Scottish Land Commission

In our latest guest blog, Linsay Chalmers of Community Land Scotland analyses the key learning from a project supporting urban communities interested in land re-use, an area that our upcoming VDL review will highlight as requiring more action. Read the full blog on our website 👉https://lnkd.in/edEtjvXS Interested in more insight into addressing vacant and derelict land? Check out our blogs on recent successes including the launch of an online VDL map, and how the KLTR Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme is creating new opportunities for community ownership. https://lnkd.in/er_VtSr9 https://lnkd.in/eU2aW2Wk

This week our Chief Executive, Hamish Trench, will be speaking at the Scottish Contaminated Land Forum conference discussing progress made on tackling vacant and derelict land. Hamish will look at recommendations made in 2020 by the Commission’s VDL Taskforce and actions taken, as well as what more can be done to accelerate progress. His presentation will address what needs to happen to enable re-use of existing VDL and steps needed to prevent a new legacy of VDL based on changing town centres. This is a topic the Commission are heavily focused on with a review conducted by Ryden to be published later this month. #SCLF2024

📌 Statement from the Scottish Land Commission on Highlands Rewilding land sales. https://lnkd.in/eUMNeqc8

📣 The Scottish Land Commission has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on crofting reform, highlighting the opportunity to further develop crofting as a key component of Scotland’s land reform programme. The Commission has welcomed the consultation, which proposes updates to the Crofting Act, emphasising crofting’s vital role in diversifying land ownership and supporting the Government’s broader objectives for land ownership and use in Scotland. The response from the Commission recognises that whilst the current consultation is focused on short-term improvements in crofting regulation and administration, which it is supportive of, there is potential for wider reforms to crofting to unlock further opportunities including access to small-scale land opportunities and affordable housing as well as supporting rural re-population. Read the full response 👉 https://lnkd.in/e7YvDs9q

Clarity on tenancy arrangements is crucial in agricultural leases 🚜 In the latest TFC Blog, the TFC explains how changes to named parties on a lease can have different legal implications and when to seek expert legal advice. Alternatively, you can, in the first instance, contact the Tenant Farming Helpline for initial, informal advice. (01463 423 300; tfc@landcommission.gov.scot). https://lnkd.in/eXm_6v2d

🛠️ Help us build stronger communities! If you’re involved in a community-led organisation or social enterprise what are your priorities for generating wealth and strengthening local economies? Please take part in our survey. Share your expertise with us and be a part of informing the development of community wealth building policy. 📋 https://ow.ly/XYc650T2TXt #GoPlaces #CommunityDevelopment #CommunityWealth

In 2020 our VDL Taskforce described the potential of the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR) for overcoming ownership issues of vacant and derelict land as a ‘game-changer’ – 4 years on, the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme is up and running and already making a difference to stubborn VDL sites. Head to our website to read a blog all about the OPTS – a centuries-old regime that is creating new opportunities ⭐ https://lnkd.in/eGSCkaBS #VacantAndDerelictLand #VDL #OPTS

⭐ Just published – a printable ‘Checklist for good practice’ ⭐ The checklist is based on the principles of the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement and provides a useful guide for land owners and managers to evaluate and reflect on what they are doing well, and areas for improvement in how they manage land. The checklist includes advice on: 👁🗨 transparency 🤝 collaboration and partnership 💬 community engagement 🌱 stewardship 💚 social and economic benefit Download a copy for print or access the checklist online 👉 https://lnkd.in/eJdNmADb If you would like more advice and support on how to develop or demonstrate leadership in good practice, contact our Good Practice Team 📧 goodpractice@landcommission.gov.scot #LRRS #ScottishLandCommission #LandRightsAndResponsibilities

Have you seen our research in Financial Times article "Scotland’s rural ‘land rush’ slows as bubble for natural capital bursts"? https://bit.ly/4g2pVSK #landvalues #landreform #Scotland Detailed analysis here: Rural Land Market Insights Report for Scottish Land Commission https://bit.ly/4dUXi8k Rural Land Values, Sales + Investment Trends https://bit.ly/3Mlbuf5

🗣️ “People are starting to see that the way housing is developed, that the models that have been used over the past couple of decades are not delivering the type of housing that society as a whole needs or wants.” Missed it first time around? Catch up with James MacKessack-Leitch's appearance on Regenerative Scotland with Ariane Burges where he sets out some of the frustrations around the current model of delivering housing in Scotland. https://lnkd.in/e8yz6GsW And if you’d like to stay up to date on the Commission’s work around housing and unlocking opportunities from land, including upcoming research on land for rural housing, join our mailing list. https://lnkd.in/ePfjdHy2 #LandForHousing #HousingDevelopment