Machrihanish: yours for £1

[Low Flier]

According to the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8688784.stm):

Voting is under way on a proposal which could lead to a community buyout of one of Scotland's biggest Cold War sites.

The plan is for a community business to take over the 1,000-acre former RAF Machrihanish site, near Campbeltown, on the Kintyre peninsular.

The MoD is prepared to sell it to a community business for just £1.

Although there is little opposition to the idea, supporters are worried because half of the electorate needs to take part for the result to be valid.

The RAF Machrihanish site includes a 10,000ft (3,000m) runway - one of the longest in Europe.

Since the military pulled out in the mid-90s, much of the site has been largely empty.

The people behind the community business hope the buyout could give them the opportunity to develop the site over time and create jobs.

The alternative is for the MoD to sell it commercially on the open market.

A postal vote is under way in South Kintyre on the proposal.

While there is no organised opposition, there are sceptics.

They either want to know more or question what the buyout will actually achieve.

[Aerouk]

I'm curious what the community business is wanting to do with the area, it will cost a lot to remove all of the properties that aren't being used any more.

[Lukeafb1]

Having been to Machrihanish a number of times when it was operational, both by air and once by road, it's a hell of a long way from anywhere by road!! Transport times and costs would seem to go against using it as a commercial centre. :confused:

[Romeo Oscar Golf]

Aerouk and Lukeafb1 there's quite a lot of info on the web, some of it will address your questions. My wife comes from Campeltown and her family are still there....so I declare an interest.
An example..


About Us


OUR GROUP:

The Machrihanish Airbase Community Company is a limited company by guarantee with charitable status owned and controlled by local people within the postcode area of Kintyre PA28 6. The group was launched 1st March 2008 with, as stated in the Land Reform Act 2003, people from all walks of life within the PA28 6 postcode area to represent the community. We know we have approximately 660 members with support at this time from approximately 17% of the voting public in Kintyre.
WHY ARE WE DECLARING AN INTEREST IN THE EX MACHRIHANISH BASE FOR THE COMMUNITY:

The MACC group want to create a sustainable business within the airbase for the long term future of the area, keeping all revenues raised within our community.
To create as many jobs and opportunities as possible for the local public and business to expand.
Working with Scottish Government, HIE and Argyll & Bute Council to encourage a many industries and businesses as possible to set up within the ex RAF base.
To explore new types of businesses and industries with the view of reducing the carbon foot print in the area.
Explore the prospects of building ecological friendly buildings within the base, also bring in ideas for renewable energy project in the base to create and are of excellence for green project within the U.K. This we will be looking into with a specialised company whom we have signed a non disclosure agreement with.
Work with local companies to help them expand and develop.
Expanding the use of the base by aircraft fixed wing and helicopters by taking to companies wishing to come into the area to service and store aircraft.
Exploring the prospect of a duty free port within the fence of the base, this would mean that you can manufacture renewable energy products duty free, also create a duty free warehouse storage area for onward movement of airfreight to all parts of the Europe and the U.K. Why here – because all aircraft flying to and from Canada and USA to U>K> and Europe go directly over our base making it easy for this type of industry and business.
If you have lived in Kintyre for a number of years you will know that we have seen many companies and industries come and go creating a boom and burst economy. This is something the MACC group would hope to stop by creating more diverse businesses within the airbase giving the opportunity to our up and coming youth of the area to have high tech work without having to move from the area. We also want to keep the money generated from the base in the community for the greater good of the community.


Downloads

Valuation Report (http://www.machrihanish.org/sites/machrihanish.org/files/ValuationReportMachrihanish.pdf)
Why vote? Flyer (http://www.machrihanish.org/sites/machrihanish.org/files/WhyVoteFlyerMACC.pdf)
Business Plan Opportunities Form (http://www.machrihanish.org/sites/machrihanish.org/files/BusinessCaseMACC.pdf)
Membership Application Form (http://www.machrihanish.org/sites/machrihanish.org/files/ApplicationFormMACC.pdf)
Memorandum & Articles of Association (http://www.machrihanish.org/sites/machrihanish.org/files/Memorandum+ArticlesMACC.pdf)
We are not about:

Being negative - the expression of interest is about moving Machrihanish Airbase forward for the benefit of the whole community.
We do not want to prevent development.We are about:

Wanting to work with others.
Wanting to share accrued benefits.
Wanting to retain Machrihanish Airbase as a unit.The Company

ChairmanIan WardropVice ChairmanDon MitchellSecretaryMary Docherty We have a number of directors, hundreds of ordinary members and even more supporters.

