260826 CAT Sub - Calderglen Football Pitch
Renfrewshire Council · 26 August 2026
Back to Community Asset Transfer Sub-committee — 26 August 2026 and its agenda
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2 PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Infrastructure, Land & Environment Policy Board Community Asset Transfer Subcommittee On: 26 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Community Asset Transfer Request – Calderglen Football Pitch and Changing Facility, Lochwinnoch Park ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The purpose of this report is to consider granting a long-term lease of the Calderglen Football pitch and site of the new changing facility within Lochwinnoch Park to Calderglen Community SCIO under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (the Act). ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. It is recommended that the CAT Subcommittee:- (i) Consider the Community Asset Transfer request attached (ii) Approve the lease of the asset to Calderglen Community SCIO for 75 years at the discounted rent of £1.00 per annum subject to the conditions set out at section 10 of this report; and (iii) Authorise the Head of Economy and Development and the Head of Corporate Governance to conclude the lease of the asset in accordance with the Act and on such terms as required to protect the Council’s interest. ___________________________________________________________________
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3 PUBLIC 3. Background 3.1. This CAT request is resubmitted by Calderglen Community SCIO following withdrawal of their request previously approved on 24 August 2024. 3.2. The original request from Calderglen Community SCIO was for ownership of the asset and a larger area of the park. 3.3. An administrative error in the publication of the original asset transfer request a led to the application being republished in June 2025 with a new period allowed for representations. 3.4. The request was withdrawn following a significant number of representations opposed to the asset transfer request. 3.5. This resubmitted request is for the lease of one football pitch and a small area of land associated with the new changing facility only and represents a reduction in the amount of land requested. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Consideration 4.1. Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 provides the right for community bodies to request outright ownership, short or long term lease or other rights over any land or property owned or leased by the Council. 4.2. In taking a decision on a community asset transfer request, the Council must decide whether to agree to or refuse an asset transfer request. 4.3. Section 82 of the Act requires relevant authorities in deciding whether to approve or refuse an asset transfer request to ,consider the reasons for the request and the information provided and in support of the request; and compare the benefits of the community transfer body‘s proposals with the benefits that might arise from any alternative proposal. Consideration must also be given to whether or not the asset transfer request represents ‘Best Value’ through demonstration of the seven best value principles (see 8.5/6) 4.4. In assessing the benefits of the request, the Council must consider whether agreeing to the request will promote or improve: • economic development • regeneration • public health • social wellbeing • environmental wellbeing; or
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4 PUBLIC • reduce inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic disadvantage any other benefits that might arise 4.5. The Council must make the decision in a manner which encourages equal opportunities and consider how the benefits proposed relate to other matters it considers relevant, including: - • the functions and purposes of the authority; and • any obligations that may affect its ability to agree to the request. 4.6. Under Section 82 sub-section 5 of the Act, the authority must agree to the request unless there are reasonable grounds for refusing it. Reasons for the Council’s decision are to be given to the applicant. 4.7. The CAT Officer Panel met to consider this request on 07/08/2026. In accordance with the revised Scheme of Delegation (September 2022), the Panel agreed to recommend the request for approval to the CAT Subcommittee. 4.8. The assessment of benefits is detailed in section 8 of this report. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Asset: Lochwinnoch Park (Calderglen Football Pitch and Changing Facility 5.1. The extent of the asset transfer request is shown outlined in red on the attached site plan reference E3568b extending to some 7848 sqm or thereabouts and representing 24.2% of all of the subjects known as Lochwinnoch Park as it stands today. 5.2. The remainder of the park is not affected by the asset transfer request. 5.3. Lochwinnoch Park was disponed to the Council’s predecessors in November 1933 for use as an open space or playing field for the benefit of the inhabitants of Lochwinnoch. The land was acquired to fulfil a statutory function to provide a park for public recreation in terms of section 24 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1894 and dedicated in favour of the Carnegie Trust and Fields in Trust in November 1934. 5.4. The football pitch, as marked on the site plan E3568b, was converted from grazing in the mid-late 1950s by Calderglen Football Club. The club itself was formed in 1950 and has always played within the park. 5.5. The asset currently forms part of the lease to OneRen and is occupied by Calderglen Football Club in an arrangement with OneRen. OneRen are supportive of the asset transfer which will be subject to the renunciation of the football pitch from their lease. 5.6. The asset does not form part of the Common Good Fund.
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5 PUBLIC 5.7. It is not considered that the CAT request constitutes a change of use, however, a lease will be subject to agreement with the Carnegie Trust and Fields in Trust. 5.8. As recreational land, the asset has a low or no residual value to the Council. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. Transfer Body: Calderglen Community SCIO 6.1. As a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), Calderglen Community SCIO qualify as a Community Transfer Body (CTB) under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 and as such are entitled to seek asset transfer under the Act. 6.2. The group’s constitution has been checked and confirmed as compliant under the Act. 6.3. The SCIO was registered with OSCR on 10 October 2022 with the charitable purposes of (a) The advancement of public participation in sport by: organising community football teams across multiple age groups and skill levels, promoting community participation in football events and by arranging coaching and teaching sessions for adults and children alike, regardless of ability. (b) The provision of recreational facilities to the local community and other community-focused groups, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended with a particular focus on promoting health and well-being, diversity and inclusion. (c) The advancement of citizenship or community development through the promotion of civic responsibility and rural regeneration by providing educational, pastoral, sporting and training facilities for community groups. 6.4. Governance arrangements in the SCIO are strong with over 130 members and 7 elected Trustees contributing skills and expertise from a variety of business, recreation and sport backgrounds. ___________________________________________________________________ 7. Community Asset Transfer Request 7.1. The CAT request is for a 75-year lease of the land outlined in red on the attached plan, E3568b. The group are offering to pay a rent of £1 per annum. 7.2. The purpose of the asset transfer request is to secure the future use of the pitch, which the club has played on for 76 years, and the site of the new changing facilities, for future generations.
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6 PUBLIC 7.3. The SCIO propose to invest in the grass pitch area to improve the playing surface and ensure sustainability. 7.4. The SCIO were granted planning permission in 2023 to erect a 1.2m spectator fence around the football pitch to protect it from vehicular vandalism. A vehicle gate providing accessibility for grounds maintenance is locked, however, a further 3 pedestrian gates are open for the community to access the space for dog walking and other activity. 7.5. Planning permission was also granted in 2023 to site a new modular changing facility. This is in place with landlords permission and is shown on the site plan as the small rectangle outlined in red on the southern side of the Annex building. All existing core and public pathways around the Annexe and between the Annex and the playing fields, including the National Cycle Route 7, are unaffected by the location of the changing facility. 7.6. While football will remain the core activity undertaken at the site, the group also plans to introduce additional teams and ad hoc mixed-age training sessions, which will be provided free of charge to members of the wider community. The changing facilities and pitch will also be made available to other community groups and events, including schools, Gala Day activities, Young Farmers, the Boys' Brigade, the Girls' Brigade, and similar organisations. 7.7. The full asset transfer request and supporting documents are appended to this report. Community Engagement 7.8. In response to feedback received during consideration of the previous asset transfer request regarding limited community engagement, the SCIO has undertaken a more extensive engagement programme, including a range of community events and surveys throughout the village. 7.9. Following feedback from these sessions, the SCIO made the decision to submit their request for a long-term lease as opposed to a full transfer of ownership. Validation, Publication and Representations 7.10. The CAT request was validated on 09/06/2026 and published on the Council Website. 5x A3 notices were placed within the park and a further 5 notices distributed to local public and community spaces including the Annex building within the park, the Mckillop Centre, the library and the community larder. 7.11. All close neighbours and interested parties, including Elected Members and the Community Council, were informed directly in accordance with the CAT legislation and Council policy.
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7 PUBLIC 7.12. Representations were invited from the general public. The closing date for representations was set as 10 July and extended to 13 July due to changes in the Council webpage during the period. This timeframe exceeded the minimum 20 working days specified in the Regulations. 7.13. 32 formal representations were received of which 28 stated objections to the asset transfer being approved. 7.14. Objectives were raised in terms of • The length of lease being requested • The existence and position of the new container changing facilities • Loss of public space 7.15. All representations and the response from Calderglen Community SCIO are provided with the full asset transfer request appended to this report. ___________________________________________________________________ 8. Assessment and Recommendation 8.1. The officer CAT Panel met on 07/08/2026 and assessed the application as good with an overall score of 74.6% and have recommended the application be approved by the CAT Subcommittee. 8.2. No alternative proposal or use for the asset was identified and so the asset transfer request was assessed based on the content of the request and benefits proposed Benefits 8.3. The asset transfer request was assessed in accordance with Section 82 of the Act. 8.4. In terms of the key considerations identified in the Act, it was felt by the panel that benefits of the CAT request contributed to • Economic Development – track record of using local contractors; improved facilities and return of games to the park will bring more footfall to the village boosting the local economy • Regeneration – stewardship of the asset and improvements to the playing surface • Public Health – promotion and participation in sport and other recreational opportunities • Social Wellbeing – making the facilities available for wider community and village activity including events
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8 PUBLIC • Environmental Wellbeing – keeping the grass playing surface • Addressing socio/economic inequalities – development of activity across age and ability groups. Best Value 8.5. Under the current occupancy arrangements, the Council is responsible for cutting the grass and lining the football pitch at a cost of c. £8,000 per annum. This responsibility will transfer to the SCIO if the asset transfer request is successful, representing a saving to the Council. 8.6. Demonstration of the 7 Best Value themes in the request were considered to be very strong/strong overall particularly in respect to: • Vision and Leadership • Governance and Accountability • Use of resources; and • Sustainability 8.7 The remaining themes of - Effective Partnerships and Local Community Support, Performance Management and Equality - were considered to be moderately demonstrated. ___________________________________________________________________ 9. Subsidy Control 9.1. Discount conferred as a result of asset transfer constitutes as financial assistance under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and must be included in the calculation for Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA). 9.2. Under the Act, financial assistance is only considered a subsidy where it satisfies all four ‘limbs’ of the test within the regime and where the recipient of the assistance is an enterprise (any person, or groups of persons under common control that is engaged in an economic activity, which means, offering goods and services on a market). 9.3. The transfer of the Calderglen pitch area and changing facility to Calderglen Community SCIO does not satisfy one or more of the limbs, namely • The financial assistance confers an economic advantage on one or more enterprises. • The financial assistance is specific, such that it benefits one or more enterprises over one or more enterprises with respect to the production of goods or provision of services. • The financial assistance has, or is capable of having, an effect on competition or investment within the UK, or on trade or investment between the UK and another country or territory, or both.
