Scottish Government launches consultations on Community Right to Buy

The Scottish Government has launched two consultations on Community Right to Buy for abandoned, neglected or detrimental land and crofting.

The consultation on the new Community Right to Buy abandoned, neglected or detrimental land will gather views on the criteria used by ministers to decide whether land is eligible.

Community bodies have the right, in certain circumstances, to buy land without a willing seller, when the land is wholly or mainly abandoned or neglected, or the use or management of the land is causing harm to the environmental wellbeing of the local community.

The consultation on the refreshed crofting community right to buy seeks views on measures including the form of the application forms to be used by crofting community bodies, as well as ballots and administrative arrangements relating to this the right to buy.

Dr Aileen McLeod, Minister for Land Reform, said community right to buy can “make a real difference to local communities”.

She said: “I would urge all those with an interest in community right to buy and the community ownership of land to respond to these consultations and have their say on how we shape the future of our local communities.

“By consulting on the practicalities of community right to buy, we are determined to up the pace at which community bodies are able to take ownership of land, realise the benefits that can come from this and meet our target of one million acres in community ownership by 2020.”

The consultations will run for 12 weeks and will end on 20 June 2016.