Ross-shire residents have made the 100th registration to buy local land under the community right to buy legislation. Evanton Wood Community Company, near Dingwall, have registered to buy 64 acres of mature, mixed woodland on the Novar Estate in Ross-shire. The company proposes to maintain Evanton Wood while undertaking some improvements to roads and paths. The creation of a shelter, toilets and information will boost the amenity for visitors. Environment Minister Michael Russell, said: “The community right to buy is incredibly important, particularly to rural Scotland. Giving communities control over the way their land is managed inspires greater power to shape their own futures, creates a strong sense of ownership and provides rights and opportunities to help realise local ambitions. Rural communities throughout Scotland are continuing to recognise the real benefits of the community right to buy legislation. As a result registrations have been made on a wide range of assets including churches, woods, fields, estates, a golf course, a youth hostel and even an avenue of trees. The legislation has been very popular. However, there is more which can be done to assist community bodies in working their way through the processes and we’ll be providing further help for them in 2009.” Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides an opportunity for communities to register an interest in and then buy land when it comes up for sale. The first registration under the Act was made on September 1, 2004 when Boddam Development Trust registered to buy the RAF Buchan Playing Field or Recreational Park. Taking gained experience into account, there are plans to publish revised guidance in the Spring of next year. The Scottish Government website will also launch the Rural Communities Mapping Tool enabling the public to identify the post codes used to define their communities under the legislation.

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2 January 2009
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