Community takes over former Stonehaven court

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 has been used to achieve the transfer of the former Stonehaven Sheriff Court building to a local charity.

One of 10 local sheriff courts to close under the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service (SCTS) rationalisation plan, the building last saw judicial business in May 2014 and has since been on the market.

The 2015 Act extended the rights of local communities to acquire land in their area provided certain conditions were met. The Stonehaven Town Partnership has now put forward a financial case and plans to benefit the community.

SCTS agreed to transfer the building for a nominal £1 on condition that the Partnership met the estimated £150,000 refurbishment costs.