FAQs

Common Good is land that originally belonged to Scotland’s former burghs and was passed down through local government changes over time. It can include land, buildings, parks, artwork, furniture, or even money. These assets are now owned by the local authority but must be managed for the benefit of the people of the former burgh area.

Part 8 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 requires councils to keep a register of Common Good assets and consult the community before selling or changing the use of any Common Good land or asset. 

Councils must publish details of the proposal and ask for views before any decision is made. Consultations run for a minimum of 8 weeks, giving community councils, community bodies and the public the chance to comment.

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed Eastside Discount Centre Limited as the preferred bidder for the site following an extensive marketing and selection exercise.

The consultation only relates to the common good element (ie the land coloured blue on the attached plan) as part of the proposed sale of the former Bridge Street Community Centre and adjacent land.

The marketing of the land and building commenced on 18 September 2025, with a closing date on 26 November 2025.  The outcome of the bid process was considered by the Banff and Buchan Area Committee on 27 January 2026, with Eastside Discount Centre Limited approved as the preferred bidder.  The consultation is not seeking views on alternative bidders.

No, the sale will be subject to the outcome of the public consultation, court approval by means of granting of a Common Good order, and finalised legal terms with Eastside Discount Centre Limited.

The money from the sale will be shared between the Common Good fund and Aberdeenshire Council’s General Fund Account.   

The split will be 32.6% to the Common Good fund and 67.4% to the Council, based on the value of the land and the building.

The final sale price is a six-figure sum but due to commercial confidentiality cannot be disclosed.  

The sale proceeds that relates to the Common Good will be shared equally between the Banff and Macduff Common Good funds. Aberdeenshire Council will hold this money to benefit people in both towns, and it may help support future community projects. The fund is managed by the Banff & Buchan Area Committee.

The sale will bring forward community and economic benefits through redevelopment of a vacant and derelict town centre site, as detailed on the plan.  

The complexities of the land being ‘Common Good’ mean there is a lengthy legal process to be undertaken which adds to the timescale:

• This consultation and a final decision whether to proceed or not takes at least 3-4 months. The outcome of the consultation will be reported to the Banff and Buchan area committee where a final decision to sell the site will be taken.  
• If supported, Aberdeenshire Council then must seek consent from the court, the overall time involved cannot be predicted with any certainty.  
• Should the sale conclude and Eastside Discount Centre Limited wish to repurpose the use of the site then they would need to apply for and obtain planning permission and any other relevant consents.  

The Council will consider all the consultation feedback then take a decision having regard to the outcomes of this consultation to Banff & Buchan Area committee on the 16 June 2026 and depending on the representations received the possible outcomes are:- 

• The proposal goes ahead subject to consent by the Court for the disposal by way of sale. If after this consultation, the proposal progresses to a court application the public will have a further opportunity to make representations within that process.   

• The proposal does not go ahead. 

The Council’s final response and all feedback will be published on the Aberdeenshire Council website (https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/common-good-land-at-lower-deveronside) along with details of all original representations to this consultation (excluding postcode of respondent).