Group’s Lease Dream Fails to Win Support from Councillors
A proposal for a ten-year land lease in Lockerbie was rejected by local councillors due to community concerns and sustainability issues
Lockerbie, Scotland, RH Youth Organisation, Community Complex, Common Good Fund
Lockerbie: A proposal to lease land behind the Ice Rink for ten years didn’t get the backing it needed from the councillors. The RH Youth Organisation wanted to lease the site for just £1 to create a community complex.
They were hoping to eventually take over the former caravan site completely. But the Lockerbie and Lochmaben Common Good Fund Committee decided against it this week.
They were worried that giving the land to the RH Youth group would hurt the wider community. Councillor Gail Macgregor voiced her concerns about whether the group could actually deliver on their plans.
She mentioned that the land is important for future generations and should remain available for everyone in Lockerbie. While she acknowledged the good work the group does, she felt they didn’t need the land to keep going.
Other councillors, like Lynne Davis and Carolyne Wilson, shared similar worries. They pointed out that the organisation could still function without needing to take over the land.
There were also concerns about the group’s reliance on grant funding, which isn’t always guaranteed. An advisor at the meeting noted that a long lease could limit their funding options.
On the flip side, Councillor Stephen Thompson was sympathetic to the group’s goals. He recognized they met all the official requirements for an asset transfer but was worried about losing income for the common good fund if the land was handed over.
He reminded everyone that the current income from the land helps other groups in Lockerbie. The committee’s decision will be reviewed by the council’s Environment and Infrastructure Committee next month.