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9 PUBLIC 9.4. Furthermore, Calderglen Community SCIO is not considered an enterprise under the Act in that it carries out non-economic activities with some ancillary economic activities. ___________________________________________________________________ 10. Proposed Terms and Conditions 10.1. Asset transfer request to be approved subject to renunciation of the asset from the OneRen lease. This was already approved in principle at the time of the previous application 10.2. Approval is also subject to agreement with Carnegie Trust and Fields in Trust. This was previously agreed in principle however will need to be amended to reflect the change in scope of the asset transfer request. 10.3. The resulting lease to include break clauses at years 25 and 50. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – Saving to the Council of £8,000 per annum in maintenance costs 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community Planning Our Renfrewshire is well – the CAT supports the wellness and resilience of our citizens and communities. 4. Legal (a) The CAT request and CTB comply with the requirements of Part 5 of The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. (b) A formal offer from the CTB must be received within 6 months of decision to approve. (c) Lease terms to be concluded within 6 months of a formal offer being submitted by the CTB. 5. Property/Assets – Cat requests seeks approval to lease part of the asset reference 123095682 6. Information Technology – None. 7. Equality & Human Rights (a) The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report
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10 PUBLIC 8. Health & Safety – None. 9. Procurement – Not applicable. 10. Risk – None. 11. Privacy Impact – Not applicable. 12. Climate Risk – None. 13. Children’s Rights None. 14. Cosla Policy Position – None. _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) None. _________________________________________________________________ Author: Sandra Inrig – 0141 487 1447 or 07974 071238. sandra.inrig@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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1 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 2015 ASSET TRANSFER REQUEST FORM IMPORTANT NOTES: This is a standard asset transfer request form which can be used to make a request to Renfrewshire Council. For assets owned by other relevant authorities, please refer to that authority’s own website. You do not need to use this form to make an asset transfer request but using a form will help you to make sure you include all the required information. You should read the asset transfer guidance provided by the Scottish Government before making a request. All forms and guidance documents are available to download from the Council’s Website You are strongly advised to discuss your proposals with the Council before making an asset transfer request. You can do this by contacting the CAT Single Point of Contact at communityassettransfer@renfrewshire.gov.uk. When completed, this form must be sent to: - The CAT Single Point of Contact Regeneration and Place Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1TT Or submitted by email to: communityassettransfer@renfrewshire.gov.uk Received 03/06/2026
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2 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE This is an asset transfer request made under Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 in relation to property owned, leased or managed by Renfrewshire Council. Section 1: Information about the community transfer body (CTB) making the request 1.1 Name of the CTB making the asset transfer request Calderglen Community SCIO 1.2 CTB address. This should be the registered address (if you have one) or main correspondence address. Postal address: Auchinsale, Well Road, Kilbarchan, PA10 2LZ 1.3 Contact details. Please provide the name and contact address to which correspondence in relation to this asset transfer request should be sent. Contact name: Billy Mackay Postal address: Auchinsale, Well Road, Kilbarchan Postcode: PA10 2LZ Email: calderglencommunity@gmail.com Telephone: 07525236580 X We agree that correspondence in relation to this asset transfer request may be sent by email to the email address given above. (Please tick to indicate agreement). You can ask the relevant authority to stop sending correspondence by email, or change the email address, by telling them at any time, as long as 5 working days’ notice is given. Renfrewshire Council takes the privacy of your personal data very seriously. For more information see our Privacy Policy. (Please tick to indicate agreement). X We agree that information provided in this asset transfer request, including contact details, may ONLY be forwarded to relevant officers within Renfrewshire Council for the purposes of assessment and/or in order to provide specialist support to further the asset transfer request as appropriate. Contact details will only be forwarded with your consent for an explicit purpose. (Please tick to indicate agreement).
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3 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 1.4 Please mark an “X” in the relevant box to confirm the type of CTB and its official number, if it has one. Company (with no fewer than 20 members) and its company number is X Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) (with no fewer than 20 members) and its charity number is SC052056 Community Benefit Society (BenCom), (with no fewer than 20 members) and its registered number is Unincorporated organisation (no number) Please attach a copy of your constitution, Articles of Association or registered rules. 1.5 Has the organisation been individually designated as a community transfer body by the Scottish Ministers? No X Yes ☐ Please give the title and date of the designation order: 1.6 Does the organisation fall within a class of bodies which has been designated as community transfer bodies by the Scottish Ministers (i.e. those listed above at 1.4)? No ☐ Yes X If yes what class of bodies does it fall within? Registered SCIO with not less than 20 members; community-controlled organisaiton
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4 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Section 2: Information about the land and rights requested 2.1 Please identify the land / property to which this asset transfer request relates. You should provide a street address or grid reference and any name by which the land or building is known. If you have identified the land on the relevant authority’s register of land, please enter the details listed there. It may be helpful to provide one or more maps or drawings to show the boundaries of the land requested. If you are requesting part of a piece of land, you must attach a map and give a full description of the boundaries of the area to which your request relates. If you are requesting part of a building, please make clear what area you require. A drawing may be helpful. Details of Property: - Areas marked in red on the attached plan Address: - Lochwinnoch Public Park, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch Postcode:- PA12 4AE Community Area:- Johnstone North-Kilbarchan-Howwood and Lochwinnoch 2.2 Please provide the UPRN (Unique Property Reference Number), if known. If the property has a UPRN you will find it in the relevant authority’s register of land. UPRN:- 123095582 (part)
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5 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Section 3: Type of request, payment and conditions 3.1 Please tick what type of request is being made: for ownership (under section 79(2)(a)) - go to section 3A for lease (under section 79(2)(b)(i)) – go to section 3B for other rights (section 79(2)(b)(ii)) - go to section 3C 3A – Request for ownership What price are you prepared to pay for the land requested: Please attach a note setting out any other terms and conditions you wish to apply to the request. 3B – request for lease What is the length of lease you are requesting? 75 years Landlord permission and planning consent approved (23/0610/PP) for portacabins sited adjacent to The Annexe (small rectangle outlined in red above) How much rent are you prepared to pay? Please make clear whether this is per year or per month. Proposed rent: £1 per year (delete as appropriate) Please attach a note setting out any other terms and conditions you wish to be included in the lease, or to apply to the request in any other way. X
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6 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 3C – request for other rights What are the rights you are requesting? Do you propose to make any payment for these rights? Yes ☐ No ☐ If yes, how much are you prepared to pay? Please make clear what period this would cover, for example per week, per month, per day? Proposed payment: £ Please attach a note setting out any other terms and conditions you wish to apply to the request. Terms and Conditions to be applied: 1. Right of access across the public park to the football pitch and changing facilities (areas highlighted in red in the site map at 2.1 above)
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7 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Section 4: Community Proposal 4.1 Please set out the reasons for making the request and how the land or building will be used. This should explain the objectives of your project, why there is a need for it, any development or changes you plan to make to the land or building, and any activities that will take place there. 4.1.1 Objectives of the Project: A short summary of our organisation's purposes are: (a)The advancement of public participation in sport by: organising community football teams across multiple age groups and skill levels, promoting community participation in football events and by arranging coaching and teaching sessions for adults and children alike, regardless of ability. (b) The provision of recreational facilities to the local community and other community-focused groups. It goes without saying but if we are to be able to do this, access to facilities that are fit for purpose will be crucial. The objective of the asset transfer is to facilitate investment to create and then maintain facilities that the village can be proud of. The charity will have the capacity to raise investment in the facilities that simply will not be achieved or realised through council ownership. The charity has the appetite and financial capacity to deliver improvements in the facilities with real benefits to the community in terms of increased sports participation, health promotion and social cohesion. From 2026 we will seek to expand the range of activities made available via Calderglen to initiate more football and exercise initiatives for kids of all ages. We are well advanced with plans to deliver free coaching sessions for kids and will be working with the Gala Day team to run football initiatives at a World Cup inspired gala day. We have also used the consultation phase referred to later in this document to ask village residents to volunteer ideas to calderglencommunity@gmail.com. 4.1.2 Why there is a need for your project Sports and recreation facilities in the village of Lochwinnoch are in a state of disrepair. The general level and quality of facilities will rank poorly against others in the Renfrewshire council area. In a recent survey of visiting teams from the Greater Glasgow Football league, we asked other teams to rate the changing rooms and pitch area in Lochwinnoch relative to others in the current league set up (rating them as either great, average or amongst the worst in the league). Looking at changing rooms – 71% rated them as average with 29% saying that they were amongst the worst in the league. Looking at the pitch area – 43% rated the pitch area as great with 57% rating it as average.
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8 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE The current economic conditions and financial capacity/scope within Renfrewshire Council leave very little scope and hope for improvement in the short to medium term. The Calderglen Community SCIO has a plan to change that for the better. 4.1.3 Development / changes / modifications required Having dropped plans for an astro turf all weather surface, the investment needed to continue to improve the facilities is summarised below: * Installation of solar power solution to power new modular changing facility (budget £6,000) * Connections of water and waste via Business Stream (budget £10,000) * Longer term – to renew and improve the drainage on the grass pitch area. This would involve additional fund raising of a minimum of £50,000 to £60,000. It is worth noting that, with the help of corporate funding, we have already raised and invested circa £150,000 into improving the facilities. 4.1.4 Activities that will take place The removal of the astro pitch from our plans limits our ability to extend the range of activities that can be promoted in the area. Football will remain the core activity run from the area with the plan that we introduce additional teams and ad hoc mixed age group training sessions. These will be provided for free. We will also look to make the changing rooms and pitch area available to other community groups such as schools, gala day, young farmers, boys/girls brigade etc. 4.1.5 If the asset is to be used by the public it would be helpful if you could provide details of letting’s policy and opening times The changing rooms and pitch area will, as mentioned above, be available to various other community groups. Availability would typically be either free or under a voluntary donation to the charity. The Calderglen Community SCIO will approach all design and development of the facilities with a keen focus on the latest building standards to ensure that facilities are available on a fully inclusive basis to all community residents on a safety-first basis. 4.1.7 Any other relevant information? As the attached history document outlines, it was Calderglen volunteers who originally formed the current pitch area back in the 1950s. It’s a foundational part of sport and recreation history in the village. In essence, we have leased the land for the entire period of our 75-year history. Our request for a 75-year lease is reflective of that and will position us perfectly to continue to build the next phase of our history in the village. It’s also worth noting that a lease of this nature, gives the charity the necessary guaranteed tenure that will position us positively to benefit from external financial grant support.
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9 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Benefits of the proposal 4.2 Please set out the benefits that you consider will arise if the request is agreed to. This section should explain how the project will benefit your community, and others. Please refer to the guidance on how the relevant authority will consider the benefits of a request. Please explain how the project will benefit your community by detailing how your project will promote or improve: - 4.2.1 Economic development / income generation The area in question has very limited use from the community due to the poor standard of the existing facilities. As mentioned above, our initial aim is to improve the general quality and availability of the changing rooms and pitch area. The removal of the astro pitch from our plans limits our ability from an income generation point of view. However, we made in clear in our consultation sessions that we would look to make the changing rooms and pitch area available to other community groups such as school, gala day, young farmers, boys/girls brigade etc. Availability would typically be either free or under a voluntary donation to the charity. 4.2.2 Regeneration The project aims to regenerate the existing football pitch and create new changing facilities so that they are preserved and available for future generations within the village and surrounding areas. 4.2.3 Public Health Many of the trustees of the Calderglen Community SCIO were brought up in the village of Lochwinnoch. The public park used to be a hub of activity with the various grassed areas and Annexe being used extensively across the year for a wide range of activities. The area is currently used largely for dog walking. The plan is to supplement that and build and maintain facilities that encourage people in the community to be able to focus on their wellbeing and the benefits of being and remaining active. The organisation presently runs a local football club, with access to organised football for those of all skill levels. The club was founded in 1950 and prides itself for providing an opportunity for locals to play football in the village. The organisation actively encourages participation across all skill levels and in the wider running of the organisation. There is no gender or age barrier. For example, we welcome anyone to train regardless of skill level, to gain physical fitness and for the associated mental health benefits. The wider public regularly watch the teams play on weekends and the organisation encourages repeated attendance to garner further community pride and spirit in Lochwinnoch. This includes vulnerable adults who are kept involved to aid in their socialisation. 4.2.4 Social / Wellbeing The SCIO will aim to provide recreational facilities to the local community and other community-focused groups, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons
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10 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended with a particular focus on promoting health and well-being, diversity, and inclusion will be advanced by the activities the organisation will carry out. The facilities will be made available for use by any community groups with the appetite to improve fitness. The public benefit here is that this will reduce social exclusion, encourage participation in new healthy activities and provide opportunities to learn and nurture mental wellbeing. Diversity and inclusion will also be promoted by the provision of these facilities by the organisation. The sports activities ran by the organisation will be open to all ages and abilities. The intention is for groups specifically designed to address social issues around diversity to be given access to the facilities, also. 4.2.5 Environmental / Wellbeing / Environmental Benefits Any building work carried out will be approached with the aim that we try to minimise the potential impact on our environment. 4.2.6 Does your project contribute to the reduction in equalities? Please detail how. Diversity and inclusion will be promoted by the provision of these facilities by the organisation. The sports activities ran by the organisation will be open to all ages and abilities. The activities carried out and use of the facilities will be open to all community-focused groups and include those with a history of inclusion. The village of Lochwinnoch is served by some of the poorest recreational and sport facilities in the surrounding area. The community SCIO aim to change that for the better. 4.2.7 Any other relevant information Calderglen recently celebrated 75 years of organised football in the village for every year of that period - the area that is now subject to the CAT application has been a space designated for football and more importantly our home. In a very uncertain world, this CAT gives us certainty and control over the future of football, sport and recreation in the village. It would give us a strong foundation for future fund raising and greater confidence in creating the next 75 years’ worth of history. For additional background on this, please refer to the attached history of Calderglen pdf.
