Proposals to regenerate Balivanich

24 August 2018

Proposals for regenerating Balivanich are to be presented to the community at a public meeting.

The event is due to be held on 20 September.

Consultants have been hired to draw up a masterplan to revamp the area.

Threesixty Architecture presented their ideas to the Uist Economic Taskforce working group.

Working group chairman Iain A MacNeil said the presentation provided an “excellent overview” of what can be achieved in Balivanich over the next number of years.

The ideas are “ambitious but realistic with a good mix of reinforcing strategies,” he added.

Iain A MacNeil said: “I was particularly pleased that the proposals were presented in a series of small, medium and large investments projects.

“This approach offers the potential for undertaking investments at a speed the community is comfortable with, while allowing appropriate phasing to take account of the availability of funding.”

After next month’s community meeting, the working group will be looking to prioritise some initial “quick win” investments.

Mr MacNeil added: “I look forward to feedback from the community and for the initial prioritisation being completed. I also look forward to a rapid move into the implementation phase of the work.”

The Balivanich strategy aims to set out an achievable, clear vision for the development of Balivanich, which has the support of the community and key stakeholders and has the potential to impact positively on the whole area.

Proposals look at projects to address the key strategic challenges and opportunities facing Balivanich.