Community Consulation - Townhouse
East Ayrshire Council
Application for Disposal of Common Good Property
PURPOSE OF
- The purpose of this consultation is to ascertain public views on the proposal submitted by Newmilns Regeneration Association purchase the Newmilns Townhouse through Community Asset Transfer Process.
BACKGROUND
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT ACT PART 8
2. The application for disposal of this property has to meet criteria set out in Part 8 of the Community Empowerment Act as the Newmilns Townhouse falls onto the Common Good register. Common Good is a type of property that local authorities may have, which has been passed down by former burgh councils. It often has strong historical and emotional value to local communities, as well as its practical use and financial value. The Act places a statutory duty on local authorities to publish their proposals and consult community bodies before disposing of or changing the use of common good assets.
NEWMILNS TOWNHOUSE
3. The Newmilns Townhouse is located at 48-50 Main Street, Newmilns. The Townhouses core structure is indicated as being erected in around 1547 given the inscription on the town bell. Originally the building serves as a Tolbooth with the upper floor housing Council Chambers.
NEWMILNS REGENERATION ASSOCIATION
4. Constituted in 2014, Newmilns Regeneration Association (NRA) is an East Ayrshire based charity. The NRA works with residents, businesses, and groups of Newmilns and Greenholm, to work towards the second Newmilns and Greenholm Community Action Plan.
The organisation's main purposes are:
- To promote the prevention or relief of poverty for the benefit of Newmilns and Greenholm
- Promote and work towards the advancement of citizenship or community development for the benefit of Newmilns and Greenholm
- To advance arts, heritage and culture
- Promote the provision of recreational facilities and organise recreational activities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended.
The charity have, to date, completed a wide range of projects aimed at benefitting the community of Newmilns including; establishing the Newmilns Lottery; refurbishing the former Post Office building; establishing the Newmilns Food Festival. Futher information on the charities projects can be found at https://www.lovenewmilns.org/
PROJECT
6. The organisation seek to purchase the Townhouse to undertake works to refurbish the exterior and interior to a usable state. The proposed project will ensure techniques and materials are used which will be sympathetic to the Townhouse’s current historical aesthetic. On completion the organisation will look to encourage use of the building which reflects the NRAs previously stated charitable purposes.
SUMMARY
7. Newmilns Regeneration Association have worked extremely hard to pursue community ownership of this site. This proposal seeks to purchase the facility, which will allow the organisation to attain the funding required for the project listed above.
REPRESENTATION
8. You can make representation on this proposal by emailing CAT@east-ayrshire.gov.uk or by writing to:
Community Asset Transfer
Vibrant Communities
175-177 Western Road
Kilmarnock
KA3 1LL
In accordance with Act 8 of the Community Empowerment Act the consultation will last for a period of 8 weeks from 12th August 2024 – 7th October 2024. All representations will be published along with a final response to the representation.
The representation will then form part of the information provided to the Sheriff Court in considering the extension of this lease. Anyone who has made a representation through the process will be notified of the outcome of the project.
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