Scottish Borders community creates a successful snowball effect
When a small Scottish Borders community began to do things for themselves, they could never have predicted the amazing snowball effect that would soon start rolling. Newcastleton & District Community Trust (NDCT) began their adventures in enterprise by reinstating a fuel station in Newcastleton a decade after the last one had closed, and the success gave them confidence to think big for the future for their rural community.
That collective ambition made a big first impression on Just Enterprise’s James Finnie when he was first referred to provide enterprise support expertise for the Trust in 2018.
“It was clear to me right from the start that this was a group of people who had the chutzpah to make things happen. They were cohesive and determined, and importantly, I could see that they had the resilience to see long projects through from beginning to end.”
It is being demoshed to make way for a new community owned unmanned fuel station and electric vehicle charging point. Photo Phil Wilkinson
With James’ guidance, NDCT’s snowball effect began building in earnest. With the agreement and support of the main local landowner, the Trust progressed the zero-cost asset transfer of 43 hectares of local leisure assets. As the official owner, NDCT now plan to upgrade and improve these assets to enhance the area’s overall tourism offer. This will not only support the economic sustainability of the community but also encourage more of the local population to engage in a healthier, fitter lifestyle.
When the Trust was formed in 2016 it inherited a large, neglected class C listed building, Buccleuch House. Over time, and with further support from Just Enterprise, NDCT were able to identify a dual use for the building’s bright new future. Not only will it serve as a community outreach learning centre, saving local learners from a 50+ mile round trip and helping keep young people and their skills in the area, but the top floor will be developed into a bunk house for outdoor activity visitors and tourists, generating income for the Trust.
Barbara Elborn is clear that Just Enterprise’s role has been crucial as NDCT’s ambitions have gathered pace, “Having Just Enterprise’s support has really helped us identify all the building blocks required to develop a strategy for acquiring local assets and for working out how best to develop them for the benefit of this community. What we’ve learned from James is that it’s not just about doing good stuff for the community, but that we should aim to be commercially viable too.”
Photo Phil Wilkinson
Just Enterprise’s advice was sought once again by NDCT when a large amount of local land came up for sale unexpectedly in 2019. As an ambitious group, the Trust immediately saw the multi-use development potential for approximately 750 acres of this land across Holm Hill. They engaged once more with Just Enterprise to provide additional capacity and expertise. With James’ support, NDCT were initially able to secure funding for a feasibility study and legal guidance, and he then helped them develop the detailed plans needed to submit a bid to the Scottish Land Fund for an accelerated purchase process.
In June 2020, The Scottish Land Fund announced that NDCT were successful in their application to buy the land and they were awarded £850,000 towards sustainable multi-use development including farming, renewable energy, sympathetic forestry, outdoor and leisure activities, and flood prevention.
For Barbara Elborn, this bold expansion clearly signals the Trust’s ambitions for the area, “The purchase of Holm Hill will broaden and expand our boundaries beyond simple economic benefits. As a rural setting which has faced significant depopulation, we hope to offer development and enterprise opportunities as a way to help hold on to the younger members of our community.”