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From the outset, the land reform policy development process has been
an unprecedentedly open one. We have all gained from this. Ministers and officials
have benefited from a far wider range of views and ideas than we would usually
be able to draw on. And I know - because so many people have told me so - that
individuals and bodies with a long-standing interest in these issues have greatly
appreciated the chance to help formulate policy.
The White Paper of July 1999 was based on extensive consultation. And we made clear that, even at that stage, our minds were by no means closed to new ideas. We said then that we would listen to what people said. We meant it. We have also devoted some time to developing some of the technical provisions which are required to make these measures workable and effective. As this document shows, we have been able to make a large number of improvements to the draft Bill as a result.
On access, following the advice of Scottish Natural Heritage and the Access Forum, the legislation includes inland water as well as land. We have included provisions to enable land managers to manage the right of access on their land when the requirements of land management dictate. In drafting the legislation our aim has been to create greater opportunity for people to visit and enjoy our countryside without interfering unduly with legitimate land management operations.
As regards community right to buy, we have listened to comments from community interests. In the light of what they had to say, the legislation now gives Ministers a degree of discretion to decide whether a community body is sufficiently representative of and supported by the local community. And it will be possible for community bodies to register interest in nearby land. Also, we have added a procedure for community bodies to apply on an exceptional basis to register interest after land comes on the market.
Equally, we have listened to concerns raised by landowning interests. We have made adjustments to avoid problems of "cherry-picking". And we have made other changes to minimise delays.
I am particularly delighted that provisions to create a crofting community right to buy have now been included in this draft Land Reform Bill, rather than having to wait for a future Crofting Bill. This has meant some delay in preparing this draft Land Reform Bill, but it has been a price well worth paying, in order to give crofters this right now.
All of this has been time-consuming but very worthwhile. Obviously, we want to move ahead as quickly as possible, so as to deliver our "Programme for Government" and "Working Together for Scotland" commitments to introduce this legislation. But above all we want the Bill to be as good as possible. So please let us have your comments on this draft Bill. By doing so, you can help us make the Bill better. And by doing so you will be helping us make a real difference throughout rural Scotland.
JIM WALLACE
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