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Community asset transfers

Council land and property could be an ideal resource to help local communities realise their plans and aspirations. We've developed a procedure to transfer assets to community organisations wishing to take them over for the benefit of their community.

Get in touch

The first step is to have a chat with us about your ideas. We'll explain more about the process and give you advice on submitting an application. Contact us to discuss your plans:

After discussion we would suggest that you express an interest in an asset transfer . This step is optional but it allows us to help you develop a strong application and iron out any issues before you put in the substantial effort needed to make a full asset transfer request .

You can also get in touch to tell us what you think of the community asset transfer information we provide online. We welcome your feedback on what you like or don't like about our content as well as any other suggestions for improving things.

Finding suitable assets

A Community Transfer Body  can request any council building or land you consider suitable for your goals.

The inclusion of a property or land in the register doesn't guarantee that an asset transfer request would be approved. There may also be exclusions on the transfer of assets held in Trust or Common Good too.

Help and support

We have ward officers in your local area who can offer you support and guidance throughout the process.

Visit the Scotland's Towns Partnership Funder-Finder page which provides a useful signpost to funders; some of these funders offer support to Community Asset Transfer bodies.

Community Ownership Fund

Community Transfer Bodies requesting Council assets at less than best consideration should be aware that the Council will not normally offer further financial support or make major improvements to an asset prior to transfer.

Groups should consider their sources of funding for both capital and revenue costs. It is advised that discussions with potential funders take place at an early stage of the CAT application, and this should be in progress or in place around the time when the application is considered. Some sources of funding can be found in the Funding and Grants section of this website; in addition Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway will advise groups around funding.

The Scottish Government has published guidance on community asset transfers , including an easy read summary, and a range of local and national organisations can also help:

Scottish Land Fund - This link is 'How to apply' and provides the advice number, email and the guidance notes for interested groups to read and discuss with their members. Following this the next step would be to contact the Scottish Land Fund to refer to the programme.

Requests/applications we've received

We publish details of the community asset transfer requests that we receive:

Further information on the community asset transfer applications we've received will be included in a report that is published each year and sets out:

  • how many asset transfer requests were received
  • how many requests were agreed or refused
  • whether agreed requests resulted in transfer of ownership, lease or conferral of other rights
  • how many appeals have been allowed, dismissed or resulted in a decision being reversed or changed
  • how many reviewed decisions have been confirmed, modified or substituted by a different decision
  • what we've done to promote the use of asset transfer requests and support community transfer bodies to make requests.

Have your say

If you would like to comment on any of the applications listed, please respond to the Notice of Request via communityassettransfer@dumgal.gov.uk

Anyone making representation on a Community Asset transfer application, Stage 1 or Stage 2, you should be aware of the following:

  • Dumfries and Galloway Council wants to allow people a say on potential Community Asset Transfers at any time during the process.
  • People can make representation at any stage during an application. However, those making representation should be aware that they may be commenting at the early stage of the process.
  • Applicants will generally only have carried out full community engagement and developed their business plans at a Stage 2 application.
  • When a Stage 2 is validated, these plans will be posted on the Community Asset Transfer website.
  • If you are commenting on a Stage 1 application, you should be aware that you are just commenting on the general idea as there has often been little engagement and there is no detailed business plan yet in place.

Notices of Request

Icon for word CAT Notice of Request - Land Glasgow Road Lockerbie 2024 [DOCX - 24KB]

Annual Reports and Documents

Decision Notices

Previous Community Asset Transfers

For a full list of previous transfers, visit the Community asset transfer requests received page.

View some examples of successful Community Asset Transfers below;

Lochside Enterprise Workshops Dumfries

Former Lochside Library

Glenluce North Street Carpark

Glenluce Woodside Industrial Estate

Old School, Dryfe Road, Lockerbie

1 Cresswell Gardens

Closeburn

Langholm

Lockerbie

Whithorn

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Page last updated: 21/08/2024
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