Tormore Forest ~ about to be a community assett?

In September 2005 the Sleat Community Trust Forestry Advisory Group (FAG) was established to consider the viability of bringing Tormore Forest into community ownership using the National Forest Land Scheme.

FAG consultated with the community through public meetings, a Planning for Real exercise and  the newsletter. They met with the Forestry Commission and this led to an agreement to carry out a joint valuation by the local Valuation Officer. Progress was good.

In March 2009 the Forestry Commission without prior notification advertised in the local press that Tormore Forest was surplus to requirements and was to be sold.

As a community group we were invited to register our interest (which we of course had already done) but which we were compelled to repeat. We then had 58 days from the end of April 2009  to show the National Land Scheme Committee that we were fit to manage the forest. If we could not show this, the forest would be placed on the open market.

With considerable effort we met the deadline. Sleat Trust owes the FAG members and  the community a big thankyou for showing such good support. The initial  response showed almost unanimous support for the acquisition of Tormore, whihc was backed up with an official ballot early in 2010.

Community Ownership is now real possiblity.

But first the Trust needs to raise £20,000 by the end of 2010.

Go and find out more on the special Tormore website