This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Assynt community celebrates legal ownership
24/06/2005
The communities of Assynt today concluded an historic and important purchase under new Land Reform legislation.
The ceremony to mark the conclusion of the Assynt Foundation's £2,915,000 purchase of the 44,400 acre Drumrunie Forest, Glencansip Lodge and Glencansip Forest at Assynt in Wester Ross is being held today at Glencanisp Lodge.
Five-year-old Jack MacLeod will turn the key in the door of the lodge to mark the handover of the land, to celebrate its transfer to local community ownership.
Deputy Rural Development Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"The Executive's Land Reform agenda is clearly delivering as intended by empowering rural communities to take ownership of land to fulfil local aspirations.
"The Assynt Foundation's commitment and determination set an example for other community bodies throughout Scotland to follow in securing ownership of land for the long term benefit of their communities.
"A model memorandum and articles of association, developed by the Scottish Executive and Highlands and Islands Enterprise Community Land Unit will be published next week on the Land Reform and HIE websites to assist community bodies in forming a limited company for the purchase of community land.
"The Assynt Foundation has shown serious intent in addressing the needs of the community it represents. I wish them every success in their venture."
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.
The success of the Assynt Foundation follows the first successful transfer of The Taft to the community of Crossgates in Fife, which was concluded on 24 May 2005.
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 model Memorandum and Articles of Association will assist community bodies in setting up a company limited by guarantee, which is a requirement under section 34 of the Land Reform Act, and will be available next week on the Scottish Executive's and Highland and Islands Enterprise's websites at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/Land/17063/8277
http://www.hie.co.uk/CommunityLand.htm
The Assynt Foundation's applications consisted of 4,800 hectare (11, 900 acre) Drumrunie Forest, Glencanisp Lodge and 13,150 hectare (32,500 acre) Glencanisp Forest. Its main proposals for furthering the achievement of sustainable development are:
- Creating employment around innovative approaches to deer stalking/management;
- Creating employment around the development of Glencanisp Lodge;
- Creating employment around the upgrading and maintenance of footpaths;
- Creating employment around the monitoring and enhancement of the natural heritage features;
- Creating employment around the protection and expansion of ancient woodland;
- Creating employment and providing opportunities for local people in eco tourism businesses, crofting and other business developments;
- Developing a small number of crofts/small holdings;
- Increasing opportunities for educational, environmental, cultural, social or recreational benefit to the Assynt community and wider public.