Project Updates – 1 August 2016

Much has happened since the last updates in May. Please click on the Projects tab to view more information about each of our projects.

Loch Clash – Phase 1. The camper van site is almost completed. All that remains is the electrical connection, the placement of signs and the final cleanup.
Loch Clash – Phase 2. We were awarded £9,200 from Awards for All in April for a Business Plan. We are currently trying to secure funding for the shortfall for the Business Plan and for other costs associated with the planning work for Phase 2.
17 Manse Road – We were awarded a grant of £2,000 from the Stronger Sutherland initiative. This brings the total that we have raised to £22,000. Renovation work began in June.
18 Manse Road – We have submitted a Business Plan to Highland Council. The Council’s Resources Committee will consider whether the house can be transferred to us at their meeting at the end of August. A total of £17,000 towards the costs of renovating this house has been raised.
Community Broadband. Superfast broadband is expected to be “rolled out” to Kinlochbervie by the end of 2016 with the installation by BT OpenReach of a fibre cabinet in the village. This will benefit only those who live up to approximately 2.5 km of the cabinet. However, the Scottish Government has pledged that superfast broadband will be available to all premises in Scotland by 2021.
Community Council Minutes. The Kinlochbervie Community Company is not part of the Community Council; however, the minutes can be viewed/downloaded from our website. The minutes are also available at the Kinlochbervie community website and at the local garage.

Loch Clash – Phase 2

As Phase 1 is now nearing completion, it is time to think about Phase 2. We were delighted to hear in April that we had been awarded a lottery grant of £9,200 (Awards for All) for an Options Appraisal and Business Plan for Phase 2. This will be done by a consultant. Based on previous community consultation, possible uses include a cafe, bunkhouse accommodation and a heritage room. We are now seeking further funding to top up the award and to commission architectural drawings.

Loch Clash Update – 14 May 2016

Although there has been a pause in work on-site, much is still going on – we have been given the go-ahead for the water connections, a caravan licence has been applied and a sign for the project has been done. The site is almost cleared and the new concrete surface should be laid shortly.

Loch Clash Development – Site Clearance

Work has continued on clearing and preparing the site. This has included part of the infrastructure for electrical connections.

Loch Clash Redevelopment – The Building Comes Down

In one hour, on 7 March 2016, the former offices of the Kinlochbervie Fish Selling Company were demolished as part of the pier’s redevelopment as a future community hub. Historically, Loch Clash has been the centre of fishing in Kinlochbervie. Originally fish were landed and the markets held in the open air on the pier. Local people remember today’s building being constructed in the 1950s but it has now been vacant for over 30 years.

It has taken over 10 years to assemble the land and secure the funding. Now that work has finally begun, we have been gratified to receive a great many positive comments from local people about the development. But today is also tinged with a little sadness; so many current and former residents of Kinlochbervie have fond memories of working in this building (sometimes for many years).

Loch Clash Redevelopment – The Work Begins

Work started this week on the Loch Clash project – repairing the drain and disposing of the 2 derelict caravans. For more photos, see the Loch Clash page at: https://klbcompany.com/loch-clash-redevelopment/

Loch Clash – The Work Begins

Derelict buildings and caravans on Loch Clash Pier – 13 Feb 2016.

KLB Company Chair Graham Wild, Project Manager Alan Jones and Contractor Robert Elrick review the work to be done – 13 Feb 2016.

Finally! The work on Phase 1 of the Loch Clash Pier project is about to begin. The official start date (weather permitting) is 22 February 2016. This spring should see some real change – clearing the site, building a retaining wall, putting in 5 bays for campervans and hooking up electricity, water and waste disposal.

Update on Loch Clash Project – January 2016

Highland Council issued the demolition warrant in December. Our project manager (Alan Jones & Associates Inverness) is currently working with Scottish Water to confirm details of the water supply. This is necessary before the work can commence.

Application for Loch Clash Building Warrant

The Kinlochbervie Community Company has applied to Highland Council for a building warrant to do the work on Loch Clash pier. This is necessary before work can begin. The warrant is expected by the end of November.

Permission Granted to Clear Loch Clash Pier

Highland Council has given permission to the Kinlochbervie Community Company to demolish the buildings on the pier at Loch Clash, install 5 hookups for caravans/camper vans and prepare the site for development. Alan Jones (of Alan Jones and Associates) is our project manager will be tendering the project on our behalf.