NWMCWC

North West Mull Community Woodland Company

Public Notice: Proposal to Purchase a Plot on Ulva

North West Mull Community Woodland Company has recently received an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a purchase of a plot of land on Ulva, to build a small house, with an office/studio space.

About the Proposal

The proposal is to create a small, single-storey dwelling using natural and local materials where possible. The house would include an office/studio space, as the applicants currently run an architectural practice and have stated that they would hope to bring this work with them to Ulva, allowing them to live and work from the island.

The proposed plot of land is located to the east/south-east of Ulva House, on the track shown on the location map below.

Approximate coordinates: 56°28’25.8″N 6°09’00.6″W
What3Words: ///flame.unlimited.soon

The location shown is approximate and is provided for consultation purposes only. It does not represent a confirmed sale, lease, agreement or legal boundary.

The EOI also notes that a coastal location could allow materials to be brought to the site by water, reducing pressure on Ulva’s road and track network during construction.

Proposed use:
Small dwelling with office/studio space.

Community benefit:

  • Supporting growth of Ulva’s resident population
  • Allowing new residents to live and work on the island
  • Bringing an island-based business to Ulva
  • Potential to share practical architectural, renovation and building experience with the community
  • Creating a building which may support different forms of work or occupation in future

Environmental and design considerations:
The EOI states that the visual and environmental impact of the dwelling would be minimised through sensitive siting, modest scale, and the use of natural and traditional materials where possible.

Context

This EOI was first received in January 2026. Since then, discussions have taken place between the applicants and NWMCWC to better understand the proposal, the proposed location, and how the request should be considered by the charity to ensure transparency and alignment with its purpose.

The site has not previously been publicly advertised. NWMCWC is therefore publishing this notice to inform the community of the interest in purchasing the land, invite feedback, and allow any other Expressions of Interest for the same site to come forward before the Board makes any decision.

No decision has been made, and publication of this notice does not mean that NWMCWC has agreed to sell, lease or otherwise make the land available.

Provide feedback

You can share your views on the received proposal or the potential use of the site. Feedback will be carefully considered before any decision is made.

Feedback may include views on the proposed use, location, access, environmental impact, visual impact, community benefit, land management, or any other matter you feel the Board should consider.

Submit your own EOI

If you or your group have an alternative proposal for this site, or nearby land, you are also welcome to submit your own EOI.

To do so, you will need to complete an Expression of Interest Form, which is available for download here: Minutes & Documents – NWMCWC.

EOIs may also be submitted at any time for other community-owned assets. If you have a proposal for using one of the Charity’s properties, assets or land, you are welcome to get in touch.

Your EOI must address:

  • What the asset or land would be used for
  • How it would benefit the community
  • How it aligns with NWMCWC values and Asset Use Principles
  • Any relevant experience
  • Environmental or cultural considerations, if applicable
  • Any access, financial, legal or practical considerations relevant to the proposal

Key details

  • Deadline for EOIs and feedback: 5pm on 25 June 2026
  • How to submit: send your EOI or feedback to admin@nwmullwoodland.co.uk or post it to North West Mull Community Woodland Company, Penmore Mill, Dervaig, Isle of Mull, PA75 6QS.

Decision making process

All proposals and feedback will be considered in line with NWMCWC’s EOI procedure and Asset Use Principles.

The Board will consider matters including community benefit, environmental sustainability, alignment with the charity’s mission, financial viability, responsible land stewardship, community feedback, and the long-term interests of the charity and its assets.

Directors or staff with any personal, family, or professional connections to applicants must declare these connections. While having connections will not automatically exclude them from the process, their involvement will be appropriately managed to ensure impartiality.

Any formal sale, lease, permission or other agreement would remain subject to Board approval, legal advice, valuation where required, statutory permissions, and any other checks considered necessary.

Community feedback received through this notice will help inform that process.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Alicja Newbrook at alicja@nwmullwoodland.co.uk.

Updated Expression of Interest Procedure

NWMCWC has updated its Expression of Interest procedure for community assets.

This procedure explains how the charity considers requests from individuals, groups, organisations or businesses who are interested in leasing, using, operating or purchasing assets owned by NWMCWC.

The original procedure was adopted in February 2025. It has now been updated to make the process clearer and easier to follow.

The main changes are:

  • the procedure now clearly separates charity-initiated EOIs and community-initiated EOIs;
  • EOIs will now be reviewed through scheduled Board meetings, rather than on an ad-hoc basis;
  • the process for community-initiated EOIs has been clarified, including initial Board screening;
  • the public notice stage has been clarified, including community feedback and the opportunity for competing EOIs where relevant;
  • the EOI form has been updated to request clearer information on the asset, location, access, financial arrangements, environmental considerations, experience, conflicts of interest and previous involvement with NWMCWC;
  • the wording now reflects that EOIs may relate to leasing, using or purchasing community assets.

The updated documents also make clear that approval of an EOI does not create a lease, licence, sale agreement or any other legal right to use or purchase an asset. Any agreement will only be confirmed once it has been approved by the Board and completed by both parties.

The updated procedure and EOI form are now available on the NWMCWC website here: Minutes & Documents – NWMCWC, or for download below.

Expression of Interest (EOI) in Community Asset Form v2Download
Procedure for Handling EOIs v2Download

NWMCWC also intends to make the EOI form available as an online form in future, to make the process more user-friendly and easier to complete.

Anyone considering submitting an EOI should read the procedure and Asset Use Principles before completing the form.

For any questions, please contact admin@nwmullwoodland.co.uk.

