MSP Keeps Up Pressure On Crown Estated Over Crovie Pier

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson is maintaining the pressure on the Crown Estate to carry out repairs on the historic pier at Crovie.

Mr Stevenson wrote previously to the Chairman and Commissioner of the Crown Estate, Mr Ian Grant, to urge him to authorise repairs and not wait for Aberdeenshire Council to serve an enforcement notice on the Crown Estate compelling them to do so.

The Crown Estate has now responded to the suggestion offering to hold talks with Aberdeenshire Council and the MSP with a view to reaching a resolution.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“I have been corresponding with the Chairman of the Crown Estate regarding his obligation to maintain the pier, suggesting that it would be to the benefit of community relations and the wellbeing of the pier if work was to be carried out now rather than wait for Aberdeenshire Council to serve a statutory notice on the Crown Estate compelling them to do so.

“The Crown Estate has until now steadfastly refused to move from its position that Crovie Pier was nothing whatsoever to do with the Crown Estate as they did not build it and “derive no benefit from it”.

“The Crown Estate have now offered to meet with myself and representatives from Aberdeenshire Council to see whether what they refer to as a “pragmatic solution” can be reached, indicating that they may be prepared to contribute to the cost of repairs if other parties are minded to also contribute.

“I hope we can get the Crown Estate to move their position still further and to meet their obligations to the local community.”