The Scottish Land Commission has proposed key changes to the Land Reform Bill, currently
being considered by Parliament, so that it achieves the Scottish Government’s objectives
to address the impacts of concentrated land ownership.
The Land Reform Bill introduces some important new steps to increase transparency,
widen ownership opportunities, and regulate large land holdings in the public interest,
including requiring greater transparency and community engagement.
It also considers ending private off-market sales of large landholdings through prior
notification.
Introducing scrutiny of the sale of large landholdings with a power to require land
to be sold in lots is mooted.
A key suggested change to the measures sought by the commission is setting a unified
threshold of 1,000 hectares for all proposed measures, rather than the varied thresholds
currently set out.
It also recommends simplifying the Prior Notification process by introducing a single
90-day notice period, with exemptions for small transactions and a decentralised
local notification system.
Ensuring a wider range of public bodies and community councils are involved in ensuring
accountability of land management plans is also sought.
The commission says the transfer test should be strengthened to focus explicitly
on public interest and enable strategic public sector land acquisition for housing,
community ownership, farming and other opportunities.
Hamish Trench, Chief Executive of the Scottish Land Commission, commented: “The Land
Reform Bill is a significant step in addressing Scotland’s long-standing challenges
with concentrated land ownership. For too long, the imbalance of power created by
concentrated ownership has limited opportunities for some communities, businesses,
and individuals to influence and benefit from how land is managed and used.
“This Bill introduces measures to increase transparency, regulate land sales, and
ensure land is owned and managed in ways that benefit the wider public.
“Our recommendations aim to ensure the Bill delivers on its ambitions by making its
provisions stronger, simpler, and easier to implement. With these changes, Scotland
can move towards a fairer, more productive system of land ownership that is regulated
in the public interest, moving Scotland closer to normal international practice in
land governance.”
The Land Reform Bill is currently being considered at Stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Land Commission is providing advice to the Scottish Government and to
inform parliamentary consideration, to support the development and implementation
of an effective Land Reform Bill. The Commission will continue to advise on this
alongside its work on a wider programme of reforms.”
Scottish Land Commission seeks changes to the Land Reform Bill
21 January 2025