16/7/2009Isle of Cumbrae gets new neighbours: Little Cumbrae sold to Glasgow magnate
Little Cumbrae. Photo by Alan C.
Glasgow care home magnate Sam Poddar and his wife Sunita are the new owners of Little Cumbrae - for the bargain price of £2million, the Evening Times' Caroline Wilson writes.
It is thought the couple paid at least £1m less than the asking price of £3m for the 700-acre isle, which has been on the market since 2005.
The price included a nine-bedroom Victorian mansion, four cottages and a 250-year-old lighthouse.
The couple, who own care home chain Lambhill Court Ltd, said they would consult with the local community about plans for the island.
Their daughter Arti, 25, who helps run the business, said: "We thought it would be an incredible opportunity to buy a place so rich with history and beauty.
"We have no commercial plans at the moment but we're thinking of how we can open it up to visitors in a safe way."
The Poddars bought it from Worcester developer Steve Worrallo who has owned it since 2002 and had planned to turn it into a millionaire's playground.
In 2006 offers from three rivals were turned down.
- Leave the wee Cumbrae as it is, people do not need to go there, it should be used as a nature reserve. When people are allowed on it, it will spoil the island.
- I think the general public should be allowed to visit it - I've always wanted a look at the lighthouse, and I'd guess I'm not alone there! Surely there would be a way of allowing people to enjoy visiting the island without spoiling it?
- I agree with Jen. I am so happy someone has now taken ownership to maintain the island. I look forward to the day I can go and visit Cumbrae and see the lighthouse. It is a beautiful island.
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You can't stop people visitng/camping etc anyway as long as it's done in a way that doesn't damage the environment - and this is easily possible with a bit of care.
The only thing that could be regulated (and therefore charged for) is use of landing facilities i.e. the jetty, but should you drop anchor and land on the beach for example there is nothing that can be done to stop you as long as you stay away from the house!
For some reason owners of the Wee Cumbrae have continually got away with creating the impression the island is totally private - this was dubious to start with but now with access laws as they stand it is completely wrong.
However in saying that it was nice that after paying a landing fee to the previous tenants areas like the lighthouse compound were left open to explore (although of course this could never be done officially anyway given health and safety these days).