COUNCILLORS in the Western Isles are to be asked to approve plans that would see the council acquire a 2.63-hectare area of surplus Ministry of Defence (MoD) land at West Camp, Balivanich.
Funding of £500,000 from the UK Government has been earmarked for the purchase and the commissioning of an external consultant to plan the site’s future use.
The proposal goes before three Comhairle committees next week, with members recommended to approve the acquisition and to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to conclude negotiations with the MoD on terms and conditions.
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The £500,000 has been allocated from the £20 million Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP) awarded to the Outer Hebrides by the UK Government in Autumn 2024.
In April 2025, the Comhairle agreed on a range of investment priorities under the programme. A Comhairle report says these seek to “address inequalities, improve infrastructure, strengthen communities and provide innovative local solutions.”
Should the purchase go ahead, the report states that an external consultant will be commissioned to develop a plan for the site’s future use.
The report says, “it is already clear that there is a range of potential public and private sector interests and opportunities in relation to the site,” including educational and recreational uses, with engaging local young people a key requirement of the consultation process.
The site, known as West Camp 1, was declared surplus by the MoD in July 2025. Fourteen buildings were demolished during a remediation period, leaving a vacant grassed area at the central north section of the former military base at Balivanich, Benbecula.
A report due to go before councillors states that before negotiations on price can begin, an independent valuation is required under Treasury policy. Chartered surveyors Graham and Sibbald have been commissioned by the MoD to provide a RICS "Red Book compliant" valuation, with a report anticipated by the end of April 2026.
Officers will also prepare a site appraisal covering legal issues, costs, risks, environmental impact, and partnership opportunities. The site appraisal, together with the valuation report from Graham and Sibbald, will inform the final decision on whether to purchase the site.
The delegation of authority to the Chief Executive is proposed because of the tight CRP delivery timeline, with funding required to be committed during the 2026/27 financial year.
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The report adds that “it will also be important to understand the scale and nature of future activity in the area of West Camp being retained by the MoD.” At present, it notes, usage of the retained site is “relatively low-level with activity most intensive in the lead up to and during the biennial Formidable Shield NATO exercises.”
Formidable Shield 2025, which involved nine NATO nations, was described as the largest such exercise in Europe to date. The report says any planned growth or alternative uses of the MoD-retained area must be understood “as far as possible in advance of public and stakeholder consultation on the future of West Camp 1.”
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