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11 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Restrictions on use of the land 4.3 If there are any restrictions on the use or development of the land, please explain how your project will comply with these. Restrictions might include, amongst others, environmental designations such as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI), heritage designations such as listed building status, controls on contaminated land or planning restrictions. We are not aware of any known restrictions on the use of the land such as those listed above.
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12 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE We are aware of a condition in the Title for the whole of the park restricting use for all time coming as an open space or playing field or as ground for public recreation. Our asset transfer request for part of the park fulfils this requirement. Negative consequences 4.4 Please identify any potential risks which may occur if your request is agreed to? How would you propose to minimise these? You should consider any potential negative consequences for the local economy, environment, or any group of people and explain how you could reduce these. We have listened to feedback from the most recent CAT consultation alongside our own consultation process and amended our application to focus solely on the pitch area that we are proud to say has been our home for the last 75 years. This leaves ample space around it for walkers/dog walkers and families who want to enjoy the space. Capacity to deliver 4.5 Please show how your organisation will be able to manage the project and achieve your objectives. This could include the skills and experience of members of the organisation, any track record of previous projects, whether you intend to use professional advisers, etc.
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13 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Have you / your organisation managed projects or owned / leased land previously? Please provide details of: - 4.5.1 Skills and experience of members of the organisation Our trustees have extensive experience operating at the highest level across several key areas that include sport/recreation, business across the financial services, travel, engineering, construction, nuclear, oil and gas sectors. Experience across our 8 trustees includes: Business * almost 40 years of experience running a FTSE 250 financial services business * more than 30 experience covering several roles in the travel/aviation industry * project director experience leading international engineering and construction projects in the nuclear, oil and gas, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors with capital investment values in excess of £1bn * more than 30 years of IT, Banking and oil sectors experience in a variety of network and project management roles * extensive experience in negotiation, sales, and event management – skills developed over many years working in both the hospitality and cosmetics industries * mechanical background with 20 years working in the rail maintenance sector * a time served cooper who learned his trade in the village cooperage - going on to work in the whisky industry for more than 30 years Sport, recreation and wellbeing * 10 years in the sponsorship of large-scale mass participation sporting events * more than 25 years of experience working in Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy and Addiction Services specialising in rehabilitation of people with physical and Mental health difficulties * more than 30 years’ experience across the group coaching several sports that include football and boxing * experience in setting up a disability football team with a focus on rehabilitation with the team playing throughout Scotland in many tournaments * experience working as part of the Gala day committee, with involvement in the varied work carried out by the committee for the benefit of the community Property and facility management
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14 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE * managing all of aspects across acquisition, development, maintenance and lease of property 4.5.2 Do you intend to use professional advisors? Where needed yes. Craig Architects has agreed to act on our behalf on all aspects of the building and planning approval phases (if required). Holmes Mackillop has supported our legal work needed to date. 4.5.3 Do you currently lease / manage a property from Renfrewshire Council? If yes, please provide details Yes, we have leased pitch area from various historic versions of Renfrewshire Council since the club was formed in 1950. 4.5.4 Please detail how you plan to maintain the asset? We have already raised and invested more than £150,000 in the machinery and the new changing rooms/unit and have already demonstrated that we will be more than capable of maintaining the existing pitch area to a high standard. It is also worth noting that a significant part of that investment has gone to local businesses who, where possible, have carried out the work – an approach that will continue. The attached PowerPoint plan outlines our proposed spending and fund-raising challenges over the next three years. 4.5.5. Any other relevant information? Section 5: Level and nature of support 5.1 Please provide details of the level and nature of support for the request, from your community and, if relevant, from others. This could include information on the proportion of your community who are involved with the request, how you have engaged with your community beyond the members of your organisation and what their response has been. You should also show how you have engaged with any other communities that may be affected by your proposals. 5.1.1 How many people are members of your organisation? Are they in agreement with this application?
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15 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE We currently have more than 130 members who have demonstrated a strong appetite to support our application. 5.1.2 Have you consulted with other local stakeholder groups and agencies? Please provide evidence. See below. Having learned from the previous experience we have had a more structured consultation/communication phase that has involved: • Sharing the scope of our CAT plans on social media at the end of April 2026 • Running an open viewing session at our new changing rooms on Sunday 26 April • Sharing details of our CAT plans via the end of April Chatterbox • Running an open meeting to answer any questions at the Lochwinnoch Bowling Club on Thursday 30 April • A formal presentation to the Lochwinnoch Community Council on Tuesday 5 May • Attending the Lochwinnoch Community Council on Tuesday 2 June to answer any new questions • We will also be sharing a detailed summary CAT update on community social media in the week running up to the Gala Day on 13 June. We will make it clear that several of our trustees will be at the Gala Day and available to answer questions and provide clarification on our plans More than 50 people attended the above meetings and the key findings were: • The reduction of scope of the new CAT application was welcomed • We outlined the conditions in the draft sale and purchase agreement that provided that the area in question could only be used for football and sport and recreation activities. We explained that the agreement also provided that the charity had no rights to sell the area in future for any commercial gain. Also, should the charity cease to exist – we must pass the land on to another charity group with similar aims or ultimately it falls back to council or Scottish ministers. It was requested that we make this clear in writing in the actual CAT application. This note is included to deliver against that request, and we can confirm that the trustees have no issue with such conditions. • There was some angst that we may lock the pedestrian gates in future. We made it clear that more people than ever are using the area for dog walking because of the benefits of the fence. This means that dog foul is at an all-time high. Whist that is a concern, the main reason for the fence was to protect the playing surface from vandalism. The fact that the public park continues to be the target of vehicle-based vandalism but that the pitch area has not been affected is evidence of its effectiveness. We made it clear that we have absolutely no plans to change our stance on locking the gates and that the
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16 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE type of events that would create a need to review this would be if vandals started using the pedestrian gates to gain vehicle access (on ebikes, motor bikes, scooters, quads) to then damage the pitch and/or facilities or any other behaviour that is detrimental to the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities. • A handful of attendees raised the point that some feel that a long-term lease would be preferred over a purchase because of a philosophical feeling that the land is currently in essence ‘owned by the community’ and that will change if it was sold. • There was a request that the formal CAT consultation period be extended to allow for holidays. We explained that the period of that part of the process is Renfrewshire Council driven and not in the control of the charity. The trustees are comfortable that this could be slightly longer than the legislation requires. 5.1.3 Have you contacted local staff? If yes, please provide details of who Officers from One Ren, planning and the Community Asset Transfer team. 5.1.4 Have you contacted any other communities that may be affected? No other communities are affected. 5.1.5 Any other relevant information Section 6: Funding 6.1 Please outline how you propose to fund the price or rent you are prepared to pay for the land, and your proposed use of the land. You should show your calculations of the costs associated with the transfer of the land or building and your future use of it, including any redevelopment, ongoing maintenance and the costs of your activities. All proposed income and investment should be identified, including volunteering and donations. If you intend to apply for grants or loans you should demonstrate that your proposals are eligible for the relevant scheme, according to the guidance available for applicants. 6.1.1 Please show your calculations of the costs associated with the transfer of the land or buildings and your future use of it, including any redevelopment, ongoing maintenance and the costs of your activities. All proposed income and investment should be identified, including volunteering and donations. The charity running costs are very small (circa £2,500 pa). The attached PowerPoint summary plan outlines likely costs and investment over the next three years.
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17 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 6.1.2 Please also supply details of what funding you have received so far, and any conditions attached. Between donations, financial support from trustees and corporate organisations – we have raised and invested more than £150,000 into improved facilities. Where possible, local businesses are utilised to ensure that as much capital as possible is benefiting the local community. The cash at bank currently sits around £19,800. 6.1.3 Details of funding you have applied for but are still waiting on a decision / response The protracted nature of the CAT process has stalled our fund raising. The CAT sits at the foundation of most of the planned improvements, until we have clarity on that we are unable to re-energise our fund raising activities. 6.1.4 Details of other funding i.e. voluntary donations, borrowing etc See above re donations received to date. 6.1.5 Any other relevant information
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18 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Section 7: Other Supporting Documentation To enable the Council to fully consider your application, the following supporting documentation must be submitted as part of your application:- • A copy of your organisation’s Constitution, Articles or Association or other governing rules as appropriate; • A detailed business case (that is proportionate to the nature of the asset transfer request); • A financial projection of income and expenditure for at least three full financial years following the date of this request; • A copy of your organisation’s most recent audited accounts, where available (or a financial projection covering the current financial year where the applicant has been operating for less than one year); • Annual reports (where these are available). Applicants are advised to refer to the Scottish Government Community Asset Transfer Guidance for Community Transfer Bodies for further details of what information should be included in these supporting documents. https://www.gov.scot/publications/asset-transfer- under-community-empowerment-scotland-act-2015-guidance-community-9781786527509/
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19 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Declaration and Signature Two office-bearers (board members, charity trustees or committee members) of the community transfer body must sign the form. They must provide their full names and home addresses for the purposes of prevention and detection of fraud. This form and supporting documents will be made available online for any interested person to read and comment on. Personal information will be redacted before the form is made available. We, the undersigned on behalf of the community transfer body as noted at section 1, make an asset transfer request as specified in this form. We declare that the information provided in this form and any accompanying documents is accurate to the best of our knowledge. “I understand that the details provided will be used by Renfrewshire Council for the purpose of assessing the asset transfer request and may be shared with Council Officers and Elected Members for the purposes of providing support in making the application or other purposes as appropriate. Further information on how the Council looks after personal information can be found here : https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2201/Privacy-policy 1. Name Billy Mackay Address Auchinsale, Well Road, Kilbarchan, PA10 2LZ Date Position Trustee Signature 03/06/2026 2. Name Derrick Hodgson Address 41 McConnell Road, Lochwinnoch, PA12 4EB Date Position Trustee Signature 03/06/2026
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20 OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE Checklist of accompanying documents To check that nothing is missed, please list any documents which you are submitting to accompany this form. Section 1 – you must attach your organisation’s constitution, articles of association or registered rules Section 2 – any maps, drawings or description of the land requested Section 3 – note of any terms and conditions that are to apply to the request Section 4 – about your proposals, their benefits, any restrictions on the land or potential negative consequences, and your organisation’s capacity to deliver. Section 5 – evidence of community support Section 6 – funding Section 7 – Supporting Documentation
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Calderglen Community SCIO Revised plan summary May 2026
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Background • CalderglenAFC was formed as an amateur football club in 1950 • The club has been an active supporter of local businesses & charitable causes for many years • Dealing with the lack of investment in the sport & recreation facilities in Lochwinnoch we set the club up as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation in October 2022 • The charity is run on a not-for-profit basis • Our success to date has achieved without a penny of public funds. All money raised has been from donations and corporate/business support • Our planned activity is outlined in this simple 4 phase plan: • 1 – Be financially secure & 100% self-sufficient for groundwork/maintenance • 2 – seek asset transfer of pitch and changing room area • 3 – instal new modular changing rooms/facilities • 4 – raise funding to improve the grass pitch and drive new activity initiatives
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Purpose The organisation’s purposes are: • (a) The advancement of public participation in sport by organising community football teams across multiple age groups and skill levels, promoting community participation in football events and by arranging coaching and teaching sessions for adults and children alike, regardless of ability. • (b) The provision of recreational facilities to the local community and other community-focused groups, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended with a particular focus on promoting health and well-being, diversity and inclusion. • (c) The advancement of citizenship or community development through the promotion of civic responsibility and rural regeneration by providing educational, pastoral, sporting and training facilities for community groups.
