Scottish Government
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Improving transparency of land ownership
Future of Land Reform in Scotland.
Making sure people know who owns land in Scotland is a key issue of a land reform consultation launched yesterday.
The way in which land is owned can mean it is sometimes difficult to trace and contact landowners which can mean it is not always possible to tell who owns the land which makes it very difficult for those seeking to engage with land owners including local communities.
This consultation will look to help this issue by restricting companies, trusts and partnerships that can own land to within the EU. This will not affect individuals from all over the world who want to buy land in Scotland but will make it easier to contact the landowner or hold them to account if necessary.
It will also look at ways of modernising how Common Good should be managed, used and transferred. There are many different types of Common Good assets such as a local park, a building like a local town hall, or even a piece of art or a small financial fund. It is important that these assets are managed appropriately, especially where they have historical, social, cultural or environmental importance to the local community.
Environment and Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod said:
“The Scottish Government’s vision is for a strong relationship between the people of Scotland and the land of Scotland, where ownership and use of the land delivers greater public benefits through a democratically accountable and transparent system of land rights that promotes fairness and social justice, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.
“I am keen to see a fairer and more equitable, distribution of land in Scotland where communities and individuals can own and use land to realise their potential. Scotland's land must be an asset that benefits the many, not the few.
“At present information on who owns land is held by many different bodies including, Registers of Scotland, SEPA, Local Authorities as well as the Scottish Government. This consultation will look at finding ways to bring this information together, which will not only inform debate and public decision making but also help private decision making and drive opportunity.
“This consultation is part of a public debate about land and the public interest, and how land in Scotland works for the people of Scotland. This is not simply for those with strong existing interests in land but a process in which I hope everyone will engage.”
Notes To Editors
http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Programme-for-Government-12b0.aspx
The consultation was announced recently by the First Minister who said the Scottish Government would treble the Scottish Land Fund – from £3 million this year to £10 million in 2016. She also confirmed the consultation would look at removing tax breaks for sporting estates.
As well as the announcements last week this consultation - ‘Future of Land Reform in Scotland’ - will also consider:
- a dedicated resource within the Scottish Government to promote and facilitate community land ownership across the whole of Scotland
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improving deer management legislation
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proactive management of public sector land and extending the powers of Forestry Commissioners
