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Comhairle could take over surplus MoD land in Benbecula

News imageGetty Images A UK military helicopter in flight. It has battleship grey camouflage.Getty Images
The site has been used in the lead up to Nato exercises

Almost seven acres (3ha) of former Ministry of Defence (MoD) land in Benbecula could be taken into local authority control.

The land at West Camp, Balivanich, had been part of a rockets testing facility.

A report to councillors said activity on the land was "relatively low" and it was now mostly used in the lead up to a biennial Nato exercise called Formidable Shield.

Local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been offered £500,000 UK government funding to buy the land.

Should the purchase go ahead, consultants would likely be commissioned to develop a plan for the site's future use.

The report said it could potentially be put to educational and recreational uses.

A story by local democracy reporter Peter Urpeth.