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Dawson Park Pavilion - Disposal of Common Good Land
What is happening?
Statutory Consultation with the Local Community under Part 8 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 for Disposal of Common Good Land
20-year lease of Dawson Park Pavilion, FK2 7NH to Grahamston Community Club.
Consultation dates: Commences Wednesday 16th September 2026 Closes Wednesday 4th November 2026.
Introduction and Background
The land upon which Dawson Park Pavilion is built on was acquired by the Council’s predecessors in December 1908. The first burden in the title states that the land was conveyed:
“for the express purpose of forming a park or recreation ground for the benefit and use and enjoyment of children and adults of the district”.
The land is Common Good. The Grahamston Community Club, a local volunteer-run youth football club, has had a let of the Dawson Park Pavilion since 1989.
In common with all football pavilions in the Council estate, the Dawson Park Pavilion was identified as a “non-core property”, at which time the Grahamston Community Club came forward with a proposal to take a long-term lease of the property to prevent the loss of the building to the local community.
What land is being consulted on?
Dawson Park Pavilion, shown outlined in red on the plan (“the consultation site”).
What is being proposed?
It is proposed that the Council lease the property to Grahamston Community Club for a period of 20 years at a rental of £1 per annum with the tenant being responsible for all repairs and insurance.
This is in line with the decisions made at Falkirk Councils Executive committee of 20th August 2026 Agenda Item 13. The full report is available on Falkirk Council’s web site
.
The results of this consultation exercise will be considered by Falkirk Council’s Executive committee before a final decision is taken over the future of the property.
Why are we consulting?
The building and site form part of the common good of the former Burgh of Falkirk.
When considering the disposal of common good land (including demolition or sale), certain legal requirements must be followed. These are:
Carry out a statutory consultation with the local community under Part 8 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015; and, If required, seek approval from the Court under s.75 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.
This consultation is being carried out to satisfy the first legal requirement and further guidance on the process can be found here:
Common good property: statutory guidance for local authorities - gov.scot (
)
The Council is following the above Guidance.
The Council, in terms of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, must have regard to the consultation responses when deciding on whether to proceed with the intended lease.
What are the benefits of the proposal?
The Council Executive has noted that the football club cannot continue to operate in line with Scottish Youth Football Association rules if they do not have access to the pavilion. Additionally, taking a lease of the building would bring the following benefits:
Economic development: when local people are upskilled through volunteering opportunities offered by the Club, the local economy stands to benefit. It has also been noted that local shops see an increase in footfall on match and training days.
Public health: the playing and coaching of team sports brings well-documented physical and mental health benefits to participants. There are currently around 100 local children served by the club.
Local community involvement: In a survey carried out by the club, 100% of the 107 respondents lived within 5 miles of the park. 106 survey respondents supported the proposals. In addition, the Dawson Park War Memorial Group and The Friends of Dawson Park support the project and will have the opportunity to use the pavilion as a meeting space.
Financial saving to the Council An asset transfer of the property will generate an estimated annual revenue saving of £1,820 to the Council plus a saving of a back log of repairs.
Are there any drawbacks to this proposal?
None are apparent.
Please answer the following question:
1. Do you agree that Falkirk Council should lease the Dawson Park Pavilion to the Grahamston Community Club for a period of 20 years, at the cost of £1 per year?
Responses to and comments on the proposal are positively invited.
They must be made in writing and state that they relate to the Dawson Park Pavilion proposals. Responses and comments must be received by the closing date of Wednesday 4th November 2026.
Methods of Response:
1. On-line: This should be done through “Participate+”. Please open FC consultation link
https://participateplus.falkirk.gov.uk/en-GB/
and submit your completed response for this current engagement opportunity. This is within Falkirk Councils web site
Alternatively:
2. E-mail: A PDF consultation response form is available, to request a consultation response form, please email strategicpropertyreview
and ask for a “Dawson Park Pavilion Consultation Response Form”, returning completed forms to the same e-mail address strategicpropertyreview
or,
3. Post: Please complete a consultation response form. If emailing and the above is not convenient copies are also available from Falkirk Library, Hope Street, Falkirk FK1 5AU. Responses do not, however, require to be on the consultation response form and can be by letter. Please post completed response with contact details to:
“Dawson Park Pavilion Public Consultation Response”,
The Manager (Asset Management),
Falkirk Council - Place Services,
Suite 1B, Falkirk Stadium
4 Stadium Way
Falkirk
FK2 9EE
What happens next?
The Council’s decision will be published on the Falkirk Council website
through Participate+ along with details of all representations to this consultation (excluding address,
postcode and email of respondents). The Council’s decision will have regard to the responses to this Consultation as to whether to proceed with the proposed lease.
Please return forms by Wednesday 4th November 2026
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