New operator lined up for Badenoch and Strathpsey's busiest campsite

A government agency has outlined its reasons for snubbing a community bid to take over the strath’s busiest campsite after appointing new operators.

But at the same time the group behind it ­– Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust (AGCT) – is exploring a new avenue which, if successful, could see them still take charge of Glenmore Campsite on the shores of Loch Morlich.

The trust wants to carry out a community asset transfer and will be holding a meeting this evening (Thursday) to outline their approach and to seek local support.

They believe there is still much to fight for despite Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) confirming to the Strathy that a preferred bidder has now been identified.

But the campsite owners have declined to name the winner of the 15-year lease as they are ‘still finalising legals’.

A FLS spokesperson told the ‘Strathy’: “At the start of this process, all 11 interested parties were advised on the form that bids should take, the elements that should be included and how all of those would be evaluated.

“All 11 parties accepted this and were happy to participate on this basis.

“Securing best value for the public purse meant that commercial considerations were involved.

“However, of equal importance were future plans for the campsite and how these would align with FLS objectives to make positive contributions to the local tourism economy and the community.

“The three bidders that scored highest across all the criteria were shortlisted, with the eventual successful bid being the most well-rounded overall package that delivered highly against all required criteria.

“An additional important factor was assessing bidders’ readiness to begin operating the camp site by December 1 both to ensure the continued employment of site staff, and to ensure continuation of service to customers.

“The preferred bidder was best able to demonstrate this capability.

“We are aware that AGCT is disappointed that it was unsuccessful.”

“However, we believe that the trust shares with us some common objectives regarding the local community and its involvement in providing local services.

“We believe that there are other opportunities in and around the Glenmore area that we would like to explore with them and have offered a further meeting with the trust to consider these options.”

AGCT firmly believes it is best placed to run and develop the campsite – and to tackle on-going problems which have included dirty camping and disruption to Glenmore residents.

Their tender had won support in high places including from the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. They had secured finance in principle of a further £500,000 towards the proposals.

Aviemore-based Wildlands Ltd – owned by Scotland’s richest man Anders Holch Povlsen – had offered to guarantee £130,000 a year towards rent payments for the first three years as part of the AGCT bid.

Director Mike Dearman said: “At Glenmore we have an FLS asset which directly impacts on our community on a daily basis during summer, has well-publicised social and transport problems, and where the community has specifically expressed a direct interest in its operations in the past.

“FLS regularly publicises its belief that it is at the forefront of community empowerment.

“I would like to think that FLS would therefore agree that the ‘start of this process’ should have been adequate engagement with the community over the future of the site and not the announcement of a commercial lease offer with zero consultation.

“FLS is clear that the commercial bidders offer ‘best value for the public purse’ – whilst perhaps the highest bidder offers best value for FLS day to day finances, we have strong doubts that the statement is true here.

“Any profits made by AGCT through the campsite cannot be distributed to shareholders, and therefore would have been reinvested in the campsite and relevant community projects.”

AGCT chairman Duncan Swarbrick commented: “Scottish Government guidance to the community empowerment act states that they are determined to see a Scotland where community-led action is celebrated and community ownership is desirable and viable.

“It has become clear to AGCT that community ownership it is not just desirable but absolutely essential in order to ensure our voice is heard.”

AGCT is holding its general meeting this evening at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort starting at 7pm. All are welcome. Directions to the meeting will be given at the resort's main reception.

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