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No u-turn over St Kilda row                                    13/11/09

The controversy over the preferred location for a St Kilda visitor centre looks set to continue after the selection panel refused to execute an u-turn.

The bitter row blew up when it emerged that important criteria were changed after three Hebridean districts lodged bids to host the high profile facility.

To the fury of its rivals, Mangertsa in Uig, Lewis was proclaimed the choice of Jura Consultants who were hired to advise the selection panel.

Angry teams promoting two other potential sites - Cleitreval in North

Uist and Leverburgh in South Harris are demanding a fresh start to the process.

But the multi-agency panel has stuck to its guns. On Thursday evening, Jura Consultants presented the panel with a defence of its choice in the face of the furious complaints.

The three location groups are due to be sent a letter tonight (Fri) saying the panel were backing the consultants.

Though they suspected there would be no backtracking by the panel the losing groups plan to hold meetings next week to discuss the outcome and examine  Jura Consultants’ explanation.

They are not keen to comment until then.

Panel chairman Angus McCormack is due to give a statement later.