Villagers are taking ministers to court after being refused permission to buy their local pub.
Residents of North Queensferry in Fife tried to use SNP land reform laws to force the sale of the Albert Hotel, in the shadow of the Forth Bridge.
But the £2 million plan, backed by Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has been blocked by Scottish Government officials who claim locals couldn’t make the bar profitable.
Now the North Queensferry Community Trust (NQCT), which is behind the campaign, has launched a legal action to overturn the decision.
The case called at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last week with a full hearing expected later this year.
The Albert, a 200-year-old listed building, closed in 2017.
Supporters of the North Queensferry community bid to use the Scottish government’s new land reform laws to force the owners of the Albert Hotel to sell the hotel to them
The bid by locals to buy the pub has been backed by Sarah Brown, wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, describing it as a ‘much-loved community asset’
With its owners refusing to sell up, locals tried using powers introduced by the SNP to force the transaction.
Since 2020, a property sale can be ordered if the community shows it has a sustainable development plan.
But in March, officials rejected the NQCT bid, saying: ‘These plans would, if successful, bring a social hub for the community, economic benefits from a hospitality business itself and secondary benefits from increased trade in the village.
‘In ministers’ view, however…these positive developments would be unlikely to be achieved.’
The Albert dates back to 1824 and was renamed in 1842 in honour of Queen Victoria’s husband when the royal couple paid a visit to the village en route to Balmoral.
The exterior even featured in the 2022 Steve Coogan film The Lost King, about the amateur historian who discovered the body of Richard III under a car park.
The Albert – which had nine bedrooms plus a bar and restaurant – is owned by the Festival Inns Limited SSAS pension fund, which is operated by Edinburgh businessman Kenneth Waugh.
North Queensferry has a population of 1,100, but the only other pub shut down during the pandemic.
A planning bid to turn the Albert into flats was knocked back by Fife Council after locals objected.
Among the complainers was Mrs Brown who lives in the village with the former PM.
She wrote: ‘The Albert is a much-loved community asset, and many people from the village have missed it as a meeting point and social gathering place as it has been closed and boarded up for some time.
‘The building itself is a landmark with its painted signage and gable. It is a familiar sight in front of the Forth Bridge.
‘I understand that there is a better option for the building and the local community whereby a group of village residents are prepared to turn the building back into a pub and hotel if they can agree a fair purchase price.
‘I hope to see this planning permission for a flat development declined and better option sought.’
The Trust has a £2m plan for the Albert with funds raised from locals, grants and the National Lottery.
Its bid of £240,000 for the property in 2021 was rejected.
It would cost a further seven-figure to restore the building and business.
Both parties were approached for comment.
The Trust has questioned the Scottish Government’s conclusions, claiming its business ‘was developed with expert advice from experienced organisations’.
Mr Waugh has insisted he intends to reopen the Albert as a hotel.
