New body is planned to back Scottish community landlords

A NEW body is being planned to represent the growing number of community landlords in Scotland.

A report has identified the need for an organisation to lobby and promote existing community land-owning groups and to help those considering buy-outs.

Representatives from the sector yesterday met Roseanna Cunningham, the environment minister, who was presented with the results of a study showing overwhelming support for the idea.

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Angela Williams, development officer with the Knoydart Foundation, said: "Community land organisations took part in a detailed survey as part of the study. The message which emerged was that the land reform agenda had lost momentum, and there was a need for a body to represent the sector, and lobby to ensure that the needs and aspirations of community land groups were being met."

The draft report will now be circulated to community buy-out groups and work will start to seek finance for a new body.

Yesterday's meeting followed a conference in September where delegates felt community ownership was no longer considered a priority by the SNP government.

It also called for the reinstatement of the Scottish Land Fund, funded by taxation and not Lottery money.

Ms Cunningham welcomed the move to set up a representative body: "This could play a useful role in helping to ensure the spirit of the land reform legislation develops throughout Scotland and its aim of building confident, sustainable and vibrant communities is fully realised."

She also said the government is "wholly committed" to land reform and urged communities throughout Scotland to register an interest in buying land even before it is put up for sale.

She said: "Even where there is no immediate prospect of land being put on the market, communities should think innovatively and register their interest in their surrounding environment."

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