- The B-listed St Oswald’s Church and Hall in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, passed into community ownership
- The building had been empty since February 2018
- The transfer used Scotland’s Community Empowerment Act 2015
- The Scottish Land Fund helped pay for the purchase
St Oswald’s Church and Hall on Montpelier Park in Edinburgh’s Bruntsfield district passed into community ownership on March 31, 2021, the City of Edinburgh Council announced on April 8, 2021.
The B-listed building had stood empty since February 2018. Its transfer was made possible by Scotland’s Community Empowerment Act 2015, which gives community bodies a legal route to take over land and buildings, and the purchase was supported by the Scottish Land Fund. Refurbishment was planned, with the building expected to open to the public in 2022.
“We are delighted to have brought St. Oswald’s into community ownership and would like to thank all our members and supporters,” said David Urch, chair of the community group. Councillor Rob Munn said: “As we start to move out of lockdown, it’s really encouraging to see fantastic projects like this going ahead.”
The council said it was one of four community asset transfers completed around that time in Edinburgh.
Scotland has given communities legal tools and funding to take over buildings that would otherwise sit empty or be sold to the highest bidder. Jamaica’s rules are different, but the idea could work here: a former church or church hall passing to a community trust or citizens’ association for use as a centre, library or training space. For churches with buildings they can no longer use, a sale or long lease to a community group can keep the building in service and protect the neighbourhood, especially if the price and terms reflect its public value.
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