This is a Petition to pledge your support for the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust Ltd to register an interest in a 'Community Buy Out' of Burntisland Harbour. By signing this Petition you support the registration of an interest.  This does not mean that the Community is obliged to go ahead with a buy-out it just gives us the option to do so in the event that Forth Ports decides to sell the land.

Background

For hundreds of years the residents of Burntisland along with visitors and residents of neighbouring communities have enjoyed free and unencumbered access to Burntisland Harbour.  An historically important Port for centuries it has been a focal point of culture, trade, industry, leisure and commerce for centuries.  Now under the ownership of the Forth Ports Limited, visitors to the Site continue to enjoy activities such as fishing from the breakwater and sailing from the docks, as well as walking, bird and wildlife spotting, and of course saying hello to our friendly resident seal, Sammy. 

Forth Ports is attempting to block off community access to Burntisland Harbour and we are fighting that proposal (see here: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/181717366777410/media 

However, we recognise that even if successful, because the land is privately owned and with the Harbour being excluded from 'right to roam' legislation, access to this significant Site will continue to be in jeopardy unless it comes under Community ownership.  So, we have set up a limited company, the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust, in order to register an interest in buying the land. 

This would prevent Forth Ports from selling it without notification.  Registering an interest doesn’t mean that the Community has to buy the land.  It just gives us first refusal to do so if Forth Ports decides to sell in the future. By signing this Petition you aren't committing to a buy-out, you are just making sure that we have the option to do so at a later date.  It is also important to flag up that discussions about what the land might be used for would be undertaken at a later date and with full Community consultation.  So, you will definitely get a chance to have your say if we ever do get to the stage where a sale is being considered.  This is just the first stage to show that the Community is supportive registering an interest in a possible buy out at a later stage.  You are not committing to doing so.

Some more of the legal stuff:

An eligible Community body can apply to register an interest by submitting an application and demonstrating community support. This is usually done by way of Petition (that's this!).  So if we are going to succeed it is vital that everyone signs this new Petition.  This is different from the other Petition objecting to the fence being erected.  So please do make sure that you sign both or your ‘vote’ won’t be counted. 

The application and any supporting material are reviewed by the Scottish Government. If it is deemed eligible, the Landowner is then provided with a copy of the application and a temporary prohibition on the sale/transfer of the land is imposed. The Application is added to the ‘Register of Community Interest in Land’ and lasts for five years.  After the 5 years it can be re-registered.

If the Landowner decides to sell the land the Buy-Out process is triggered.  The Community is notified, the land is valued, a Community Ballot is undertaken and provided that the proposal has the required amount of support, the land can be purchased.   This has to be concluded within 8 months, or longer if mutually agreed between the parties concerned.

A Company Limited by Guarantee has been set up as the ‘eligible community body’.  The main reason for a charity or community project to be set up in this way is to protect those who are running it from personal liability for the debts of the company. The liability of the Members is limited to a maximum of £1. If you are a resident of Burntisland you can become a Member (which then entitles you to a vote on the ballot) by filling in a simple application form (see below).

Next Steps – What we ALL need to do:
1.       Sign this Petition to indicate that you support the principle of a Community Buy-Out.

2.       Become a Member of Burntisland Harbour Access Trust Ltd:  Just complete the Application form (available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17rXiXOQ2qKv6piFiSkhgiod4C5e7tADc?usp=sharing ) and return to by email to BurntislandHAT@gmail.com or by post/person to Grain & Sustain, 135 High Street, Burntisland, Fife, KY3 9AA

3.       SHARE, SHARE, SHARE:  Talk to your family, friends and neighbours about this.  If you are on social media join the Save Burntisland Harbour Facebook and Instagram pages.  Encourage them to take these three easy steps. 

Photo credit:  Rob Barrie