Border Money News

Plans have been submitted to turn a remote farm in the Scottish Borders into a falconry breeding and training centre for the Qatar royal family.

Businessman Sheikh Ali Bin Abdulla Althani wants to make the 48-acre farm near the village of Bonchester Bridge, Roxburghshire, into a bird of prey centre.

He plans to breed falcons and sell them in the Middle East where they are extremely popular.

But he is also planning for wealthy guests, including members of the Qatar royal family, to visit the converted Weensmuir Farm to inspect the birds in training and make their purchases.

His lavish plans will see the main farmhouse extended and the stables and other outbuildings converted for accommodation.

The Sheikh's plans will also see several pens built to house the falcons, as well as new access tracks and the formation of a lake.

In a supporting statement in his application for planning permission to Scottish Borders Council, the Sheikh stated:

"The business will depend upon custom from visiting high-net individuals, many of whom are members of the Royal Family or considered dignitaries. As such the business needs to offer a high quality, purpose built facility.

"In addition the majority of the visiting customers expect to travel with a considerable entourage of between 12 and 15 people. It is expected that these persons will be accommodated alongside the visiting customers."

Architect James Murdie from Alnwick, Northumberland, who submitted the plans on the Sheikh's behalf, said:

"The Sheikh is friendly with someone who does a bit of breeding on a supporting farm so he has decided to breed falcons which will supply dignitaries in the Middle East.

"He anticipates a lot of people coming from the Middle East to look at the falcons in training so he needs to provide the accommodation for some very wealthy businessmen."

If the full planning application is successful the business will support two full-time jobs and three part-time positions.

A decision from Scottish Borders Council on the plans is expected within the next two months.

• UK
• Money
• Scottish Borders

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today written to Education Ministers Michael Gove and David Laws urging them to come to Cumbria to meet with teachers, parents and staff about the plans to change the funding formula for schools.

Some schools could potentially lose up to 31%, while some could gain 25%. There will be a two-year transition period during which no school’s budget could decrease by more than 1.5 %. The full effect will not be felt until 2015/16.

Mr Farron is arranging meetings with affected head teachers.

He is also calling together all the county’s MP’s and County Council leader Eddie Martin to a high level summit to form a plan to overcome the potential funding crisis.

The consultation into the plans runs until October 19.

Tim said:

“I have been contacted by teachers and parents who are very worried about these plans. I share their concerns and I am doing everything I possibly can on this. Our community campaign can and must win – our schools need us to win this fight.

“I am urging Mr Gove and Mr Laws to visit us in Cumbria to meet teachers, staff and parents and hear their concerns. I am utterly determined that we will fix this crisis, our community here has a wonderful track record of pulling together and winning campaigns for our area, I know that working together we will save our schools.”

• UK
• Cumbria
• Schools

• UK
• Cumbria
• Schools

Some schools could face significant financial challenges because of changes to the way funding is allocated, according to the leader of Cumbria County Council Eddie Martin. The changes are the result of a Government shake up.

Speaking to ITV Border he said it is more expensive to provide services in a rural community and hopes the government will fund these communities more generously in the future.

• UK
• Cumbria
• Schools

Police in Carlisle have released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to regarding some counterfeit currency.

At around 11:45 am on Wednesday 22nd August counterfeit currency was presented at a newsagent in The Market, Carlisle.

Police would like trace the man wearing a grey coat, who had short dark hair, who is seen approaching the counter at The Paper Shop newsagent, as shown in the footage.

Police are asking anyone who recognises this person, to contact Carlisle Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

• UK
• money
• counterfeit

The announcement that Pirelli is going to invest over twenty million pounds in its plant in Carlisle has been warmly welcomed by civic and business leaders in the city.

The world famous tyre manufacturer from Milan made the commitment after winning two million pounds from the Government's regional growth fund. Andy Burn sent this report.

• UK
• money
• Pirelli