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Structure of our SCIO • 8 Trustees • Trustees with a wide variety of business, recreation & sport backgrounds • We are a membership-based Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) • 130 + members & building
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Trustees – backgrounds Business • almost 40 years of experience running a FTSE 250 financial services business • more than 30 experience covering several roles in the travel/aviation industry • project director experience leading international engineering and construction projects in the nuclear, oil and gas, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors with capital investment values in excess of £1bn • more than 30 years of IT, Banking and oil sectors experience in a variety of network and project management roles • extensive experience in negotiation, sales, and event management – skills developed over many years working in both the hospitality and cosmetics industries • mechanical background with 20 years working in the rail maintenance sector • a time served cooper who learned his trade in the village cooperage - going on to work in the whisky industry for more than 30 years
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Trustees – backgrounds Sport, recreation and wellbeing • 10 years in the sponsorship of large-scale mass participation sporting events • more than 25 years of experience working in Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy and Addiction Services specialising in rehabilitation of people with physical and Mental health difficulties • more than 30 years’ experience across the group coaching several sports that include football and boxing • experience in setting up a disability football team with a focus on rehabilitation with the team playing throughout Scotland in many tournaments • experience working as part of the Gala day committee, with involvement in the varied work carried out by the committee for the benefit of the community Property and facility management • managing all of aspects across acquisition, development, maintenance and lease of property
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Calderglen Community SCIO Phase 1 Financial security/self sufficient
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Phase 1 • Our phase 1 objective was to provide the charity with the appropriate foundation to fully maintain all aspects of the pitch & surrounding area • In practice this meant: • Seeking planning permission for installation of a container, changing rooms & permitter fencing • Source a 40 ft container to securely hold ground maintenance equipment • Buying a ride on lawnmower • Buying a small tractor with grass tyres (the charity already has its own grass roller) • Fence off the main pitch area with spectator fencing to protect the surface from future damage
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Phase 1 - progress • Progress to date (complete) • Planning permission obtained 20 December 2023 • Container sourced & installed on back of corporate donation/support • Ride on mower bought October 2023 • Tractor bought December 2023 • Perimeter fence funding secured from corporate donation/support with installation arranged by local firm Alter Landscapes • After completion of phase 1 the charity remained in a cash positive state
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Phase 1 – complete
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Calderglen Community SCIO Phase 2 Asset transfer of pitch and changing room area
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2 – asset transfer of pitch and changing room area
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Phase 2 – in progress Mar. 2024 We started the process to apply to Renfrewshire Council for an asset transfer of the recreational ground area Sep. 2024 The asset transfer application was initially successful with a decision granted in our favour in September 2024 Apr. 2025 Renfrewshire Council informed the charity in April 2025 that they had failed to deliver on their requirements to provide public notice of the CAT application May 2026 A revised CAT application will be formally submitted in May 2026 with a revised/reduced scope to only cover the existing pitch and changing room area (see slide 12)
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Calderglen Community SCIO Phase 3 Instal new modular changing rooms/facilities
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Phase 3 – complete • Installing changing facilities that are fit for purpose is crucial to our plan • Options considered included building a standalone facility & installing a modular building similar to the units at Moredun playing fields in Paisley • Quotes for a similar installation were obtained from DB Modular Buildings (Perth) & Cleveland Containers • Funding was raised from existing corporate supporters & order placed with Cleveland Containers
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Phase 3 • Complete • Funding for new changing rooms raised from corporate supporters • Ground foundations laid early 2025 • New modular units (pictured) have been manufactured by Cleveland Containers & were delivered April 2025 • Work continues to connect to power, waste and water. We hope to have it available fully for use for the 26/27 season
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Calderglen Community SCIO Phase 4 Raise funding to improve the grass pitch and drive new activity initiatives
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Phase 4 – fund raising • Phase 4 looks over the medium to longer-term • Funding will be raised by a combination of ongoing fund raising, donations from corporate supporters and applications for grant support Current financial position • £150,000 raised from corporate supporters and invested in the existing facilities • Cash at bank £19,888 @ end May 2026
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Phase 4 – three year cash forecast Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 1 Running costs £2,500 £2,700 £3,000 2 Solar solution installation £6,000 Nil Nil 3 Water & waste connections £10,000 Nil Nil 4 Pitch improvements £1,200 £10,000 £50,000 5 New activity initiatives £2,000 £5,000 £10,000 Total £21,700 £17,700 £63,000
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Calderglen history As part of our 75th anniversary celebrations, we had the honour and opportunity to discuss the history of Calderglen with several villagers who played and were a part of our formation. The following information is a summary of what we found out from that process and fills in some of the gaps of our history to date. Calderglen was formed in 1950 by a group of village players who were not getting game time with Viewfield Rovers. When the club was initially formed the club rules stated that only players from Lochwinnoch could be considered plus an additional allowance of four players from Howwood – allowing for the fact that it was the same parish. Back in the early fifties, teams changed in the old courthouse in Church Street. There were two pitches at that time with both sitting in the middle of the public park. The current pitch area beside the old railway banking was mainly grazing ground. Struthers lemonade factory had a presence in the corner of the park, and the Lochwinnoch Athletic Club had an area with a sandpit and ash track. The wooden hut In the mid-1950s Calderglen obtained permission to build our own changing facilities, and the original wooden hut was erected at the bottom end of the current pitch area. The hut can be seen in the image below. This image has been coloured digitally; it is believed that the original hut was in fact green.
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The introduction of the hut led to it being the venue of many lively social occasions with wives and partners laying on a spread at the end of games. Formation of the pitch area It was around this time that the players and committee obtained agreement to turn the grazing land into what is known today as the Calderglen pitch area. Those facilities served us well until sadly the wooden hut was destroyed by a fire in the late sixties. The prefab changing facilities With the help of the then named Renfrewshire County Council, £1,200 was raised to build a new prefab clubhouse on the site of the old wooden hut. Those changing facilities were made available for village use and were extensively used by the likes of the Boys Brigade. Many who attended the 75th celebration night recounted great memories of that time. 1980 – the Struthers lemonade factory approach Back in 1980, Struthers lemonade factory approached us with a financial offer as they wanted to expand their compound. The prefab was carefully dismantled and donated to a Scout group. As part of the agreement with Struthers the club would move into the annexe, and they would bear the annual costs for the changing facilities and lease of the football pitch. The agreement with Renfrew District Council (RDC) provided that the club would retain sole use of the pitch, RDC would supply nets/goal posts and Calderglen would be keyholders to the annexe. The original agreement was ‘binding on the basis the proposal would be a continuous let from year to year, excepting that the rental amount would be reviewed annually.’
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Struthers sold to Ciborio Limited (the Alfano family) Around 1999 the lemonade factory and business were sold to Ciborio Limited. Initially, the Alfano family honoured the original agreement but within 12 months it was clear that the writing was on the wall for this period of financial support. From 2000 onward we took full responsibility for paying the lease costs for the annexe and pitch area. In 2006, after a period of uncertainty, the lemonade factory closed. The annexe Around 2010 Renfrewshire Council approached us to announce the planned disposal of twenty- five properties as part of cost-saving measures. This plan was to include the annexe, and the Club became sole users of the building whilst selling or leasing options were explored. The club maintained the facilities up until the lease for the building was passed to Vicki Lee of Glitter Beach. After Vicki sadly passed away, the building was again solely used by Calderglen until it was taken over by Robert McLeish in 2017. The formation of Calderglen Community SCIO Several of our volunteers have been involved with all aspects of Calderglen going back to the eighties. Having lived through many of the years outlined above, we now know that encouraging greater participation in sport and recreation needs quality facilities. It is also much easier to achieve that if we are in control of our own destiny. The reality is that we have not been in that position since back in the seventies when we benefited from having responsibility of our own changing facilities and pitch area. The Calderglen Community SCIO was set up in October 2022 to help restore that position whilst looking to invest heavily in improved facilities that then can be used to encourage greater participation in sport and recreation. These improved facilities will be an asset to village in the same way as they have been in the past. Our 75th celebration October 2025 saw us celebrate our 75th anniversary with more than one hundred friends, ex- players and family members joining us in the Mackillop Institute. Ex-players Lawrence Wylie and John Dolan were our guests of honour as we celebrated the landmark with interviews with ex- players, live music, and dancing. We were also proud to introduce a new player of the year trophy as we renamed our Players Player award in name of Glen legend Gordon Sinclair who sadly passed in 2019. This trophy will sit alongside our Committee Player of the Year trophy that carries the name of another fondly remembered ex-player – Marc McCay.
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OFFICIAL Community Asset Transfer Notice of Representations Received Regulations 8 and 9 of The Asset Transfer Request (Procedure)(Scotland) Regulations 2016 require a relevant authority (Renfrewshire Council) to forward representations received on an asset transfer request to the transfer body and to permit the transfer body to comment on said representations and then to publish on a website any representations or comments made. This document contains all of the representations and responses received in relation to the asset transfer request for Football Pitch and area of new Changing Facility, Lochwinnoch Park by Calderglen Community SCIO Date of Request: 09/06/2026 Consultation Period: 11 June 2026 – 13 July 2026 NOTE – Only representations provided with a full name and address have been included. All personal or identifying information has been redacted.
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 14 June 2026 07:25:26 Attachments: external.png I read the proposals by Calderglen FC for the SCIO. I suggests that Renfrewshire Council offer Calderglen a lease for the land for 10years or less My concern is that if the organisation (Calderglen) leasing the land with a 75 year lease ceases to exist, gets wound up, or goes into liquidation the land may pass on to another party and cease being a benefit to the community Cheers Sent from my iPhone #1
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#2
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT request representation Date: 29 June 2026 22:15:18 Attachments: external.png Hi there, I would like to put in writing my support for the above CAT application. I think this would benefit the younger people of the village and hopefully provide more opportunities for children to be involved in football. Many thanks, Sent from my iPhone #3
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#4
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From: To: communityassettransfer@remfrewshire.gov.uk; Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT request representation Date: 01 July 2026 22:06:33 Attachments: external.png hello I am a local resident and live in lochwinnoch village I have two young children and use the park in Lochwinnoch often. I have significant concerns regarding the asset transfer of a large area within the park which I will outline below. 1. I am concerned about a high proportion of the small Lochwinnoch park being removed from public access and ownership. My children and I often use the wide open space offered by the fields to play rounders, other large area 'wide games' and fly kites and have picnics. The other areas of the part just are not as suitable as they have more obstacles (my child had to go to hospital after tripping into a metal bench flying a kite on the side of the park near the tennis/basket ball court) 2. I am concerned about who benefits from this transfer. The club have said they will benefit thr community but there is nothing outlined concretely that shows me this is true. Only a small proportion of people play football and even then that is a small proportion of the daytime that is needed - even if a team practices a couple time a week plus matches the space would be unused a large amount of time 3. I am unconvinced regarding the club saying they will allow access - I don't think a private group should be able to 'allow' access to a public space and what is to say they won't do what they have already done with the fenced off area and fence off and lock the space, if not now then in the future? 4. environmental concerns are at the forefront of my mind. The impact of replacing a grassed area with an all weather pitch is significant from my very small scanning of the research and no studies or impact assessments have been done 5. thr field floods, this poses the question what happens if the pitch floods and all the small bits wash into the river? Will the flooding be worse without the natural plants to absorb the water? 6. What is the impact on the pre existing football pitches (both fields and all weather) in the village and surrounds. Beith really isn't far away for a full size all weather pitch and there is already a smaller one in lochbarr and a field by the road to the school. Is there not a better alternative to improve pre existing facilities rather than take public resources away for more mostly unused football grounds I strongly oppose the community asset transfer and also the all weather pitch. #5
