Community asset transfers approved for Lochcarron and Dunbeath
Two Highland communities are to benefit from the decisions of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee today (23 February 2022) as community asset transfers have been approved for the Lochcarron and Dunbeath areas.
Councillors agreed to the sale of the Lochcarron Playgroup Cabin for £1,000 to Lochcarron Leisure Centre subject to a statutory consultation with Council housing tenants in Lochcarron regarding the land upon which the cabin is located.
Lochcarron Leisure Centre propose to convert the portacabin beside the playing field to provide an indoor fitness centre for all members of the community to use.
The sale of land south west of Neil Gunn Place, Dunbeath for £1, to Dunbeath and District Centre was also approved by Councillors. The intention of this community asset transfer is to assist in the development of a new health and wellbeing centre for Dunbeath on land located next to the current centre provision and Health Centre.
Currently with 285 registered users providing a range of health and wellbeing activities, the existing building has limited space. The community’s aim is to expand and enable more groups and multiple services to operate at any one time supporting the centre’s sustainability and access to facilities for a greater number of individuals.
Chair of the Communities and Place Committee Cllr Allan Henderson said: “These 2 successful community asset transfer requests are great news for our communities in Wester Ross and Caithness. I am confident that these two ambitious applications will contribute greatly to the Council’s key strategic priorities which aims to encourage community-led and run services involving more people in local decision making.”
Community Asset Transfer requests can be made under the Community Empowerment Act and the two applications approved by Highland Councillors are subject to terms of transfer.
Details on community asset transfers in Highland and how to apply for them can be found on the council’s website at: www.highland.gov.uk/cat or please email cat@highland.gov.uk