Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has published the findings of his informal consultation on the future of Raasay.

129 consultation questionnaires were sent 6-7 weeks ago, and Dave has received a significant number of high quality responses.

Dave said: “I would like to thank everyone who was able to participate; I was very pleased that we have now received responses from 61 of the 129 Raasay residents we contacted, a very creditable 47% response rate. They were high quality returns, with a lot of helpful comment and this has all made a valuable contribution to the debate.

Of the 61 responses received, 27 (54% of those expressing a clear opinion) indicated that they were supportive of community ownership of Raasay. 23 (46% of those expressing a clear opinion) indicated they were unsupportive. The remaining 11 said they would require more information on the process of community ownership before making a decision.

The overwhelming majority of respondents indicated that, given Forestry Commission Scotland are intent on selling their Raasay forestry, they were in favour of community ownership of this forestry land.

Dave added: “These results have been sent to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, to aid the Government consultation on the future of Raasay. I will also make the details available on my website in due course.

“I urge everyone on Raasay to respond to the formal Government consultation which is now about to start.”

Note:

Copies of the blank consultation paper and response sheet