Land Reform

Most land reform proposals received over 70 per cent support from respondents, according to the consultation analysis published today.

The analysis showed that:

• 75 per cent of respondents agreed with the proposal to set up a Land Reform Commission
• 87 per cent of respondents agreed with the proposal to introduce a land rights and responsibilities policy
• 88 per cent of respondents agreed with the proposal to improve information on land, its value and its ownership
• 71 per cent of respondents agreed with the proposal to remove the exemption from business rates for shooting and deerstalking

The recent consultation on land reform received 1269 responses from organisations, individuals and campaigns.

Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Dr Aileen McLeod said:

"Land is one of our most valuable assets and our vision for land reform is for a stronger relationship between the people of Scotland and the land of Scotland, where ownership and use of the land delivers greater public benefits.

"Through the Land Reform Bill, one of our key aims is to remove barriers to communities’ sustainable development by ensuring greater collaboration between communities and land owners.

"The consultation on land reform received a huge number of responses showing the high level of public interest and support for improving how Scotland’s land works for the people of Scotland.

"The analysis shows most proposals received over 70 per cent support with respondents giving a wide range of helpful detail on their reasoning for support or opposition.

"The Scottish Government is committed to meaningful land reform and we have been carefully considering the responses to the consultation alongside other evidence to shape the development of the Bill."