Councillors give go ahead for community asset transfers in Lossiemouth and Portknockie

TWO community asset transfers have been approved by councillors.

Marine Park in Lossiemouth, and the bowling green and tennis courts in Portknockie were given the thumbs up by Moray Council’s Policy and Resources committee to transfer ownership to community bodies.

Action Marine Park submitted their asset transfer request in May, and has plans to develop a fully-accessible pavilion with toilets, putting green, sensory garden and children’s play area.

The group received the backing of local residents and organisations including Tennis Scotland and Lossiemouth Business Association in their efforts to bring Marine Park back into beneficial use for the community.

In June, Portknockie Bowling and Tennis Club submitted their asset transfer request, with the aim of developing and upgrading the facilities to increase participation in bowling, tennis and other indoor and outdoor sports.

In their request, the club outlined “many opportunities for the community to benefit”, including “improving social wellbeing whilst providing a healthier lifestyle” for the high proportion of retired local residents.

It’s also received backing from many residents, local organisations and charities including Portknockie Community Association, Portknockie Church of Scotland and youth club organisers.

Chair of Moray Council’s Policy and Resources Committee, Cllr Aaron McLean, said the level of interest in community asset transfers was heartening.

“It’s great to see communities becoming more empowered and gearing up for the challenge of breathing new life into their much-valued local green spaces and properties,” he said.

“Not only does this take away pressure from the council in the tough financial climate we’re in, these proposals support our aim of creating more resilient and sustainable communities.

“Importantly, it also opens up potential new funding streams to refurbish existing assets or inspire new projects.”

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.