Former Maryburgh Primary School building set for new chapter as community hub after men's shed group deal struck
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A FORMER school building in Maryburgh is once again set to become a community hub after changing hands for just £1.
The former Maryburgh Primary School is being sold to the Maryburgh Men’s Shed group by Highland Council under community asset transfer legislation.
The group intends creating a hub which will tackle social isolation among the growing number of older members of the community.
It will house a workshop and meeting space, the latter leased to local groups to support running costs.
The loss of the school was a blow to the community when it was replaced with a new-build in neighbouring village Conon Bridge.
Chairman of Highland Council’s communities and place committee, Allan Henderson, said such asset transfers contributed to the local authority’s key strategic priority of community-led and run services involving more people in local decision-making.
The property, surplus to council requirements, was put up for sale on the open market and attracted the interest of the group as a potential community asset transfer. It was decided community benefit from the proposed use outweighs the potential capital gain of a sale.
The transfer is expected to be made available in the coming month on conclusion of the former school grounds being used as a compound by Highland Council for housing construction on the site.
Community Asset Transfer requests can be made under the Community Empowerment Act and the sale of the former Maryburgh Primary School was approved today by Highland Councillors subject to terms of transfer.
Details on community asset transfers in Highland and how to apply for them can be found on the council’s website at: www.highland.gov.uk/cat or please email cat@highland.gov.uk