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I look forward to hearing from you and what is being done going forward. Sent from Outlook for iOS
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: CAT Calderglen playing fields representation - in FAVOUR July 2026 Date: 02 July 2026 06:57:45 Attachments: external.png Hi there my name is , I live at I am a mother of 2 young boys and am writing IN FAVOUR of the CAT to Calderglen football club. I’m not involved in the club but admire what they do. They are very much ‘BY the community, FOR the community’ and as such should be given their home turf and are trusted by many to use it well and for the good of the community. https://youtu.be/TY0AM0I068s This video represents all the good that another FAIRLY local team has done and brought to the area of Renfrewshire as a direct result of the club and the plethora of benefits such a football club can bring to the community cannot be argued with. Thorn athletic are also a prime example. Kind regards Sent from iPhone #6
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen football pitch Date: 09 July 2026 09:32:49 Attachments: external.png I object for the following reasons: 75 years is far too long and none of the original members will be around any more to oversee the lease. Lochhead gardens lease 10 years why 75 years, unheard of in Renfrewshire. The lease should only be for 3 to 5 years max with a review after a few years that it is still beneficial for the whole of the community. Calderglen will restrict access to the pitches as they did before. It should be open to the community when not in use. Calderglen only use the pitch on match days, training sessions take place on the unfenced pitch at the public park. The vast majority of time the pitch is unused. Why should the majority of the village be denied access for a few dozen people. Future development without proper community consultation (eg lighting, further fencing) Calderglen container is on community land which is designated for community use. The 75 year lease has not been properly communicated from Calderglen or Lochwinnoch CC. May I add that Calderglen didn’t use the pitch for nearly a year while resubmitting their CAT. If the gates had remained closed this would have denied the community from a much valued green space. Sent from my iPhone #7
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Cc: Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 06 July 2026 19:00:00 Attachments: external.png I oppose granting a 75‑year Community Asset Transfer (CAT) lease to Calderglen SCIO for the following reasons: 1.No demonstrated need for a CAT The club already uses the pitch under existing arrangements. Calderglen already have a fenced grass area for football; a CAT does not appear necessary to maintain the status quo. What materially changes under a 75‑year CAT compared with their previous lease? 2.Excessive and unjustified lease length Other recent CATs in Renfrewshire have been granted for 10 years, not 75 (e.g., Lochhead Gardens). Why the exception for Calderglen? A 75‑year term assumes succession of the club far beyond the lifespan of current trustees. A 3–5 year review clause would ensure the transfer continues to benefit the wider community, including to ensure the club becomes (as promised) more inclusive beyond a single adult male team. 3.Risk of restricting public access The main applicant has stated he will “possibly” lock the gates. Why does he have the right to do this? How does this fit with the idea of community benefit? The problems stated by the club which require the need for fencing (electric bikes, horses) could be addressed with alternative gate designs that still allow public access 4.Siting of the container The container sits on land protected for public recreation, and its placement obstructs access to the Annexe and could hinder future development or maintenance, including utilities. The Annexe is an eyesore, and some joined up thinking around developing/replacing that would have been preferable to another eyesore placed beside it. #8
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5.Poor communication and lack of transparency Calderglen did not inform the public of their intention to seek a 75‑year lease, this only becomes clear when accessing the online application. This is an imbalance of information and will result in less people engaging in the public consultation phase we are currently in. Also, Renfrewshire Council omitted the lease length from public posters, despite including irrelevant details such as the club’s age, this is unfair and biased towards the club and against the community whose opinions ought to be encouraged. Also, public engagement by Calderglen prior to the submission of their application was inadequate, with only one week’s notice for the club’s public meeting. 6.Concerns about future development Any future proposed changes (lighting, more fencing, further access restrictions) should go for community consultation. The initial fence and container planning application affected a public area but only a small number of neighbours were notified. This may have been technically all that was required, but both Calderglen FC and Renfrewshire Council must surely realise this was not in the spirit of community engagement, it was frankly a sneaky way to go about such a material change to a public space. Overall Conclusion As a daily visitor to the park as many people are, it is apparent to me that this CAT, if it was approved, would prioritise an organised group over the general public, who very likely outnumber Calderglen’s usage of the park if annual usage by ALL park users were to be measured and quantified. For the reasons I’ve given, I believe the proposed 75- year Community Asset Transfer is neither necessary nor proportionate and Renfrewshire Council should not recommend this CAT in it’s current form. Regards
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#9
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Calderglen CAT Request Representation From: Dated 06 July 2026 I object to the transfer of the land in any form including the grant of a 75 year lease. The use of the land should remain as it is now with the football club continuing the existing arrangement they hold with RenfrewshireCouncil. In addition the Steel container Changing rooms should be removed. Reasons for Objection: I have reservations and concerns over much of the CAT request and particularly stress inter alia the following aspects of objection. I would request these main points should be taken fully into regard by Renfrewshire Council in their consideration to accept the request or not and, if so accepted, what amendments should be made: 1. Changing Room Unit The site of the steel container proposed for the changing rooms is in a very disruptive position and should not be transferred/leased at all. If approved the unit should be relocated to the proposed pitch area, away from the Annex. Note: This objection is based on “A negative Impact on The Wider Community.” 2. Reason for Lease and Length of Lease on Pitch I cannot see any advantage to the Council,the LOcal Community of even the FootballClub to move away from the existing agreements for the club to use the pitch area.Ifa leaseis required I object to the length of lease. The length of lease requested is far too long and should be reduced to 5 years renewable to retain proper control by the Council of the use of the site and to enable taking back the site when needed for other essential sports /recreation services. Note this objection is based on ”Loss of essential services over a long period” 3. CAT process was not applied in the interest of the Community The CAT process both Pre-Validation and Post-Validation (Representation period) has been very limited in its “Community Involvement” aspects. Note: This objection is based on “CAT Process was not followed correctly” Received by email 07/07/2026 #9
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4. Lochwinnoch Local Place Plan The proposals outlined under the CAT request are completely at odds with the spirit and content of the recently adopted Lochwinnoch Local Place Plan. Note: This objection is based on “Negative Impact on Local and wider Community” Reasons for concerns and representation are as follows: 1. Changing Room Unit. The site chosen for the changing rooms is located in a position which will severely inhibit and restrain any future redevelopment, refurbishment or full maintenance of the Annex, all of which will be required in the short term. The Annex is situated to serve the whole of the playing fields from which it is now visually isolated by the existing, totally inappropriate style and location of the container. Any drainage connections made to the existing sewage and surface water drainage installation used by the Annex will be overloaded by further additional drainage connection. This will limit any redevelopment. Added to this, should any new drains pass UNDER the annex this will considerably further inhibit and jeopardise any future replacement, redevelopment or major refurbishment of the Annex. Solutions to Changing room issue: Ideally the existing changing rooms in the Annex, which have fallen into disrepair due to historical drainage issues, could and should be refurbished and modernised to enable full use by the community and the football club. If that is not feasible for any reason then the Annex could and should be extended in proper building materials to provide changing facilities for community and club use. This will obviate the need for a temporary and frankly inappropriate structure where it is and fully enable the annex to do its job. From an estate management point of view the location of the changing rooms, if still required, should be within an area of the pitch and under the same lease as the pitch rather that in a fragmented, small remote area. The drainage and utility connections
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would be easier and not directly interfere with any future proposals for the improvement, refurbishment or redevelopment of the Annex itself. 2. Reason for Lease and length of Lease On Pitch area: A lease of 75 years duration will mean that if the Football club do not carry out their offer to maintain full community use of the playing fields it will be difficult for the Council to curtail and break the lease during those 75 years without recourse to litigation. A far better solution would be to continue with existing agreements or to grant a 5 year lease term properly setting out the obligations of the leaseholder (football club) and for this lease to be only renewable if all obligations under the lease have been adhered to. The occupation by the club will be subject in this way to better control and there would be far better protection of the community rights. The lease must have extensive and suitable conditions and restrictions setting out what can and cannot be done on the leased area including inter alia: The Lease must prohibit the use of the land or the lease from being used as any form of collateral or guarantee for finance loans at any time. Reason: It seems that the Club suggest they need a long lease to enable them to get finance from external sources and therefore this restriction is crucial (Default in paying any secured loans could lead to the lease and site falling into other institutions hands). Restrictions on making any alterations such as flood-lighting installations, astro turf installation, installation of drainage which will effect the adjoining areas by exposing them to drainage run off must be avoided etc etc. Cost Contributions to the other areas of the playing field facilities must also be included eg car park maintenance and repair, path way lighting etc and certainly any costs resulting from over use of the drainage system must be recoverable under the terms of the lease. Overall title reservations and concerns: Much of the Lochwinnoch Playing fields has strong restrictions in the title of the land by which RenfrewshireCouncil became responsible for the whole Plying Fields site.The grant of any lease to a third party MUST follow those covenants . (The football club should be alerted to these restrictions).
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3. CAT Process and Management by RenfrewshireCouncil: One of the pre-requistes of a successful CAT request is to prove the requested asset is not in proper and full use by the Local Community - In my opinion the CAT should fail on this ground (as well as many other grounds ) as the Playing fields are regularly and often intensively used by the Community for the purposes of general recreation. Comment: “ The Council should indicate their decision that the site is not in full use for its intended purposes and provide the data on which this decision is based.” Rental Offerred: The rental offered by the applicant at £1 p.a must be verified under Financial Statute as “Best Value” by independent valuers by both the Council and the applicant. I can see no evidence that this task has been undertaken by either party. The pitch area alone must have a greater rental value that £1 as is evidenced by the eagerness of the applicant to acquire it. Comment: “The Council should provide to the Community full evidence that they are obtaining “Best Value” for the land should the transfer proceed.” Community Publicity to obtain “Buy In” to the proposal: The Local Community have not been properly advised of the existence or the content of this CAT request during the pre Validation period. Many of the alleged meetings were not properly publicised on often used noticeboards, letter drops, regularly used facebook pages or with much notice. Thus many residents were not aware at all of the meetings taking place. The “public meeting” of 2ndJune 2026 was not publicised anywhere at all, not even on the Lochwinnoch Community Council Agenda who were hosting the apparent meeting and only a small number of people from the Local Community (those who attend most of the LCC Meetings) attended that particular meeting. There were however a number of members of the applicant organisation in attendance as it was clear they had been informed in advance. This is the meeting which was NOT to discuss the particular current application as the attending CAT Officer made clear. That meeting should not count as a proper communication by any party of the proposals indeed any such discussion was NOT allowed!
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CAT Process Post-Validation: The erected signs do not enable most residents to understand the process for making representations - the signs are in particularly small print and the required web site address to obtain full details is hopelessly long and complicated. In fact, this web site for the first few days of the Representation period did not provide any information at all. This was later rectified. No erected signs clearly indicated the request for a 75 years lease and the plans attached are not well indicative of the small area of site for the changing facility - indeed an aspect missed by many who concluded the application was only for the main pitch area as they had not seen the faint outline to the proposed changing room site. The period of Representation permitted by the Council appears to be the absolute minimum rather that the much longer discretionary period allowed by Statute. Why? Comment: The Renfrewshire Council should re-issue the Validation notices with a longer period for representations and properly and manifestly indicate the sites requested being in two sections. The method of obtaining full details and how to make representations should be published more widely in a better accessible form such as on the widely used Lochwinnoch COMMUNITY Chat Page on facebook rather than the very underused Lochwinnoch Community Chat page. An open public advisory meeting would have been useful if the Council had arranged one to explain the fundamentals of the application and the Process of representation. This public meeting would ideally be held during the very early days of the Representation period following validation. Conclusion on CAT Process: The CAT process leading up to Validation by Renfrew was woefully short of Community publicity and should be repeated in accordance with procedures set out in the CAT guidelines. A longer and better informed post Validation Representation period should be enabled by Renfrewshire out of courtesy to Local Residents.
