OUR connection to the land and sea runs deep. So it’s no surprise that, since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, opportunities for communities to manage local land have increased significantly.

This is partly due to legislation and the Government’s land reform policies but it is equally the result of dedicated people finding successful ways of using local assets to achieve shared goals. These have ranged from community land buyouts to the creation of urban development trusts.

Crown Estate Scotland has launched a pilot scheme that opens up coastline, seabed and rural land to local management. We want this scheme to work so we spoke to many organisations when we developed it and designed the process carefully to ensure it is straightforward and simple. We’ve also appointed a local pilots manager who will coordinate contact with potential applicants. Communities and local authorities can apply to us to manage Scottish Crown Estate assets in a way that will improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their local area.

The Scottish Crown Estate Bill, which is before the Scottish Parliament, includes provisions for local management of these assets. This pilot scheme will allow us to try out different approaches and new and innovative ways of engaging communities and interest groups in shaping the future of Scottish Crown Estate land, foreshore and seabed.

We’re excited about the opportunities and we are keen to learn about ideas that will win the support of local people, including existing tenants, and that will use Scottish Crown Estate assets to promote sustainable development.

We’re not looking for a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Each area in which we work has different needs, interests and ambitions and we would like to see diversity reflected in the proposals that come forward. There are many examples of good practice in community management of assets and this new scheme will strengthen our understanding of different approaches, particularly in rural and coastal environments.

This is not about transferring management for its own sake. It’s about developing new ways of managing natural resources that will increase the benefits while also safeguarding the value of the asset.

Those benefits might be about reducing carbon emissions or mitigating climate change, promoting inclusive economic growth, aiding local decision-making or improving the environment. This will require collaboration between interest groups, balancing the needs of different users and the wider community.

We know that taking on management of assets also requires knowledge and expertise. We’re not expecting people to do this entirely on their own. Our staff will be able to help groups to develop their plans, sharing our experience and expertise.

The connection between our people and the land and sea is strong. For some of our tenants such as farmers and fish-farm operators this connection is based on building and operating their businesses. For others, such as mooring users and anglers, it can be about recreation and connecting with our treasured landscapes and wildlife. However, it’s also an emotional connection, tied to the local environment, local identity and a shared sense of community.

Through our pilot scheme we hope to release some of that passion, commitment and spirit of enterprise that will help to make more of our precious natural resources.

To find out more go to: www.crownestatescotland.com/the-assets/local-management