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Community right to buy
02/01/2009
Ross-shire residents have made the 100th registration to buy local land under the community right to buy legislation.
Evanton Wood Community Company, near Dingwall, have registered to buy 64 acres of mature, mixed woodland on the Novar Estate in Ross-shire.
The company proposes to maintain Evanton Wood while undertaking some improvements to roads and paths. The creation of a shelter, toilets and information will boost the amenity for visitors.
Environment Minister Michael Russell, said:
"The community right to buy is incredibly important, particularly to rural Scotland. Giving communities control over the way their land is managed inspires greater power to shape their own futures, creates a strong sense of ownership and provides rights and opportunities to help realise local ambitions.
"Rural communities throughout Scotland are continuing to recognise the real benefits of the community right to buy legislation. As a result registrations have been made on a wide range of assets including churches, woods, fields, estates, a golf course, a youth hostel and even an avenue of trees.
"The legislation has been very popular. However, there is more which can be done to assist community bodies in working their way through the processes and we'll be providing further help for them in 2009."
Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides an opportunity for communities to register an interest in and then buy land when it comes up for sale. The first registration under the Act was made on September 1, 2004 when Boddam Development Trust registered to buy the RAF Buchan Playing Field or Recreational Park.
Taking gained experience into account, there are plans to publish revised guidance in the Spring of next year. The Scottish Government website will also launch the Rural Communities Mapping Tool enabling the public to identify the post codes used to define their communities under the legislation.
Achievements under the community right to buy legislation:
- 74 applications have been approved by Ministers. 54 community bodies are currently waiting for land to come up for sale
- 20 applications have proceeded to the right to buy. Seven of these applications have been successful, and a further two were concluded outwith the provisions of the Act
- Three rights to buy are currently being undertaken. These are at Coldingham (Berwickshire), and two in the Western Isles - Urras Bhaile na Cille and Benbecula Golf Course Company Interest
Registrations which have led to successful community rights to buy include:
- Silverburn Community Company in Midlothian successfully purchased the old 'Chisholm Tank' owned by Scottish Water to provide a split level community hall and green space for the community
- Neilston Development Trust successfully purchased the former Clydesdale Bank in Neilston, Renfrewshire, to provide opportunities for self-development, training and employment of the community. A credit union has been set up in the building
- Comrie Development Trust successfully purchased five parcels of land forming the disused MOD Cultybraggan Camp, at Comrie, Perthshire. The land and buildings are being used for a range of community facilities including low cost business units and sports facilities