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Overall I object to the CAT transfer request as follows: The Changing room site should be refused and/or alternative ways of improving the provision of changing facilities should be implemented. Ideally No Lease should be granted on the Pitch area. Any lease granted on the Pitch should be for a maximum of 5 years with restrictions and obligations. 4. Finally, the Adopted Lochwinnoch Local Place Plan: The Lochwinnoch Local Place Plan adopted by Renfrewshire Council earlier this year clearly states under PS4 that the local community want to “Enhance and Preserve” the playing fields on which the requested area is sited and under F1 to Improve the Facilities in the Annex and to maintain and enhance the Annex. The grant of a 75 year lease on any part of the Playing fields is indeed.completely at odds with the LLPP. as it is for a period which will thwart the LLPP intentions on both elements of the proposal. Comment: “Renfrewshire Council should carefully consider the CAT application in light of the LLPP and further demonstrate how they have taken into consideration the LLPP in the decision making process either in acceptance, rejection or modification of the CAT request ”
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: CAT - Lochwinnoch Park / Calderglen Football Club Date: 09 July 2026 11:53:39 Attachments: external.png Dear Sir / Madam, Objection to CAT - Calderglen Playing Field Representation I am writing to state my objection to the above named Community Asset Transfer that proposes to lease the ground to Calderglen Football Club for 75 years. I am not opposed to the football club leasing the fenced ground but I am opposed to the length of the lease. The duration of 75 years seems unnecessarily long and unrealistic. It is highly unlikely, nigh impossible, that anyone in Calderglen Football team that is responsible for signing this lease will be involved in the club or indeed alive in 75 years time. Will the club still be going in 75 years time? Who knows? What will happen to the ground if the club folds? Therefore it is surely more sensible to keep the lease to a more workable time frame. As I understand it, Calderglen Football team has historically had it roots in Lochwinnoch. However, I don’t believe that many, or indeed any, of the current players, coaches or board actually live in Lochwinnoch. To sign over a piece of ground for such a long time to people that don’t actually reside in this village seems an irresponsible and odd thing to do. The only other CAT that I am aware of in this village is Lochhead Gardens leased by LCDT and used by Lochwinnoch Community Larder. The Larder is used by hundreds of people within Lochwinnoch yet this lease is reviewed every 10 years. Calderglen Football Club benefits very few people (and hardly any in Lochwinnoch) yet they are asking for such a long lease. This to me is inconsistent and unfair policy and does not make sense. I also feel that the placement of the “changing facilities” container is misplaced and should be moved next to the fenced off playing field. The big blue container is an eyesore plus the colours and branding attract sectarian vandalism (which incidentally has already happened). I hope that you take the time to consider this matter seriously. Yours, #13
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From: Sent: 09 July 2026 14:36 To: Community Asset Transfer <communityassettransfer@renfrewshire.gov.uk> Subject: Lochwinnoch Park CAT Hi Just writing to note my concerns regarding the transfer of this asset, firstly on the basis of access or lack thereof for the public by the fencing off of a large percentage of the park. Secondly I find it hard to justify the transfer of a community asset to a use that is primarily focused on one gender. Having read the application there is no mention of promoting women's football or mention of a LGBT acceptance or friendliness, its not even implied. Most cities and towns in central Scotland are actively removing gender specific sports equipment (MUGA's etc) and replacing them with facilities that are more open to use by and friendlier for women and girls, i.e. Feminist Planning. This application and the segregation of a large part of the public park for the sole use of one gender seems to be a step backwards in that respect, Further to this, and with a longer view for the village, the site remains the only viable option for a replacement Primary School or Community Hub in the medium to long term, giving an external organisation a form of control over that site may limit the viability and complicate the process in the future. There is always another football pitch further up the hill at Viewfield, an option which does not seem to have been explored in any form judging by the application. Regards
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Renfrewshire Council Website -http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Renfrewshire Council may, in accordance with the Telecommunications(Lawful Business Practice) (Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000, intercept e-mail messages for the purpose of monitoring or keeping a record of communications on the Council's system. If a message contains inappropriate dialogue it will automatically be intercepted by the Council's Internal Audit section who will decide whether or not the e-mail should be onwardly transmitted to the intended recipient(s).
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 09 July 2026 15:30:34 Attachments: external.png finance warning.png I object to the the 2026 Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application by Calderglen Football Club (FC) for the following reasons: 1. Inadequate public consultation Calderglen FC's notification of the public meeting they held on 30 April 2026 was not sufficiently in advance as it relied on the May edition of the Chatterbox newsletter and social media, meaning many residents (including myself) were unaware of the meeting. Simple measures such as advance notices in the park and village noticeboard were not used. Although concerns about inadequate consultation and land ownership were discussed at Community Council meetings in May and June 2026, the proposed 75-year lease was not made clear by Calderglen FC. The public notices placed by Renfrewshire Council in the park also fail to mention the lease length, making them highly misleading and likely to lead to underrepresentation of objections. Submission of the application during the Community Council’s 3-month summer recess further limits public knowledge and discussion of the changed proposal. These shortcomings continue a pattern of inadequate consultation surrounding previous CAT applications and developments in the park, badly undermining public confidence that local views are being properly considered. 2. Impact on the public park Existing fencing has disrupted valued walking routes around the park, while shipping containers detract from its appearance, raising concerns about the park’s long-term management and exacerbating long-term problems with the Annex building. 3. Concerns about 75-year lease The application provides no clear justification for a 75-year lease when existing short-term lease arrangements have supported legitimate sport and recreation use. A lease of this length could reduce public oversight and allow Calderglen FC to revert to unwelcome developments —e.g. restricted access by locked gates, artificial pitch, floodlights or extended operating hours— that many residents have previously opposed. 4. Concerns about the CAT process Renfrewshire Council’s CAT process lacks the transparency of the planning system. Information is difficult to access, previous applications have been removed from the public record, and there are no clear reports of handling explaining how objections have been considered. Previous Calderglen CAT applications, including extensive public objections and earlier administrative failings, remain relevant and should be publicly available. These issues have contributed to community division and consultation fatigue. It also appears relevant that a CAT application relating to Ralston Community Sports Centre was rejected by Renfrewshire Council partly because of negative effects on community cohesion. #15
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5. Conclusion I think that Lochwinnoch Public Park should remain in public ownership for the benefit of all local people, with no potential restrictions on access, and no potential restrictions on local people retaining a proper say in what happens to all areas of the park. For the above reasons I think the Calderglen CAT application should be rejected (allowing existing lease arrangements to continue) or restricted to a relatively short-term lease (not more than 10 years with proper public consultation and review after 1-3 years).
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 09 July 2026 18:36:37 Attachments: external.png To whom it may concern, I am writing to oppose the CAT request relating to Lochwinnoch Public Park from Calderglen football club. Calderglen initially and by faulty processes acquired the area in question. The public park has seen an increasing number of users both from inside and outside the village due in large part to the increased use of the cycle path and the development of the new playground and leisure facilities. Restricting use of a large portion of land intended for public use and recreation impacts on users' health and wellbeing, one of the main principles behind the setting up of public parks. This proposal will limit the number of users who can access this area of the public park, and decrease the facilities the public park offers. The fact that the club has already fenced off the area and has put locks on the gates has already seen this decrease in use. There is the possibility that the public park will receive fewer visitors due to this unwelcoming aspect, and one potential consequence is a loss of custom to local businesses. There is also the lack of community spirit in installing this fence and locking it. This application goes against the principles behind the provision of public parks. They were intended for the use of the general public (the people of the community and visitors to it), to improve their health and wellbeing, to provide a healthier leisure option. There are also the added benefits of social connectedness and community connectedness to consider. This application impacts negatively on all of these generally acknowledged benefits. This application seems to be for the benefit of a smaller number to the detriment of a much larger number. There are other options that Calderglen could consider. For example, there is the Viewfield Rovers football park that could easily sustain two clubs. The fact also that Calderglen has installed other structures in the park without allowing the community to challenge should also be considered. This application is for a minority of people in the community, not the majority. I reject their request in totality. Regards, #16
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 09 July 2026 19:15:51 Attachments: external.png I am writing to register my objection to a 75 year lease being granted to Calderglen SCIO via a community asset transfer for the following reasons: There is no need for a CAT lease transfer. The club already uses the pitch under existing arrangements (for their adult male team). Calderglen already have a fenced grass area for football; a CAT does not appear necessary. What materially changes under a 75‑year CAT compared with their current lease arrangement? The length of the lease is excessive and unjustified. Other CATs in the local area have been granted for up to 10 years. A 3–5 year review clause should be included in any agreement to ensure the transfer does in fact benefit the wider community, (as promised) beyond a single adult male team. There should be no restriction to public access (given the location is within the public park). The problems stated by the club which require the need for fencing (damage to playing surface by vehicles mainly) could be addressed with alternative gate designs that still allow free public access. Calderglen did not inform the public of their intention to seek a 75‑year lease, this only became clear when the application was published online. The omission in the length of the lease will result in less people engaging in the public consultation phase we are currently in. Renfrewshire Council omitted the lease length from their public information poster suggesting a bias towards the club - which, to be honest, has been felt by many throughout this whole process. Public engagement by Calderglen prior to the submission of their application has been inadequate (again), with only one week’s notice for the club’s public meeting. Renfrewshire council continue to maintain a football facility in Lochwinnoch called Viewfield. It has a fenced in pitch, 'dugouts' and a small serviced pavilion and parking - yet it's not been used by any team for over a year. Why is this #17
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option not being investigated? Council officials, please advise what is happening with this ground - surely a lease for this facility should be offered to a local club? Thank you to the board for taking the time to consider my objections /concerns. Lochwinnoch
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 09 July 2026 20:47:28 Attachments: external.png Calderglen CAT Request Representation Dear Renfrewshire Council, I wish to object to the proposed Community Asset Transfer of the football pitch and adjoining land through a 75-year lease at a nominal rent of £1 per year, or indeed an asset transfer. I support the existence of the football club and recognise that organised sport is an important part of a healthy and vibrant public park. However, I do not believe that this requires the transfer of long-term control over a substantial part of Lochwinnoch's only public park to a single organisation. Public parks exist for the benefit of everyone. Decisions about their use should remain under public stewardship so that all members of the community continue to have equal access and future generations retain flexibility over how these spaces are managed and developed. The football club should be supported to have usable facilities without requiring exclusive control of the surrounding public land. A long-term lease of this nature effectively removes democratic oversight and significantly reduces the Council's ability to respond to changing community needs. The application refers to maintaining community access and states there are no plans to lock the gates. However, the existing gates are routinely locked, giving little confidence that access will become more open in future. There is also no binding commitment regarding free public access to the facilities or the opening of the toilets for wider community events, despite opportunities such as school sports days where this would have been beneficial. I am also concerned that substantial infrastructure, including the steel perimeter fencing and toilet block, was installed without meaningful public consultation. If these structures are to remain, they should be managed in the public interest rather than forming part of a privately controlled area of the park. For these reasons, I ask the Council to refuse the proposed asset transfer and instead work with the football club to improve facilities while retaining the park under public ownership and management for the benefit of the whole community. Yours faithfully, #18
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 09 July 2026 21:21:33 Attachments: external.png Dear Renfrewshire Council, I am writing to object to the proposed Community Asset Transfer of the football pitch and adjoining land at Lochwinnoch Public Park. I support the football club and the important role it plays in the community. However, I do not believe that transferring long-term control of a significant section of the village's only public park is in the best interests of the wider community. Public parks are shared spaces that should remain accessible and accountable to everyone. A 75-year lease at a nominal rent would hand control of public land to a single organisation for generations, limiting the Council's ability to respond to changing community needs. The application states that public access will continue, yet the gates are already frequently locked, and there is no guarantee that facilities such as the toilets will be available for wider community events. This gives little reassurance that the space will remain genuinely open to all. I am also concerned that the fencing and toilet block were introduced without meaningful public consultation. Decisions about permanent infrastructure within a public park should be made transparently and in the interests of the whole community. I therefore ask the Council to reject the proposed asset transfer and instead continue to support the football club through arrangements that allow it to thrive while keeping the park under public ownership for everyone's benefit. Yours faithfully, #20
