Scottish vision for land rights and responsibilities is hailed as a ‘world first’

The Scottish Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement outlines what the Government hopes will be a strong and dynamic relationship between its land and people, where rights and responsibilities are fully recognised and fulfilled.

Announcing the publication of the statement at the Scottish Land Commission Conference in Dunfermline, Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said: “I’m proud that this statement about land rights and responsibilities is the first of its kind anywhere in the world. I am sure it will play an important role in shaping the thinking on land issues in Scotland in the years to come.

“It rightly promotes and supports a human rights approach to land and will contribute to securing rights, equality and wellbeing by balancing public and private interests.

“Setting out this vision signals our determination to continue to lead the way in ensuring Scotland’s urban and rural land plays a full role in promoting inclusive growth, a sustainable economy and social justice.”

The statement will support greater diversity of ownership, including more community ownership, high standards and transparency of land ownership and use, and greater collaboration and community engagement in decisions about land. Together with the Scottish Land Commission’s Strategic Plan, the Government says the statement underlines its commitment to ongoing land reform.

The six principles at the core of the statement are that the overall framework of land rights, responsibilities and public policies should promote, fulfil and respect relevant human rights in relation to land, contribute to public interest and wellbeing, and balance public and private interests.

The framework should support sustainable economic development, protect and enhance the environment, help achieve social justice and build a fairer society. Secondly, there should be a more diverse pattern of land ownership and tenure, with more opportunities for citizens to own, lease and have access to land.

More local communities should have the opportunity to own, lease or use buildings and land which can contribute to their community’s wellbeing and future

The fourth principle is that the holders of land rights should exercise these rights in ways that take account of their responsibilities to meet high standards of land ownership, management and use. The Statement adds: “Acting as the stewards of Scotland’s land resource for future generations they contribute to sustainable growth and a modern, successful country.”

There should also be improved transparency of information about the ownership, use and management of land, and this should be publicly available, clear and contain relevant detail.

Lastly, there should be greater collaboration and community engagement in decisions about land.

In her introduction to the Statement, the minister writes: “There are, of course, different views on how we can best ensure that the relationship between Scotland’s land and its people is strengthened and how we should ensure that Scotland’s land contributes to the common good, while properly balancing public and private interests.

“I welcome the ongoing debate on the approach we adopt to land in Scotland and I am delighted that it will be informed by the work of the new Scottish Land Commission, which was formally established in April this year and is already beginning to provide drive and focus on a range of land issues.

“The Land Commission will have regard to the Scottish Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement when carrying out its work.”