A community group in Edinburgh is to become the first organisation in an urban area to benefit from right-to-buy powers.
Scottish ministers have given Action Porty consent to proceed with the community purchase of the former Portobello Old Parish Church and halls, with plans to transform it into a community hub.
Legislation passed in 2015 extended the right of communities to buy land to include people living in urban areas.
Although right-to-buy powers have been used widely across rural Scotland, this is first time permission to proceed has been granted to a group within a city, the Scottish Government said.
Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: "Congratulations to Action Porty on obtaining consent to proceed with the community right to buy of the former Portobello Old Parish Church and halls.
"Land is one of our most valuable assets and land reform has already delivered significant benefits to rural communities across Scotland.
"It gives me great pleasure to grant consent to Action Porty for a community right to buy in Edinburgh and I look forward to seeing the group's plans to construct a community hub progress."
Ian Cooke, Action Porty director, said: "We are delighted to be the first urban community to use the community right to buy, but sincerely hope that we will be the first of many.
"Given the commercial interest in the property, it is highly unlikely that the community would have been able to acquire the Bellfield site without this support."
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