[grantj]

i had to spend 3 weeks at macrihanish back in the late 70's, i think £1 is about 95p too much.

[Romeo Oscar Golf]

A sound and considered first post. Can you dance as well?

[Bob Viking]

Come on, don't flash.
Give the guy some credit. As first posts go it was actually quite funny!
BV:ok:

[grantj]

only to ''mull of kintyre''

[fincastle84]

I remember a very wet, miserable Taceval there in the 70s, detached from Kinloss for a loadex which eventually took place at 0300 something.

Much more pleasurable memories of 86 when I spent 2 glorious weeks in June detached from CFB Greenwood flying an Aurora on a JMC. We were billeted in a pub in Campeltown, aircrew heaven.

Why don't they use it to house ALL the so called travellers who are blighting the English countryside?

[MATELO]

Buy it for £1.

Turn it into a live bombing range.

Charge the RAF £000s to drop ordinance on the buildings.

Sell land without any buildings.

Jobs a good 'un.

[Romeo Oscar Golf]

OK it's a fair cop. I was only trying to show solidarity with my in laws. Not that keen on Machrihanish the aifield, but there are two great golf courses nearby and another down the road at Southend, fantastic surfing beaches, outstanding scenery and the locals do need a project to keep the area alive. Also the airfield is a lifeline for the air ambulance service, RW would be too slow. Finally the local malt, Springbank, is very good.:O

On the BBC website
Highlands and Islands Airports leases part of the site for use as Campbeltown airport.
This would not be part of the sale

[racedo]

Ryanair's new airport Edinburgh West:)

[Cows getting bigger]

I don't suppose you guys would be interested, but I lost my virginity at RAF Machrihanish. It cost me far more than £1. :)

[2Planks]

As did quite a lot of UAS cadets on their first summer camp!;)

[racedo]

I don't suppose you guys would be interested, but I lost my virginity at RAF Machrihanish. It cost me far more than £1.

If you a bird then could have been interested before the event with a better offer:cool:
If a bloke then who cares.
If was with a 4 legged animal then it doesn't count.

Ok hat coat etc

[Old-Duffer]

Does your nom de plume "Cows Getting Bigger" tell us anything about how you lost your virginity or could it be the consequences of this act - I think we should be told.

[matkat]

In reference to the aims of MACC, 2 years ago I was asked to audit the place with a view to setting up a commercial aircraft maintenance facility, I unfortunately came to the view that it was just not practical as far to far away for any manpower base to be established and it would be unviable to get large amount of spares there to support the operation. The hangar/s and support facilities had been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent it would have been necessary to completly refurbish and/or rebuild, pity as I rather liked the idea.

[Duncan D'Sorderlee]

You had to be brave on a night out in Campbeltown! Ah, the fisher wifies!

Duncs:ok:

[Jimmy Macintosh]

Buy it, make sure there is a sufficeintly high enough fence around it, restart all of the UFO and secret airbase rumours. Then set up a gift shop across from the main gate. Slowly sell souvenirs, i.e. building parts, and unofficial guided tours very late at night pretending to skirt security patrols.

[Low Flier]

Ryanair's new airport Edinburgh West

Sssh! They'll call it Aberdeen SouthWest and Stavanger Central too.

[Flying Serpent]

I don't suppose you guys would be interested, but I lost my virginity at RAF Machrihanish. It cost me far more than £1.

How much DID you have to pay him then?

:E

[Blighter Pilot]

MOD to keep the airfield as the Brize Norton RLG. Some personnel who are without housing at Brize will be accommodated at Mac and flown to Oxfordshire daily by C130:ok:

[gsa]

I unfortunately came to the view that it was just not practical as far to far away for any manpower base to be established and it would be unviable to get large amount of spares there to support the operation. The hangar/s and support facilities had been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent it would have been necessary to completly refurbish and/or rebuild,If you let anyone know it's that bad the MOD might scrap Brize and send everything there instead. At only a quid there's money to be saved.

[Kengineer-130]

MOD to keep the airfield as the Brize Norton RLG. Some personnel who are without housing at Brize will be accommodated at Mac and flown to Oxfordshire daily by C130

Blighter, an interesting plan. But each time we land at Brize, if following the current trend, it would only work for 25ish or so trips before we run out of Alberts.....:}

[Blighter Pilot]

Not if you fly less then 165 KIAS with the gear down:ok: