Public in favour of proposals on sale of land

Political Editor

Wednesday 13 February 2013

PLANS to give urban communities the right to buy buildings or land in their area have won strong public backing.

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Magnus Gardham Political Editor

A Government consultation aimed at the public found 73% were in favour of the move.

Another 66% said communities should have the right to take over unused land and turn it into allotments or gardens while the owner waited to develop it, a plan called the "community right to grow".

The two schemes are part of the Scottish Government's proposed Community Empowerment Bill which is set to give communities and local groups wide-ranging new rights.One measure would create an "urban right to buy," mirroring landmark legislation which gives rural communities first refusal to buy the land they work in.Since 2003, rural communities have been able to register an interest in buying land and have a right to buy it if it is up for sale.A Government report said: "Most people thought communities in towns and cities should have the same right to buy land and buildings for sale in their area. They also thought it should work in the same way as the right works in rural areas."Many people thought this right would help them to do something about empty land or buildings. They thought it could help them provide a new facility for their area, or save an old facility, like a park."The Government's full consultation, published last month and reflecting nearly 450 views, revealed opposition from business organisations but still found a majority in favour.Among those opposed was CBI Scotland, which said it would make it harder to attract investment into vacant or derelict land.Local government and planning minister Derek Mackay said: "The response reinforces this Government's view that local people have so much to contribute."

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Local government

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Public in favour of proposals on sale of land

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