This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Second historic Assynt buy-out
03/06/2005
With funding now in place, the Assynt Foundation has
concluded the transfer of 44,400 acres comprising
Glencanisp Lodge, Glancanisp Forest and Drumrunie Forest
into community ownership.
Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Lewis
Macdonald said:
"I particularly welcome the transfer of land in Assynt,
one of the places where reform of Scotland's land ownership
began over 10 years ago.
"The Assynt Foundation are to be congratulated on their
commitment and determination in raising £2.9 million to
secure this purchase for the longer term benefit of the
people of Assynt and for Scotland as a whole.
"Confidence in the Foundation's aspirations under the
Community Right to Buy is clearly demonstrated by the
bodies providing much-needed financial support,
particularly those new to community ownership.
"Following closely on from the transfer of the Taft at
Crossgates in Fife, the Community Right to Buy legislation
is clearly working for communities throughout rural
Scotland.
"This buy-out proves that the Act can deliver the
opportunities it promised."
The Land Reform Act was implemented on June 14, 2004.
Part 2 of the Act provides the opportunity for properly
constituted community bodies representing rural areas in
Scotland to register an interest in and buy land when it
comes to be sold. The legislation provides a
right to buy registered land which will
contribute to the sustainable development and well-being of
the local community. Once an interest is registered, the
land cannot be sold without the community's interest being
taken into account.
Further advice on the Community Right to Buy and copies
of the Guidance can be obtained from the Scottish
Executive's Land Reform Branch at Area 1D, Pentland House,
47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY (Tel: 0131 244 6003) or
from our website at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/Land/17063/8276.
The Assynt Foundation is the second community body to
purchase land under the Community Right to Buy, following
Crossgates Community Woodland's purchase of The Taft on 24
May 2005. The Assynt Foundation's proposals include
creating jobs and new opportunities for local people,
protection and expansion of ancient woodland, environmental
management and regeneration of the land, croft creation,
developing eco-tourism and affordable housing, and creating
the first community-owned National Nature Reserve.
Scottish Ministers approved the Assynt Foundation's
application to proceed with the Community Right to Buy on
March 18, 2005.