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Scottish Community Land Newsletter May 2005 The Scottish Community Land Network (SCLN) aims to encourage community land initiatives (CLIs) throughout Scotland by the promotion, sharing of experience and networking of Scottish CLI groups.
_____________________________________________________________________ Hi all, Welcome to the first issue of what we hope will be an important resource for all community land initiatives. The Community Land Unit (CLU) Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) together with Lomond & Stirling Leader+ and North Highland Leader+ have funded the production of this e-newsletter and supporting website at www.communityland.org.uk (coming soon!). It is hoped that the e-newsletter will help inform CLIs by providing useful information about what is going on in the sector. As editor I hope to encourage the exchange of news, views, and best practise and facilitate the transfer of information and experience between community groups. Ultimately I hope that that an effective and organic movement will create its own network. A network is interconnected users, so without your input this will be a stale exercise of news reporting. So let’s hear what you have to say, what you've done or what you would like to see. Please distribute this freely to all your members, directors, friends etc. Thank you. Cheers Steve _____________________________________________________________________ News On 18th March the Scottish Executive granted Assynt Foundation community the right to buy Glencanisp and Drumrunie deer forests, and Glencanisp Lodge under Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The area of ground extends to some 45,000 acres and contains some of the most picturesque scenery in Scotland including the iconic mountains of Suilven, Canisp, Cul Mor and Cul Beag, the beautiful lochs of Veyatie, Cam, and parts of Assynt and Fionn lochs. It is hoped to create employment through development of the Lodge as a centre for deer stalking and angling, expand its ancient relic native forest, and to provide new opportunities for eco-tourism, crofting and other businesses. The lands are valued at £2,915,000 and the Scottish Land Fund has indicated that they would meet 50% of the acquisition cost. That leaves them only until the 3rd June to raise the outstanding deficit of £800,000. You can help the Assynt Foundation achieve their aspirations of community ownership by contributing to their appeal. Donations, large or small are welcome and should be sent to Assynt Foundation Appeal, 19 Badnaban, Lochinver. IV27 4LR or http://www.assyntfoundation.co.uk/donate.html ATTENTION To all CLIs please include a link and details to Assynt Foundation Appeal on your website, preferably on your home page. They have just over a month to raise £800,000 and to achieve their hopes of being another community empowered to determine their own future. The link is: http://www.assyntfoundation.co.uk/donate.html or by the old- fashioned way to: Assynt Foundation Appeal, 19 Badnaban, Lochinver. IV27 4LR Register Now! A project designed to raise awareness of the new ‘Community Right to HYPERLINK "http://www.scotland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2003/20030002.htm" \o "http://www.scotland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2003/20030002.htm" Buy’ legislation is issuing an urgent message to communities across Scotland to Register Now! Andy Wightman, author of Who Owns Scotland, and a leading authority on land ownership and land reform, is leading the project which is being supported by the Carnegie United Kingdom HYPERLINK "http://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/" \o "http://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/" Trust and Highland and Islands Enterprise. “The Land Reform Act came into force in June 2004 but I’m concerned that many communities remain unaware of the opportunities this important Act gives them.” said Andy. 'Although community ownership is very familiar to folk in the Western Isles, it may still be thought of very much in crofting terms. This Act, however, allows communities to register an interest in any land including small plots and buildings." The Act allows communities to register an interest in land. Wightman is particularly keen to stress that virtually all land in Scotland is eligible to be registered. “There is a perception that this law is only of relevance to communities in the Highlands and Islands. Nothing could be further from the truth. The most important opportunities are with communities in small towns the length and breadth of Scotland from Gretna Green to Lerwick. Indeed the only land that cannot be registered is land in settlements of over 10,000 population. This means that over 98.5% of the land area of Scotland can be registered by local communities.” Once registered, the land cannot be sold without the community having the opportunity to buy it. The legislation can be used to give communities the option to buy all types of land and property including farms and estates, individual fields and plots of land, local business premises such as the local Post Office, waste ground, industrial sites, housing or woodlands. “The important thing to remember”, argues Wightman, “is that if you fail to register and the land comes on the market, you will have to rely on provisions that allow the submission of “late” applications. These require a much stronger case to be made and it looks like this will become increasingly difficult.” “The message is simple”, says Andy. “If your community would like the option to purchase land and property in the future they need to Register Now! Remember, a registration does not oblige you to purchase the land in future - it merely gives you the option.” The project has launched a website at www.landreformact.com. Advice Notes 1 and 2 provide a good simple introduction to the Act and further information is available on the site. The Milton Community Woodlands Trust had its official opening of the new log workshop and store opened on the 30th April. This project will bring a range of benefits to Milton and the surrounding communities. The workshop space will provide a base for training courses and practical experience, which will help enhance the local skills