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 10 July 2026 15:15:09 Attachments: external.png first time sender warning.png Hi My name is and I reside at Lochwinnoch. I would like to object to the above application on the following grounds: - loss of public space/amenity when the club already have access to the field and many other options in the village where they could play - environmental if astro-turf is proposed - the park delivers high public benefit as an open space which access should not be hindered for the benefit of a minority Thanks Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone #24
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 10 July 2026 18:22:52 Attachments: external.png Dear Renfrewshire Council, I wish to object to the proposed Community Asset Transfer of the football pitch and adjoining land through a 75-year lease at a nominal rent of £1 per year, or indeed an asset transfer. I support the existence of the football club and recognise that organised sport is an important part of a healthy and vibrant public park. However, I do not believe that this requires the transfer of long-term control over a substantial part of Lochwinnoch's only public park to a single organisation. Public parks exist for the benefit of everyone. Decisions about their use should remain under public stewardship so that all members of the community continue to have equal access and future generations retain flexibility over how these spaces are managed and developed. The football club should be supported to have usable facilities without requiring exclusive control of the surrounding public land. A long-term lease of this nature effectively removes democratic oversight and significantly reduces the Council's ability to respond to changing community needs. The application refers to maintaining community access and states there are no plans to lock the gates. However, the existing gates are routinely locked, giving little confidence that access will become more open in future. There is also no binding commitment regarding free public access to the facilities or the opening of the toilets for wider community events, despite opportunities such as school sports days where this would have been beneficial. I am also concerned that substantial infrastructure, including the steel perimeter fencing and toilet block, was installed without meaningful public consultation. If these structures are to remain, they should be managed in the public interest rather than forming part of a privately controlled area of the park. For these reasons, I ask the Council to refuse the proposed asset transfer and instead work with the football club to improve facilities while retaining the park under public ownership and management for the benefit of the whole community. All residents at this address oppose the CAT request - I will be emailing separately on their behalf, from this email. #25
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Yours faithfully,
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation – Urgent Objection Date: 10 July 2026 19:50:45 Attachments: external.png finance warning.png alias impersonation warning.png Dear Community Asset Transfer Team, **RE: Calderglen CAT Request Representation – Objection** **Asset:** Calderglen Football Pitch and associated land, Lochwinnoch Public Park **Applicant:** Calderglen Football Club SCIO I am writing to formally lodge my objection to the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) request submitted by Calderglen Football Club SCIO regarding the 75-year lease of the pitch and associated land within Lochwinnoch Public Park at a peppercorn rent. As a local resident and taxpayer, I am deeply concerned that this proposal has even been progressed to the public consultation stage. I urge Renfrewshire Council to decline this asset transfer request based on the following grounds: **1. Loss of Public Green Space and Community Cohesion** Lochwinnoch Public Park is a vital, shared resource for our entire village. Securing an asset under a 75-year lease risks restricting open public access to a space heavily utilised by families, dog walkers, and informal community gatherings. Sectioning off public parkland primarily for the use of a single sporting organisation reduces the availability of the village's only open, multi-use green space of its kind. **2. Disproportionate Lease Term** A 75-year lease at a peppercorn rent is an excessively long commitment. It binds the community and future generations, effectively removing a public asset from direct council oversight and community-wide flexibility for three-quarters of a century. **3. Direct Contradiction of Council Policies and Values** I believe this asset transfer directly breaches Renfrewshire Council’s own corporate commitments regarding equity, access, and the environment: * **Equity and Access:** The Council's Asset Transfer Policy requires proposals to add value to the number of people benefiting. Privatising a public park space for a single club's primary use restricts access and creates an inequitable barrier for the wider Lochwinnoch community. * **Net Zero & Connected Communities:** A 75-year lease violates the council's commitment to a "just transition" centred on community-wide health, wellbeing, and social justice for future generations. * **Environmental Resilience:** Handing over direct management risks the long-term biodiversity of our public green space, running contrary to the "Resilient Place" goals outlined in the RenZero plan. **4. Public Interest, Governance, and Mediation** Given that Lochwinnoch Public Park is a formal public park intended to serve the *majority* of the village, the Council has a democratic duty to prevent public spaces from being monopolised by exclusive interests. Rather than allowing a single group to claim long-term control of a communal asset through persuasive lobbying, the Council should act as an impartial guardian of the public interest. If there is a demonstrated need for facility improvements, the Council should actively #27
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 10 July 2026 21:30:55 Attachments: external.png finance warning.png I object to the the 2026 Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application by Calderglen Football Club (FC) for the following reasons: 1. Inadequate public consultation The public notices placed by Renfrewshire Council in the park also fail to mention the lease length, the proposed 75 years is not made clear. making them highly misleading. Submission of the application during the Community Council’s 3-month summer recess further limits public knowledge and discussion of the changed proposal. The notice attached to a lamppost is surrounded by bushes and quite inaccessible to try and read and extract important information. There are plenty of lampposts that are easy to 2. Impact on the public park Existing fencing has disrupted valued walking routes around the park, while shipping containers detract from its appearance, raising concerns about the park’s long-term management and exacerbating long-term problems with the Annex building. 3. Concerns about 75-year lease The application provides no clear justification for a 75-year lease when existing short-term lease arrangements have supported legitimate sport and recreation use. A lease of this length could reduce public oversight and allow Calderglen FC to revert to unwelcome developments —e.g. restricted access by locked gates, artificial pitch, floodlights or extended operating hours— that many residents have previously opposed. There appears to be very little use of the space by the club, and little effort to engage the villagers, for example youngsters at the local school all train with teams outside the village. 4. Conclusion I think that Lochwinnoch Public Park should remain in public ownership for the benefit of all local people, with no potential restrictions on access, and no potential restrictions on local people retaining a proper say in what happens to all areas of the park. For the above reasons I think the Calderglen CAT application should be rejected (allowing existing lease arrangements to continue) or restricted to a relatively short-term lease (not more than 10 years with proper public consultation and review after 1-3 years). #28
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Date: 10 July 2026 21:44:47 Attachments: external.png finance warning.png I object to the the 2026 Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application by Calderglen Football Club (FC) for the following reasons: 1. Inadequate public consultation The public notices placed by Renfrewshire Council in the park also fail to mention the lease length, the proposed 75 years is not made clear. making them highly misleading. Submission of the application during the Community Council’s 3-month summer recess further limits public knowledge and discussion of the changed proposal. The notice attached to a lamppost is surrounded by bushes and quite inaccessible to try and read and extract important information. There are plenty of lampposts that are easy to access. 2. Impact on the public park Existing fencing has disrupted valued walking routes around the park, while shipping containers detract from its appearance, raising concerns about the park’s long-term management and exacerbating long-term problems with the Annex building. The current state of affairs seems to work therefore not sure of the benefit of the CAT and the need to change the status quo. 3. Concerns about 75-year lease The application provides no clear justification for a 75-year lease when existing short-term lease arrangements have supported legitimate sport and recreation use. A lease of this length could reduce public oversight and allow Calderglen FC to revert to unwelcome developments —e.g. restricted access by locked gates, artificial pitch, floodlights or extended operating hours— that many residents have previously opposed. There appears to be very little use of the space by the club, and little effort to engage the villagers, for example youngsters at the local school all train with teams outside the village. object to the the 2026 Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application by Calderglen Football Club (FC) for the following reasons: 4. Conclusion I think that Lochwinnoch Public Park should remain in public ownership for the benefit of all local people, with no potential restrictions on access, and no potential restrictions on local people retaining a proper say in what happens to all areas of the park. For the above reasons I think the Calderglen CAT application should be rejected (allowing existing lease arrangements to continue) or restricted to a relatively short-term lease (not more than 10 years with proper public consultation and review after 1-3 years). #29
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From: To: Community Asset Transfer Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 10 July 2026 23:57:09 Attachments: external.png finance warning.png I firmly object to the proposed Community Asset Transfer of a substantial part of Lochwinnoch Public Park to Calderglen Community SCIO. My principal objection is straightforward. Although never explicitly stated by the applicant, the application makes clear that their objectives involve restricting the public's long- established right to free and unrestricted access to the area of Lochwinnoch Public Park in question. This is not a minor administrative change. It would result in a lasting reduction in the amount of freely available public open space within the park and replace an established public amenity with land managed by an organisation that is not democratically accountable to the wider community. The land is currently a valued community resource The application significantly understates how the site is currently used. It claims the area is "used largely for dog walking". That does not reflect reality. The area in question is used every day by a wide range of residents for informal recreation, including children playing various sports, families playing games, walking, exercising and simply enjoying an open public space. My own children have for many years regularly used this area to enjoy informal games of football and it is an essential resource for them to be able to develop their skills in the sport. Informal, self-directed play is fundamentally different from organised coaching. Children need places where they can play whenever they choose, without needing permission, membership or organised sessions. Removing that opportunity would represent a genuine loss to local families. Existing users cannot simply move elsewhere The applicant has suggested that current users should simply use other parts of the park. This is not a satisfactory answer. Large grassed areas suitable for football and other ball games are limited. Much of the remaining park consists of uneven ground which is unsuitable for ball sports. The loss of the area in question would represent a significant and irreplaceable loss to the recreational value of the public park. For many who rely on this space for informal ball sports, it would represent the loss of the only suitable area in the park. The promised public benefits are vague and unenforceable #30
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The application attempts to justify the loss of public access by promising community benefits, including free "ad hoc mixed age group training sessions" and the possibility of introducing additional teams in the future. These promises are extremely vague. No timetable is provided. No commitments are made. No targets are set. No evidence is offered that these activities are actually needed or wanted by the community. There is also nothing within the application that appears to require these activities to be delivered on an ongoing basis. In effect, the public is being asked to surrender access to public land in exchange for aspirations that are neither clearly defined nor, as a consequence, enforceable. That is not an acceptable basis upon which to dispose of community land. Public benefit must be demonstrated Community Asset Transfer legislation exists to enable genuine community benefit. The question is not whether Calderglen Community SCIO would benefit from acquiring this land. The question is whether transferring public land out of unrestricted public use would produce greater benefit for the whole community than retaining it as an open public park. In my view, the application does not demonstrate this. Instead, it asks the community to give up access rights in exchange for uncertain future promises. That is not an appropriate balance. The applicant has not demonstrated why the lease is necessary to deliver the claimed community benefits A fundamental weakness in the application is that it fails to demonstrate any meaningful connection between the proposed lease and the community benefits that are relied upon to justify it. The applicant states that it intends to offer activities such as free "ad hoc mixed age group training sessions", however, no explanation is given as to why these activities require exclusive control of part of Lochwinnoch Public Park. Calderglen Football Club already uses the park for organised football. There appears to be nothing preventing the organisation from providing coaching sessions, establishing youth teams or expanding its community activities under the current arrangements, just as many sports clubs throughout Scotland do using publicly accessible facilities. Before determining the application, the Council should require the applicant to explain precisely which proposed activities are dependent upon the lease, why they cannot be delivered under the current arrangements, and what evidence supports that assertion. Informal recreation cannot be replaced by organised coaching Even if the promises made by the applicant were fulfilled, organised football sessions are not an adequate replacement for unrestricted public access. My own children already belong to football clubs. They are not looking for "ad hoc" mixed- age coaching sessions. What they need is exactly what they currently have: somewhere they are free to practise informally whenever they wish. Those opportunities are essential for children's physical development, confidence and enjoyment of sport. The proposal would remove those opportunities rather than enhance them.
