How Scotland can open up land opportunities

The Scottish Land Commission has today published a policy roadmap as the culmination of its ScotLand Futures initiative, setting out how Scotland can go further in reforming the ownership and use of land.

The new publication outlines practical actions to widen land ownership, strengthen local decision-making and unlock opportunities for homes, jobs and climate investment across the country.

The roadmap draws on engagement through the ScotLand Futures initiative, with more than 1,200 people across Scotland sharing their views and priorities for land reform alongside international evidence. It finds that while Scotland has taken important steps over the past 25 years, pressures on land are now sharper and more urgent. Housing need is rising, land values remain high, major land use change is underway, and too many people feel locked out of decisions that shape their communities and futures.

Public appetite for action is strong. More than nine in ten respondents (96%) said Scotland needs further change in how land is owned and used. Respondents were also looking for more clarity about the outcomes of land reform and how reforms could build confidence for all interests.

The document sets out three priorities for the next phase of land reform:

• Open up land opportunities by committing to a national programme of small-scale land holdings, using public land proactively, and simplifying routes into community and co-operative ownership
• Rebalance the power of ownership by introducing safeguards to protect the public interest where significant land acquisitions take place and ensuring action can be taken when the power of ownership is misused.
• Put local communities at the heart of change by strengthening regional land use planning, giving communities and local authorities a decisive role in shaping land use decisions, and making local ownership and benefit a normal feature of renewable and climate investment

It makes clear that reform will require coordinated action across government — including more active use of public land, smarter use of tax and fiscal levers, stronger local powers to tackle stalled and derelict sites, and modern, joined-up land data systems to improve transparency and confidence

Speaking on publication, Michael Russell, Chair, said:

“Land shapes people’s lives from local places to our national economy. I want to thank everyone who took part in ScotLand Futures. The level of engagement shows how strongly people feel about ensuring land works well for Scotland’s future.

People across Scotland have told us they want land to work better for everyday life. This document sets out practical steps to open up new opportunities for ownership, strengthen local voice, and ensure our land system serves the public interest.

“For example, we propose a more active role for public land ownership to create new ownership opportunities for small-scale land holdings. We also propose much stronger regional and local land use decision making.

“Scotland has already taken important steps on land reform. People are now looking to complete this journey in a way that gives confidence and clarity.”

The Commission’s publication provides a basis for a practical programme of change. As well as drawing on engagement across Scotland, it learns from international experience which shows the need for an active state role, empowered local decision making and well-resourced intervention.   

The Commission will use the priorities identified in this publication to guide its future work programme and its advice to government.