February 2025:
- As you may be aware, the Torran Bay Hostel and its surrounding land have gone up for sale. A local Ford resident Eric Holden, has been spearheading a project to look at the possibility of buying Lot 4 for the community. Lot 4 is land that stretches from opposite Stone View, Torran, down along the Loch shore to Inviliever Island. Last year, the village hall committee put an online survey on this website to gauge community support and interest in proceeding with this purchase. Of the 50 responses received, 48 were positive. Eric, using the village hall as a charitable entity, has enquired of the Scottish Land Fund as to whether they would pay for the purchase of Lot 4 as a community asset. Eric, who has volunteered a huge amount of his time, has managed to clear stage 1 of the SLF process. That means that the hall has received funding on his behalf to pay for a consultant to draw up a business plan, liability studies, an independent evaluation, and a clear vision for the proposed land. It is clear from the public consultation carried out to support the Community Action Plan that the residents would like improved access to the shore of Loch Awe for walking, wild swimming, picnics, exercising their dog safely, and for improving wildlife habitat. This is why the Ford Village Hall committee decided to work in partnership with Eric towards achieving these goals. The consultants are going to hold a drop-in session for the public on Wednesday, 5th February, 4-7 pm at the Hall. Current plans and thinking will be on display, but most importantly, it is an opportunity for you to have your say in how you think the land could be used. As usual, refreshments will be available.
March 2025:
- The Ford Village Hall committee votes unanimously to proceed with the project after a presentation by Steve Walker and Kerrien Grant from SLK. The presentation was based on the community consultation drop-in, the online survey, and SLK's business plan for the project.
- The Project business plan.
- Foundation Scotland agrees to provide the 5% shortfall in funding for the purchase of the land.
April 2025:
- The application for funding from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase the land has reached stage 2.
- A solicitor from Oban is engaged to make a provisional bid for the land, subject to successful funding. The landowner is now considering the bid.
- Argyll Advertiser publishes an article on the Project. (see below)