described the offer made on Tuesday as not coming close to compensating the people of Harris for the potential loss which Harris might suffer.
Original article Stornoway Gazette Mar 26 1997.
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