A ground-breaking community buyout of a private plot of land in Aberdeen has taken another step forward following a “landslide” ballot.
More than 2,300 registered voters living near Bonnymuir Bowling Green in Midstocket were asked if they think the site, which closed in 2014, should be bought out and renovated.
The Bonnymuir Green Community Trust is proposing that it is transformed into a market garden and cafe, saying it has become increasingly overgrown and is now “a shadow of its former self”.
Of the 1031 polled by the Electoral Reform Service, 96% were in favour of the trust’s plans.
A final decision now rests with Scottish ministers, who are expected to announce a ruling in the coming weeks.
If they approve the move, the group would become the first in northern Scotland – and second overall – to use the new community buy-out legislation which came into force in 2015.
A trust spokeswoman said: “The result is an incredible show of support from the community for the project and the protection of urban green spaces.
“This project is all about community and to have this level of support is just amazing and a clear mandate for the next stages of the Right to Buy process.
“The turnout was 43% of registered voters, which was higher than the last local elections, and fantastic considering we lost six days as ballot papers were delayed due to the severe weather.”
Proposals for a buy-out were first tabled in November, following a deadlock between the community and the site’s owners.
At the time the trust claimed it had made offers to purchase the land but had been “locked out” of discussions.
However the solicitor for the bowling green’s trustees said this was because they were already courting a buyer, but had been unable to disclose the fact due to commercial confidentiality.
The trust spokeswoman added: “The decision now lies with the Scottish ministers and we trust that the ballot, hand in hand with our detailed vision and strategy appraisal report, shows the clear commitment and capability of the community and the trust to transform Bonnymuir Green.”
