Redevelopment of a former livestock market site for community benefit
Estimated Price
£250,000
Kingussie's Market Stance site is a Common Good Asset, formerly owned by the burgh for the benefit of the local people and now administered by The Highland Council. The site was formerly used as a livestock market but is long since redundant and now consists of a largely undeveloped field comprising the remnants of timber cattle pens.
Kingussie's Community Action Plan 2025 contained many references that "something should be done" with the site, with many suggestions included. KCDC, along with partners organisations such as the Community Council, has recently completed a survey amongst the town asking people to indicate their preferences from a series of options, along with any specific suggestions of their own. Given the status of the land as Common Good, KCDC is planning to consult with local councillors over the findings of the survey to arrive at a manageable proposal or options to develop. KCDC is looking to generate a community income from any development and has undertaken a feasibility study into viability of a solar PV array at the site, potentially in combination with other uses. A pre-existing community hydro (run by KCDC) has provided over £100k of income for the town in its 10+ years of operation and our intent is to create something of similar impact.
This project will transform an area that is currently unused, an eyesore and providing no community benefit whatsoever. Depending upon the options chosen and developed we expect to deliver a project that contributes to net zero and biodiversity at the same time as delivering ongoing income for the community and affording opportunities for local people and business. This project is at an early stage and with several approvals to be secured but it remains the focus of our community ambition.
We expect detailed feasibility work to commence in May 2026 and at this point an indicative timeline will be drawn up, bearing in mind formal consultative processes involved with Common Good land. Financial support will be required initially for specialist consultant support (eg environmental assessments) and later for site clearance and development.
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