This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Community ownership clicks into place
14/06/2004
New laws which give local groups rights to buy land come
into effect today.
The launch of the Community and Crofting Community Right
to Buy provisions mark a significant step in delivering the
Executive's Land Reform programme, according to Rural
Development Minister Allan Wilson.
Community bodies throughout Scotland now have the right
to register an interest in land and to buy that land when
it comes to be sold.
Crofting communities can now buy the land where they
work and live. These rights are included in Parts 2 and 3
of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act and commence.
The Minister also announced that the Forestry Commission
Scotland would be consulting on a new scheme which would
allow communities to bid to buy national forest land
provided they can ensure the purchase will benefit the
community and is in the wider public interest.
Allan Wilson said:
"The rights we are launching today are a significant
landmark in the Executive's Land Reform programme. More
importantly, they are a major step forward for rural
communities the length and breadth of Scotland.
"They will lead to increased diversity in the way land
is owned and used, increased community involvement and
confident communities determining for themselves the way
forward.
"Increasing the population threshold from 3,000 to
10,000 under the Community Right to Buy means that many
more communities now have the opportunity to benefit from
the legislation and to determine their own future. I am
pleased that the Scottish Land Fund has also increased its
population threshold for defining its eligible funding
areas to 10,000.
"Land reform is a major achievement of the Scottish
Executive and the Scottish Parliament. It is central to
the development of our rural areas. I am delighted today
to deliver right to buy legislation that fundamentally
extends the opportunities available to our local
communities."
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 was passed by the
Scottish Parliament on January 23 and received Royal Assent
on February 23 last year.
The Community Right to Buy in Part Two of the Act
provides an opportunity for community bodies representing
rural areas to register an interest in and buy land when it
comes to be sold.
The Crofting Community Right to Buy in Part Three allows
crofting communities to buy croft land at any time.