A COMMUNITY group’s bid to buy an area of land and transform it into a “multi-generational community hub” has been turned down by East Lothian Council.

North Berwick Community Development Company, which has more than 1,200 members, wants to buy a 1.3-hectare site off the town’s Lime Grove.

The site, which was previously home to a council depot, is owned by the local authority.

A sub-group of North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership (NBCAP) was formed three years ago with a view to carrying out a community asset transfer.

Last Friday, their bid was turned down by the council, which felt there was “insufficient evidence” that the move would “promote or improve economic development, regeneration, public health, social wellbeing or environmental wellbeing”.

A five-page document posed questions about the project’s funding, adding: “There are significant costs attributable to the proposal (an estimated £7.25 million for acquisition and build costs alone).

“Whilst the business plan is well-structured, East Lothian Council are of the view that there is insufficient evidence that the significant initial, short-term and long-term funding sources can be properly secured to deliver the proposal.”

A council spokeswoman said: “The asset transfer request was considered under the agreed process for community asset transfers.

“Under the terms of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act, it was considered that there was insufficient evidence presented that this request would result in community improvements as suggested, nor did the evidence provided concerning possible funding sources for the project.

Full details of the decision have been provided to North Berwick Development Company, who have the right to apply to the council to review the decision.”

Last month, Lime Grove Asset Transfer Group, the NBCAP sub-group, unanimously agreed to appeal the decision if the request was refused. The group was due to meet yesterday (Wednesday), with a view to deciding the next step.

Members are also seeking advice from the Community Ownership Support Service, a Scottish Government-funded programme set up to help groups take on land or building assets for their community.

Lesley Kay, chairwoman of Lime Grove Asset Transfer Group and a director of North Berwick Community Development Company, said: “We are obviously disappointed by this decision.

“A great deal of work and community engagement was done to prepare for the community asset transfer request. We will continue with our mission to create a space where people can come together to meet their needs and aspirations.”

The group wants the site, which has lain vacant for more than five years, transformed into a community hub which could host a youth space, a multi-purpose room for theatre and cinema, a cafe, a soft play area and a hostel. Judy Lockhart, chairwoman of the town’s community council, said they would discuss the matter at their next meeting.

Ward councillor Jeremy Findlay was hopeful the group would try again to satisfy the criteria of the council. He said: “I think the basic concept is good. I just don’t think the long-term planning was sufficiently robust.”