Scottish land reforms fuel row on access
Scottish land reforms fuel row on access
- 2001
- Herald 23 February 2001, 4(2) .
The draft bill on land reform published by the Scottish Executive, although welcomed by crofters, is strongly criticised by the National Farmers Union of Scotland, the Ramblers Association and the Scottish Landowners Federation. Under the proposals there will be a right of responsible access to the countryside but this will not extend to buildings and their surroundings, inland waterways, woodlands or forests, nor to anything except the margins of fields where crops are being grown. Non-crofting communities will have the right of first refusal when land is put up for sale, provided that interest in buying the land has been registered through a community body supported by more than 10% of the community, but will not be able to force the landowner to sell. Crofters' right to buy will, however, be extended to include common grazings and fishing, mineral and sporting rights as long as this move is supported by 50% of the community.
ACCESS TO COUNTRYSIDE
CROFTING
LAND REFORM
RIGHT TO BUY
RIGHT TO ROAM
SCOTLAND
SCOTTISH LAND REFORM BILL
The draft bill on land reform published by the Scottish Executive, although welcomed by crofters, is strongly criticised by the National Farmers Union of Scotland, the Ramblers Association and the Scottish Landowners Federation. Under the proposals there will be a right of responsible access to the countryside but this will not extend to buildings and their surroundings, inland waterways, woodlands or forests, nor to anything except the margins of fields where crops are being grown. Non-crofting communities will have the right of first refusal when land is put up for sale, provided that interest in buying the land has been registered through a community body supported by more than 10% of the community, but will not be able to force the landowner to sell. Crofters' right to buy will, however, be extended to include common grazings and fishing, mineral and sporting rights as long as this move is supported by 50% of the community.
ACCESS TO COUNTRYSIDE
CROFTING
LAND REFORM
RIGHT TO BUY
RIGHT TO ROAM
SCOTLAND
SCOTTISH LAND REFORM BILL