Community Right to Buy – next steps
A postal ballot of the whole community will shortly take place to establish the level of community support for BDCT’s purchase of this land on behalf of the community. If there is sufficient support, the Trust will be required to pay the owners of this ground a price to be determined by an independent valuer, appointed by Scottish Ministers.
The Scottish Land Fund has awarded BDCT a grant of £8000 to prepare a business plan for the community’s development of the area for recreation and an orchard, and a feasibility study for the restoration of the doocot. These plans will be used in a further submission to the SLF for funding to purchase the plot if the Community Right to Buy is given the go-ahead by Scottish Ministers.
Clearly BDCT cannot apply for funds for other aspects of the project until the land is acquired. However, preliminary research has indicated that both BDCT as a body and elements of the project would be eligible for funding from Fife Environment Trust and the St Andrews Community Trust.