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The applicant's track record should be carefully examined The Council should assess the application based not only on aspirations but also on evidence of what the organisation currently delivers. The applicant states that its charitable purposes include organising football across multiple age groups, promoting participation and providing coaching opportunities for adults and children regardless of ability. However, the presented evidence makes clear that the organisation's only substantive football activity is the operation of a single adult men's football team. Before reaching any decision, I believe Council officers should also require the applicant to provide clear evidence regarding: - the number of youth, women's and girls' teams currently operating; - the number of registered players in each team; - the number of qualified and PVG-checked coaches registered with each team; - participation figures for community coaching sessions over the last twelve months; I believe a proper scrutiny of these matters will demonstrate that the proposed transfer is inconsistent with Renfrewshire Council's duties to promote equality and ensure that public assets are used in a way that benefits the whole community. Conclusion At its heart, this application seeks to bring about a fundamental change in the use of part of Lochwinnoch Public Park. For generations, this has been an open public space where all members of the community have enjoyed equal rights to use the land for informal recreation. The proposal would replace that principle with one in which a significant area of the park is managed primarily for the benefit of organised football under the control of a single organisation. The Council is not being asked simply to support football. It is being asked to permanently diminish unrestricted public access to a public park in order to facilitate the activities of a single organisation. Those are two very different propositions. I do not object to Calderglen Amateur Football Club continuing to use the park as they do at present. They have played football there for many years alongside other park users, sharing the space in the same way that everyone else does. That arrangement reflects the purpose of a public park: a shared community resource where no single group has priority over others. If the organisation wishes to secure and develop facilities under its own control, there is a more appropriate alternative. Viewfield Park is an existing football facility within the village that is already intended for organised football. An asset transfer or long-term management arrangement at that site would preserve Lochwinnoch Public Park as open public space while allowing Calderglen to develop football facilities without removing established public rights or creating conflict with other park users. If the Council nevertheless considers granting Calderglen greater control over the area within Lochwinnoch Public Park, I strongly believe any lease should contain clear and enforceable conditions, including as a minimum:
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From: To: communityassettransfer@renfrewshirecouncil.gov.uk Subject: Calderglen CAT Request Representation Date: 11 July 2026 05:23:55 I am writing to strongly object to the current CAT application for Calderglen SCIO. The whole process has been a sham from the get- go! Whilst Calderglen have notably reduced their big ideas to secure the public park for themselves to serve a men's football team to the area which is currently fenced off now, plus the site where the big awful looking blue porta cabin is situated on. I do not believe they need a CAT due to having a lease agreement in place already with Renfrewshire Council. made it clear they would be looking at a lease only which was music to the community's ears. Thinking this was the sensible and more balanced approach. What did not disclose at the time was they would be putting in for a 75year lease which is absolutely absurd and again leaving the community feeling hoodwinked AGAIN!! The lease will outlive anyone involved on their board and possibly their players too. Dirty tactics making themselves look as though they were cooperating but actually failed to inform the community or community council of their 75year lease request. No transparency therefore no trust has been built up between Calderglen SCIO and the people of Lochwinnoch. There is absolutely no need for the proposed lease to be 75yr. There is 1 local bit of ground currently being used for the community larder which has a 10year lease only. This serves the whole community and is well used. A 10year lease would be much more realistic and reasonable than 75yrs. I have found the lack of engagement via social media on the main community chat page. They have put it on once. stated at a CC meeting they made a clear decision not to get involved with social media when actually they absolutely should have been putting themselves forward to answer questions and made it clear it was a 75yr lease. They legally should have been actively doing this. Instead they haven't therefore a lot of people within the community has not been reached or realise the full extent of their latest antics. People in the community are actually worried and frightened to post anything about it due #31
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to previous reactions from local supporters which means there has been a lack of community engagement. There has been 1 community council meeting which people were invited to go along and chat to from Calderglen SCIO. Very last minute and not enough time for people to attend. It was made clear the gates which were illegally previously locked due them not owning the land. spoke and told the CC attendees he can't guarantee they won't be locked again. ( I have absolutely no doubt they'll definitely be locked if they secure this) how is this beneficial for the community as a whole? There is already a fenced off area specifically for football in the heart of the village - Viewfield. I have recently heard that there are chats between the current lease holder, the council and another football team from Howwood to take this over. Why would this not have been the answer to Calderglen' request? It would make sense to share or pass this facility to them. There is no need for 2 facilities specifically for football. The whole argument that they've played on this bit of land for 75years is ridiculous. So why not keep it as it already is? What's the need for the change? The community has been around a lot longer than 75years and will continue to be around when Calderglen isn't so that should be taken into consideration. It's ridiculous. Dog fouling - this gets brought up continuously. Anyone playing any sport or using the park facilities I.e. the school, child carers, community groups ALL have to risk assess the land prior to use for not just dog foul, broken glass and litter etc. that's part and parcel of using public land. It's not a reason to fence off and lock gates. Lochwinnoch streets also have a problem with dog fouling. Does this mean we fence of all the pavements? Keep the gates open for the community. Bikes/ scooters, quad bikes etc - there has to be another solution to stop them churning up the grass instead of locking a whole community out of the fenced off area using padlocks. How does this serve the local community? I've only ever seen the bottom half of the park with tyre marks on it. The bright blue porta cabin is an eyesore. It would be better if Calderglen SCIO could work with the current annexe lease holder to work in partnership. Surely, they can come to an agreement to secure a lease, apply for funding to upgrade the facilities which they previously used for years and remove that blue container from public land. It looks awful.
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The council have failed the community as they should be impartial but have a clear bias for Calderglen. The whole process was initially hurried through. Had a member of the community not exposed this then the deal would have been done right under everyone's noses. Where is the transparency and trust? The council omitted the 75year lease proposal from public notices. I hereby ask the council to object to this CAT Regards Sent from Outlook for iOS
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OFFICIAL Asset Transfer Request for Calderglen Football Pitch and Changing Facility, Lochwinnoch Park Calderglen Community SCIO - Response to Representations We would like to thank everyone who took the time to engage with the Community Asset Transfer consultation process and submit feedback. The responses received have been carefully considered by the trustees of the Calderglen Community SCIO. We took a very different approach to this year’s process. Conscious of the friction that existed in last year’s consultation process, we intentionally didn’t encourage any of our members or supporters to respond during the open window. We would like to take the opportunity to provide a little detail in our response to the key points that were raised. Length of the proposed 75-year lease The scope of the application covers the existing football pitch area and the ground that the new modular changing room sits on. Our summary Calderglen history document outlines the history of how the pitch came into existence. It was Calderglen founders that converted what was grazing land into a football pitch. Over the last 76 years we have leased and helped maintain the area in a way that has allowed generations of people in the village to play football there. Having seen multiple generations take responsibility for the land over the last 76 years, we do not view it as controversial that we ask that we retain responsibility for it over the next 75 years. It’s also worth pointing out that the original plan was to offer to buy the ground. Having listened to the feedback during the consultation process, we changed to instead request a long-term lease agreement. A hugely important factor in looking at the nature of the lease was our ability, as a charity, to raise funds in future. Almost all organisations that provide grant opportunities to charities like us will look for certainty and longevity in any ownership or lease structure before committing funds to any initiative. Loss of public access and public ownership Some felt that the transfer would reduce unrestricted access to a public area of the park and prioritise organised football over informal recreational uses such as walking, children's play, picnics, kite flying and casual sports. The two football pitch areas have been paid for use sport rental areas for many years. Indeed, as stated earlier, we have paid for use of the top pitch area for the last 76 years. We amended the scope of our application to leave the areas outside of the pitch area untouched. This leaves most of the public park area for any other informal recreational use of any type.
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OFFICIAL When looking at the existing pitch area, it is also worth pointing out that we removed the padlocks to all pedestrian gates in June 2025. Anybody that frequents the park will understand that a huge number of walkers now use the pitch area. We have never had any problem with that but have had to frequently remind dog walkers of their responsibility to lift dog waste. The pitch area has become a favoured destination for people with dogs with poor recall. There are lots of examples of people using the area responsibly which is great to see but this increased traffic has unfortunately led to an increase in dog fouling in the area. We are regularly having to remove dog waste from the playing surface which is both a risk to the players and an unpleasant experience for those of us that must remove it. There was also a suggestion that we have extended the green fence towards the river, this is simply not true. There has been no additional work carried out since local business Alter installed the fence. The photos below demonstrate clearly that all access gates and corner areas are heavily used. There are five entry and exit points currently being actively used around the pitch. They are what I think everyone would agree – well trodden paths. Pedestrian gate and walk around point at cycle path end of pitch
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OFFICIAL Pedestrian gate and walk around point at river Calder end of pitch The above photo on the right is the area where the fence runs towards the river and clearly shows that it is heavily used and has never been extended. Middle of pitch pedestrian gate
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OFFICIAL Existing arrangements are seen as adequate Some raised the question of why a CAT is necessary when Calderglen already uses the pitch under existing agreements. Over the last two years we have invested circa £150,000 into making our sports and recreation facilities better. All that money has come from donations from members or support from corporate organisations. That approach unfortunately only has very limited scope for future funding. There is only so far that we can go with asking our members or our corporate contacts for funding. We aspire to continue to raise significant funding to continue to improve facilities and to make a greater range of sport and recreation initiatives available to people in the village and surrounding area. Doing that requires greater use of charity grant opportunities. Our ability to do that is greatly enhanced with the longevity and certainty that comes with a successful CAT decision. The consultation process A handful of objectors commented that the public was not adequately informed or aware of the proposal and suggested that community engagement was insufficient. A great deal of planning went into our consultation process, a process that included: • Sharing the scope of our CAT plans on social media (including Community pages) at the end of April 2026 • Running an open viewing session at our new changing rooms on Sunday 26 April 11.00 am to 12.00
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OFFICIAL • Sharing a full update about our planned application via the end of April Chatterbox • Running an open meeting to answer any questions at the Lochwinnoch Bowling Club on Thursday 30 April at 7.30 pm • Carrying out a formal presentation to the Lochwinnoch Community Council on Tuesday 5 May • Attending the Lochwinnoch Community Council meeting on Tuesday 2 June to answer any new questions • Providing a further update about the amended scope of our plans on community social media pages in the week running up to the Gala Day on 13 June. We pointed out that several of our trustees would be at the Gala Day and happy to answer any remaining questions. • 6 July 2026 – the Daily Record ran an article on the planned CAT application. • 7 July 2026 – the Renfrewshire Gazette ran an article on the planned CAT application. • We also agreed with a request to extend the Council consultation process that meant the window for feedback remained open beyond the normal 20 working days to 13 July 2026. Container changing facility Some responses commented on the container obstructing access to future redevelopment of the Annexe building with some suggesting refurbishment of the Annexe would be preferable. Achieving what Calderglen has over the last 76 years has not been easy. It takes huge commitment from a long list of people to continue to make sport and recreation opportunities available. It has also afforded us the opportunity to learn from our mistakes. One of those lessons is that it is much easier to make opportunities available when you are 100% in control of your own facilities. It is sad to say that, for the first time in over 100 years, we have no Saturday afternoon football currently being played anywhere in the village. Depriving many locals of the opportunity to watch the team and of course local businesses from the money that comes with bringing people to the village. The main blockage for us is the availability of a fully functioning changing facility. Something that we are working on. Across our history we have twice been able to benefit from our own changing facilities, something that we now know is crucially important to delivering and maintaining a successful Calderglen in the village. Previous Calderglen facilities have a long history of actively being used by other organisations in the village. We very much want the new facility to be viewed and used in the same way. It was great to see an initial small window into such use with the Gala Day committee using the changing unit to store their furniture, table and chairs in the days up to and after the Gala Day.
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OFFICIAL In terms of questions about the position of the unit – this was simply decided upon based on the easiest access to water, waste and power facilities. There was a suggestion that it would block any future extension of the Annexe. It is incredibly difficult to evidence this suggestion. Apart from anything else, extending towards the changing unit would suggest extending across the main access path to the Sustran ‘cycle path’. Something that, bearing in mind the traffic on it, would be difficult to achieve. Environmental and future development concerns Some responses raised concerns about the potential future installation of artificial (all- weather) surfaces, microplastic pollution, artificial light pollution, flooding and drainage impacts. On current estimates, building any decent all-weather facility would have cost around £1 million. Raising that sort of money for a small charity would have taken years. Having reflected on the feedback received during previous consultation, we took the decision to drop plans for an all-weather pitch and focus instead on improving what we currently have and investing in improving the existing grass pitch and a variety of new sport and recreation initiatives within the village. There are no plans at all to look at an all-weather facility or to consider floodlights. Flooding is always a risk in a village like Lochwinnoch but it’s worth pointing out that there is nothing in our plans that will make that risk worse. Whilst flood water does not typically affect the pitch playing area, we have plans to make significant investment in improving the drainage on the grass pitch area to help improve the quality of the playing surface. Conflict with local planning aspirations Some representations felt that the proposal conflicts with the Lochwinnoch Local Place Plan. We have read the Local Place Plan in full and see nothing that conflicts with our plans. If anything, our plans are entirely consistent with the aim of improving, preserving and enhancing facilities in the village. In summary Calderglen has been part of life in and around the public park for more than 75 years and remains committed to promoting participation in sport, recreation, health and wellbeing for people of all ages. Our charity is volunteer-led and operates on a not-for-profit basis, ensuring that all funds raised are reinvested into community benefit. As we celebrated our 75th anniversary we had the opportunity to reflect on the contribution of generations of volunteers, players and supporters. We remain committed to working collaboratively with the community to improve local sporting facilities and opportunities. The revised Community Asset Transfer proposal reflects what we have learned from the consultation process and demonstrates our willingness to listen, adapt and respond positively to community concerns.
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OFFICIAL We hope that stakeholders will consider the revised application on its merits and recognise its potential to secure long-term investment in local sport and recreation while preserving community access and community benefit. Benefits of the Revised Community Asset Transfer Proposal • Protects the wider public park by removing the middle sports and recreation area from the transfer proposal. The application now relates only to the existing Calderglen pitch area and the new changing rooms. This directly addresses one of the main concerns raised during the previous consultation. • Maintains community access by retaining public use of the main areas of the park while continuing Calderglen's long-established use of the existing pitch area. • Responds to community feedback by changing the proposal in several ways, providing reassurance that the asset remains protected while supporting our aspirations for long-term investment and improvement. • Drops plans for an all-weather pitch, removing concerns about cost, scale and impact. The focus is now on improving the existing grass pitch, drainage and other community sport and recreation opportunities. • Secures investment in local facilities through a volunteer-led, not-for-profit charity that reinvests all surplus funds into sport, recreation and community benefit activities. • Builds on a proven track record. Calderglen has operated from the public park for more than 75 years, contributing financially to the use and upkeep of the facilities while providing sporting opportunities across many generations. The Trustees of the Calderglen Community SCIO