Welcome to the Team – Katie

We’re delighted to welcome Katie Endrödi to North West Mull Community Woodland Company as our new part-time Administrator.

Katie joined the team in March and supports the day-to-day running of the charity, helping to keep things organised behind the scenes — from managing emails and enquiries to supporting projects and maintaining records. She is now also managing the main admin mailbox, invoices and bill payments, so you may start to see her name coming up in correspondence.

Based on Mull, Katie brings a strong background in customer service and organisation, along with a genuine connection to the island and community.

We are really pleased to have Katie on board and supporting the charity’s work!

Ulva Church Concept Study Complete

The Charity is really pleased to share that the Concept Study for Ulva Church is now complete.

This work was funded through The Argyll and the Islands Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Fund — provided by the Scottish Government’s CLLD programme — and delivered by New Practice, and marks an important step forward in bringing the building back into use.

The study sets out a clear and realistic direction for the church — as a simple, flexible space for the community, with the potential to host occasional events that could help support its long-term upkeep. It builds directly on the conversations held with residents and the wider Mull community, and we hope people feel that their perspectives and wishes have been respectfully reflected in the proposal.

This forms part of a wider three-year plan to restore Ulva Church. With this stage now complete, we’ve already started taking the next steps to keep momentum going — progressing funding applications and preparing for the detailed technical work needed to move the project forward.

The church is in need of urgent repairs, particularly to the roof, to prevent further deterioration, and has been closed to public for safety reason. This won’t be a quick fix — the costs will be significant, and we’ll need to secure the right support and funding to do it properly — but we now have a clear foundation to build from. You can read more about the church and how to support its restoration here.

At the moment, Ulva has no indoor public space, so this project has the potential to make a real difference for residents, as well as improving facilities for visitors.

Read the full study by clicking the link below:

Ulva Church Concept Study

Thanks again to the CLLD Fund for supporting this stage of the project!

Public Notice: Ulva’s Larder Commercial Kitchen

North West Mull Community Woodland Company has recently received an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the use of a section of the hardstanding above The Boathouse (Ulva) for the establishment of a modular commercial kitchen, to be operated as a charcuterie and cheese production business by Ulva residents.

About the Proposal

The proposal involves the installation of a small, modular building to be used as a commercial food production facility, supporting the creation and sale of locally produced charcuterie and cheese products.

Proposed use:
Commercial kitchen supporting a resident-led food production business.

Community benefit:

  • Creation of a new island-based business and contribution to Ulva’s local economy
  • Potential for self-employment and future employment opportunities
  • Strengthening Ulva’s identity and reputation through locally produced food products
  • Supporting sustainable economic development aligned with the charity’s long-term objectives

Investment in the asset:
The applicants would be responsible for financing and installing the modular building and arranging all required service connections and regulatory approvals.

Agreement in Principle and Context

This Expression of Interest was received earlier this year. The applicants were working to a tight external grant funding deadline, and in order to support their funding application, the charity issued an agreement in principle confirming its willingness, as landowner, to permit the project to proceed, subject to securing funding, planning permissions, and all required statutory consents.

This agreement in principle was not a formal lease or legal consent, but confirmation of the charity’s support for the proposal in principle, enabling the applicants to progress their funding application.

The applicants have since received confirmation that their grant application has been successful. Based on their current programme, delivery of the modular kitchen unit is expected within the next 10–12 weeks, subject to planning and regulatory approvals being secured.

The Board took this decision recognising both the time-sensitive nature of funding opportunities and the significant potential benefits of supporting new resident-led economic activity on Ulva. As an organisation that relies heavily on external funding to deliver its own projects, the charity understands the importance of meeting grant deadlines and considers it appropriate to support island residents in similar circumstances.

Purpose of this Public Notice

This notice is being issued to ensure transparency and to inform the community of the agreement in principle that has been granted to support this proposal.

At this stage, the charity welcomes feedback and suggestions that may help strengthen the project, improve its sustainability, or support its positive integration within the island and its community. This feedback will be taken into consideration as the project progresses through planning, regulatory approvals, and formal lease arrangements.

The agreement in principle reflects the charity’s support for the proposal, recognising its potential community and economic benefits, while ensuring that appropriate processes and approvals continue to be followed.

All necessary planning permissions, regulatory approvals, and formal lease arrangements will still be required before the project can proceed.

Provide feedback

You are welcome to share your views on the proposal, including any suggestions that could help enhance its community benefit, environmental sustainability, or long-term viability.

Submit your own EOI

EOIs may be submitted at any time. If you have a proposal for using one of the charity’s properties, assets or land, you are welcome to get in touch.

Your EOI must address:

  • What the asset will be used for
  • How it will benefit the community
  • How it aligns with NWMCWC’s mission and values
  • Any relevant experience
  • Environmental or cultural considerations, if applicable

Key details

  • Deadline for EOIs and feedback: 5pm on 19th March 2026
  • How to submit: Send your feedback to admin@nwmullwoodland.co.uk or post it to North West Mull Community Woodland Company, Penmore Mill, Dervaig, Isle of Mull, PA75 6QS.

Decision making process

The agreement in principle confirms the charity’s support for the proposal at a strategic level, enabling the applicants to progress their funding and business development.

Any formal lease or permission will remain subject to statutory approvals, formal agreements, and consideration of community feedback. The charity will continue to work with the applicants to ensure the project is delivered in a way that aligns with the charity’s objectives and benefits Ulva and its community over the long term.

Community feedback received through this notice will help inform that process.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Alicja Newbrook at alicja@nwmullwoodland.co.uk.