SNP’S LAND REFORM BILL AN “IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD” FOR ISLAND COMMUNITIES

The Scottish Government’s Land Reform Bill is expected to be passed by the Scottish Parliament this evening in an important step forward for communities in the islands and across Scotland. The final stage of the bill is to be discussed in Holyrood today and seeks to empower small communities and tackle concentration of land ownership across Scotland.

Key measures being brought forward include lotting provisions which will allow communities to buy smaller portions of land upon an estate’s sale. Prior notifications of land sales for communities will also be implemented through this legislation. Meanwhile, the requirement for Land Management Plans will require greater transparency, engagement and proactive use of land assets in line with national objectives.

Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, is expected to say in today’s debate:

“The land is an important part of who we are, and so I am proud of our long-standing commitment to delivering meaningful land reform, diversifying land ownership in the public interest.

“However, the concentration of land ownership can be seen to have worsened again in recent years, with 421 landowners owning 50% of private rural land (down from 440 in 2012).

“Looking forward now, it is important to use the legislative levers available to us to prevent asset management companies… from any aggressive acquisition of huge swathes of our hillsides. The ongoing challenge for all of us will be to ensure local communities remain able to make productive, positive use of the land around them for the benefit of everyone living in the area.

“This bill represents an important step forward in Scotland’s progress on land reform, empowering communities to give themselves a future.”