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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Ballot over Attenborough buyout | Ballot over Attenborough buyout |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Islanders on Bute are voting on plans to buy almost 2,000 acres of land currently owned by film director Richard Attenborough. | Islanders on Bute are voting on plans to buy almost 2,000 acres of land currently owned by film director Richard Attenborough. |
| The scheme's supporters said the purchase of Rhubodach Forest could help transform the island's fortunes. | The scheme's supporters said the purchase of Rhubodach Forest could help transform the island's fortunes. |
| More than 5,000 islanders have a vote in what is Scotland's biggest ever ballot on a community buyout proposal. | More than 5,000 islanders have a vote in what is Scotland's biggest ever ballot on a community buyout proposal. |
| The forest, which lies at the northern end of Bute and offers spectacular views of Argyll, is valued at £1.4m. | The forest, which lies at the northern end of Bute and offers spectacular views of Argyll, is valued at £1.4m. |
| Bute Community Land Company, which has been set up to organise the buyout, is confident it can raise enough cash for the project, primarily from public grants and loans. | Bute Community Land Company, which has been set up to organise the buyout, is confident it can raise enough cash for the project, primarily from public grants and loans. |
| It also believes it can win the community support needed to allow the bid to proceed. | It also believes it can win the community support needed to allow the bid to proceed. |
| We need to make Bute an island that everyone wants to come to and that means you've got to have things for people to do Sara Goss MelvinBoathouse Bed and Breakfast | We need to make Bute an island that everyone wants to come to and that means you've got to have things for people to do Sara Goss MelvinBoathouse Bed and Breakfast |
| More than half of the 5,000 islanders who are eligible to vote must take part in the ballot for it to be valid. | More than half of the 5,000 islanders who are eligible to vote must take part in the ballot for it to be valid. |
| If the majority of those who cast a vote are in favour of the buyout, the proposals will go ahead. | If the majority of those who cast a vote are in favour of the buyout, the proposals will go ahead. |
| Christine McArthur, a director of Bute Community Land Company, admitted that the size of the ballot has created difficulties. | Christine McArthur, a director of Bute Community Land Company, admitted that the size of the ballot has created difficulties. |
| She said: "During community buyouts in smaller islands, like Eigg or Gigha, fewer than 100 were eligible to vote. | She said: "During community buyouts in smaller islands, like Eigg or Gigha, fewer than 100 were eligible to vote. |
| "Here we've got well over 5,000. That brings particular challenges in trying to reach everyone and get a positive message out." | "Here we've got well over 5,000. That brings particular challenges in trying to reach everyone and get a positive message out." |
| Islanders are still debating whether to go ahead with the plan, but campaigners believe community ownership could allow the forest to become a destination for eco-tourism, with improved access for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. | Islanders are still debating whether to go ahead with the plan, but campaigners believe community ownership could allow the forest to become a destination for eco-tourism, with improved access for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. |
| Lord Attenborough is the current owner of the Rhubodach Forest | Lord Attenborough is the current owner of the Rhubodach Forest |
| Wood from the forest would also be used to provide carbon neutral heating for homes in Bute, while many local business owners believe the plan could help attract a new generation of visitors to the island. | Wood from the forest would also be used to provide carbon neutral heating for homes in Bute, while many local business owners believe the plan could help attract a new generation of visitors to the island. |
| Sara Goss Melvin, who runs the Boathouse Bed and Breakfast overlooking the harbour in Rothesay, said: "We need to make Bute an island that everyone wants to come to and that means you've got to have things for people to do. | Sara Goss Melvin, who runs the Boathouse Bed and Breakfast overlooking the harbour in Rothesay, said: "We need to make Bute an island that everyone wants to come to and that means you've got to have things for people to do. |
| "You've got to give the modern tourist what they want and buying the forest would help us do that." | "You've got to give the modern tourist what they want and buying the forest would help us do that." |
| Lord and Lady Attenborough, the current owners of Rhubodach Forest, have not commented publicly on the community buyout proposal. | |
| Islanders have until Thursday to take part in the postal ballot. The result of the vote is expected to be announced on Friday. | Islanders have until Thursday to take part in the postal ballot. The result of the vote is expected to be announced on Friday. |