The first step towards a community buyout of land in Helensburgh has been approved by Scottish Ministers.
Helensburgh Community Woodland Group’s application to register a community interest in land at Cumberland Avenue (pictured) means in effect that the landowners cannot sell it to anyone else.
The site has a controversial history, with enforcement orders being served by Argyll and Bute Council after trees were felled.
This is only the second such decision since the ‘Community Right to Buy’ provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 were extended to urban areas in April.
Landowners Margery Osborne and Thomas Paterson argued against the move by solicitors Morton Fraser and still have the option to appeal in court, but the decision letter states: “Scottish Ministers believe that, if successfully delivered, HCWG’s proposals could contribute positively to the sustainable development of the land and the local community of Helensburgh.”
David Adams, convener of the community group, said: “I’m delighted that our application to register a community interest in the land at Cumberland Avenue has been approved by the Scottish Government.
As the next stage in our campaign to bring the land at into community ownership, we will soon be holding a public consultation event to enable the local community draw up detailed plans for the future of the site.”
HCWG expects to hear the outcome of the related application at Castle Woods, Helensburgh around Christmas.
The full decision letter is here: scottish-ministers-decision-cumberland-avenue
Leave a Reply