Sale of gifted land

The request was successful.

Dear University of Aberdeen,

Please could you give the following statements.

1. The justification of the University for the sale of land gifted to the Rowett to be used for "the furtherance of science", bearing in mind that the proceeds of the sale are not the same as the gifted land itself, and indeed will run out. Further, is this in keeping with the bequeathment?

2. A response to the accusation that the houses on the Rowett land were built for agricultural use only, similar to the houses at SAC and as such a new-build development would be contrary to this.

3. A copy of all records relating to ownership of the Rowett campus.

Yours faithfully,

Billy Fagan

Foi, University of Aberdeen

Dear Mr Fagan,

Thank you for your enquiry received by the University on Sunday 24 July 2011, requesting information about the University's "justification for the sale of land gifted to the Rowett...".

We acknowledge receipt of your request which is being considered under the terms of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. A response will be sent to you promptly and in any case not later than 20 working days after the date we received your email. If we require any further information for purposes of clarification, I will let you know.

Yours sincerely,

David Blair,
Policy, Planning and Governance,
University of Aberdeen,
University Office,
King`s College,
Aberdeen,
AB24 3FX

Tel.No. 01224 272037.
email [email address]

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Glennie, Marina, University of Aberdeen

To:          Billy Fagan
[1][mailto:[FOI #80846 email]]

 

 

Dear Mr Fagan,

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – SALE OF GIFTED LAND:  FOI-117

 

I refer to your email of 24 July 2011 requesting information on the sale
of gifted land.  Your request has now been considered under the Freedom of
Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

 

Q1.    The justification of the University for the sale of land gifted to
the Rowett to be used for "the furtherance of science", bearing in mind
that the proceeds of the sale are not the same as the gifted land itself,
and indeed will run out. Further, is this in keeping with the
bequeathment?

    

A1:     The University of Aberdeen is not selling the Rowett estate:  it
is the Rowett Research Institute, Registered Number SC37444, Scottish
Charity No:  SC007269, which is selling its estate.  The sale proceeds, as
with previous sales, are rolled over and invested by the Rowett Research
Institute in the furtherance of its ongoing charitable purposes which
include replacing its existing laboratories with new ones at Foresterhill.

 

Q2.    A response to the accusation that the houses on the Rowett land
were built for agricultural use only, similar to the houses at SAC and as
such a new-build development would be contrary to this.

    

A2:     All of the Rowett land, houses and buildings have been used and
maintained by the Rowett Research Institute for its charitable purposes in
agreement with the Scottish Executive (now called Scottish Government)
which has publicly approved the sale to contribute to the cost of the new
build at Foresterhill.

         

Q3.    A copy of all records relating to ownership of the Rowett campus.

 

A3:     All records of Rowett heritable ownership are publicly accessible
at [2]www.nas.gov.uk/guides/sasines.asp, or Registers of Scotland, Erskine
House, 68 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 4NF.

 

Should you be dissatisfied with the University's response under the Act,
you have the right to ask the University formally to review its decision.
If you ask us to do this it will be undertaken by a Lay Member of the
University Court, who has had no previous involvement with your request
and who will, if required, take advice from individuals who also have not
been involved.  Any request for review must be in writing or another form
capable of preservation, be received not later than 60 working days
following the date of your original request, adjusted by the date of this
reply, and state the matter which gives rise to your dissatisfaction.  It
should be addressed to Mr B Purdon, Clerk to the University Court,
University Office, King's College, ABERDEEN AB24 3FX.

 

If you are still not satisfied you will then have the right to complain to
the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road,
St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DS.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Mr David Blair

Data Protection Officer

Policy, Planning & Governance

University of Aberdeen

University Office

King's College

ABERDEEN  AB24 3FX

 

Tel:  01224 272037

Fax: 01224 273984

Email:  [3][email address]

 

 

========================

Mrs Marina Glennie

PA to Director

Policy, Planning & Governance

University of Aberdeen

University Office

King's College

ABERDEEN  AB24 3FX

 

Tel:  01224 272016

Fax:  01224 273984

Email:  [4][email address]

 

 

 

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