Government agency responds to criticisms over lack of investment in Glenmore
Forestry and Land Scotland has said that the public agency 'supports the right' of a community body to make a community asset transfer request for Glenmore Campsite and part of the wider area.
The FLS has provided a full response following Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust directors stating they now intend to go down this road after losing out in a competitive tender process.
The trust held a public meeting at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort a week ago attended by around 90 people and there was unanimous support from those there to try and gain control of the campsite.
They will also ask First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to intervene amid claims that FLS did not carry out a proper community consultation ahead of going out to the market.
At the meeting, it was also claimed that there had been no real investment in the site or Glenmore Forest Park area, the strath's most popular tourist spot.
A spokesperson for Forestry and Land Scotland told the Strathy: “FLS share the community’s frustration caused by the previous closure of the campsite and the lack of investment in the facilities.
"Glenmore campsite was leased to a third party under terms which severely restricted our ability to influence business decisions and daily operations.
“The effect of this was exacerbated during 2020 when the campsite made the decision not to open.
"The impact of this decision created significant additional pressure on FLS as well as the local community, and we worked tirelessly with other landholders to manage the negative consequential effects of the use of land around Glenmore for wild camping.
“An opportunity to regain control arose and we publicly announced that we had reacquired the lease in February 2022, and put in place the bidding process as soon as possible seeking as wide a range of bids as possible.
“The options available for the Glenmore Campsite were discussed with AGCT at a meeting on 1 June 2022, and they indicated they would make a competitive bid following the bidding process and required criteria.
"We subsequently met with AGCT on 27 September to discuss the outcome of the bidding process.
“In total we had 11 bids, including the community trust.
"Their bid was not in the top three submissions in terms of our tender evaluation, which included the evaluation of community benefit and community engagement.
"We recognise the trust is disappointed with the outcome but we needed to accept the submission that would secure best value for the public purse, alongside significant investment in the future of the campsite in line with FLS and Scottish Government aims and objectives, and benefits to wider community.
“We also wanted to ensure business continuity, with the new operator due to be in place by 1 December 2022, especially considering Glenmore operates all year round.
“We recognise the importance of the campsite to the local community and support their right to make a Community Asset Transfer request.
"As AGCT has now expressed interest in the café at Glenmore, we have been able to postpone the tender process for this opportunity, initially notified in November 2021, to allow the community time to make a request.
“Glenmore and the surrounding area are important visitor destinations to FLS.
"The area has been hugely successful in terms of attracting visitors but we acknowledge at times, particularly during Covid, the impact on the community and on protected habitats has been unsustainable.
“We remain committed to working with the community and partners to find a sustainable approach to visitor management in this special part of Cairngorms National Park.”
Read more on this story in the latest Strathy now on sale.
