New Pitsligo public toilets to reopen under community asset transfer scheme
Public toilets in New Pitsligo which have lain unused for nine years are to be given a new lease of life after a successful community asset transfer bid.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee today (Tues, Sept 16) approved the transfer of the Market Place toilets to the New Pitsligo Village Projects charity for a nominal sum of £1.
Through the community asset transfer process, the dedicated group will now take ownership of the building and bring it back into community use after they were declared surplus to council requirements.
New Pitsligo Village Projects set out its ambitious plans to refurbish and reopen the toilets in a strong business plan unanimously supported by local councillors, ensuring a vital public facility will once again be available to residents, visitors and those passing through the village.
Situated close to the village playpark, school, library and main street, the group says the toilets will provide wide-reaching benefits, not just to the 1,100 local residents but also to the many visitors who pass through New Pitsligo each year.
With the asset transfer now approved, work will soon begin to bring the long-closed toilets back into operation, transforming a disused building into a valuable community facility once again. The charity also plans to improve the surrounding area by tidying shrubs, repairing walls and creating a seating space for the community to enjoy.
Chair of the Buchan Area Committee, Cllr Dianne Beagrie, welcomed the decision, saying: “This is a great example of a community stepping forward with energy and vision to take responsibility for an unused building and turn it into a real asset for local people and visitors alike. The reopening of these toilets will provide an important service and enhance the village for years to come.”
New Pitsligo Village Projects already has strong backing from the community, with a recent consultation survey and village meetings demonstrating 100% support for the reopening.
The charity’s wider aims for the village include the advancement of health, community development, arts, culture, sports and environmental improvements.
By reopening the toilets and improving the surrounding garden area, the group hopes to create a welcoming, sustainable and well-used space which benefits everyone – from families with young children to walking groups and visitors attending New Pitsligo’s well-known visual arts festival.
Jayne Wood, secretary for New Pitsligo Village Projects, said: “There is a real need for accessible toilets in our village. At present, there are no public toilets within an 18-mile radius which creates challenges for parents, older people, those with health needs and visitors. Reopening the toilet block is about more than just convenience, it’s about dignity, health and making New Pitsligo a place people want to stop, visit and spend time in. This project has already brought our community together and we’re excited to now move forward with the refurbishment.”
The group now plans to replace damaged doors and windows, improve accessibility and ensure the toilets can be maintained sustainably for future generations. Local businesses and community organisations have expressed strong support for the initiative, recognising the benefits for tourism, passing trade and community pride.