base and give people greater opportunities for employment or small business development. For the full story see the HIE site. Congratulations to the Easdale Island Trust in securing ownership of its Harbour. With ownership they hope to advance several developments including waste and recycling, sewerage treatment, and harbour regeneration projects. Check them out at www.easdale.org Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust goes from strength to strength. Gigha’s achievements in its 3 short years of existence show all CLIs what can be achieved. Some of the main achievements include a 700 kW windpower project providing 2/3 of the islands electricity needs and its first revenue payment, the sale of building plots to Fyne Homes Housing Association for the building for 18 new affordable homes for let, 3 commercial units built by AIE, all let. What is really astounding are the underlying demographics. A reverse of the population decline from 97 to 125 significantly mostly young families or young adults with the school role increasing from 6 to 14. Eight business start-ups helping increase the island employment from 50 to 70 FTEs. A total of 23 building starts in 3 years (versus 1 in the previous 34 years). Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust has a new Chairman in Jim Hunter, recently retired from his role as Chairman of Highlands & Islands Enterprise. Simon Fraser, retiring Chairman, involved in Eigg from the beginning is rumoured to be feeling his age having celebrated his 50th this past weekend! As a part of the on-going croft re- organisation on Eigg 4 new crofts have been created and let, two absentee crofts have been sublet and a further absentee has returned. With a recent influx of 7 new individuals to the island, Eigg has seen its population increase by 26% since the buyout. Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, The Galson Trust, is a community trust representing over 1150 members and 22 crofting townships in north-western Lewis. It is currently completing its draft application for a community buyout under Part 3 of the Land Reform Act (Scotland) 2003. they are taking a dual approach to the buyout, continuing negotiations with the current landlords. The community will be given the final choice as to the best way to proceed. For further news check http://www.galsontrust.com/Pages/news.html Holmehill Ltd., a community group based in Dunblane have appealed the decision by Scottish Ministers to reject their application to be included the Register of Community Interest in Land for Holme Hill, Dunblane under the terms of Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Papers were lodged with Stirling Sheriff Court on Friday 29 April 2005. The appeal will be led by eminent counsel, John Campbell, the QC for the Holyrood inquiry. The appeal is seen as significant for communities across Scotland in relation to rights in submitting "late" applications for land registration. For complete documentation of the application to the Scottish Executive see the Register of Scotland site _____________________________________________________________________ Funding Scottish Land Fund (SLF) For communities seeking assistance for their property-based projects the Scottish Land Fund is the prime source of funding. The SLF is funded through the Big Lottery Fund (previously the New Opportunities Fund) and administered by the HIE through the Community Land Unit (CLU). The SLF's aim is to contribute to sustainable development in rural Scotland by assisting communities to acquire, develop and manage local land or land assets. New and existing community organisations are eligible to apply as long as they meet the principles of community benefit, open membership, equal representation and non-profit distribution. Partnership or consortium arrangement can also be eligible as long as the land is held for community benefit and the community representatives are the single largest constituency on the Board (i.e. more than 50%). These other partners might include the local authority, relevant agencies, conservation bodies and neighbouring landowners. There are 3 types of projects funded. 1) Planning and preparations of bids often including feasibility studies, legal advice and community consultation. 2) The acquisition of land including woodlands, smaller plots for amenity social recreational and development needs and the provision of building based projects. 3) Land development projects including revenue infrastructure developments to meet local servicing needs, and the provision of facilities with clear economic and social benefits. For assistance or applications for the SLF contact the CLU For examples, a complete listing of projects can be downloaded at http://www.hie.co.uk/slfachievements.htm. There are of course many other significant sources of funding and certain groups that will not qualify for the SLF. We will look at these in future issues. _____________________________________________________________________ Housing The publicity surrounding the community land movement in Scotland has been dominated by local community buyouts of large estates. I suspect this will change with the majority of community land initiatives being about securing land for affordable housing and amenity. We will look at this in more depth in the future issues but meantime the Mayor of London has produced a hefty tome as a report on supplying social housing needs through community trusts. Interesting reading, it can be downloaded (Mind its 606Kb) from http://www.andywightman.com/docs/community_land_trusts_models.pdf _____________________________________________________________________ Featured CLI – Assynt Crofters Trust Assynt Crofters Trust will always hold a special place in the hearts of anyone passionate about land reform. They blazed a trail in community ownership when there was little official support for or even recognition of communities’ aspirations to hold their destiny in their own hands. They produced the early heroes of the community land movement that we all looked to for inspiration. They have more recently been derided for being an unrepresentative body. It must be remembered that they built their organisation from scratch with no historical model, legislative guidelines or agency support. Using the few advantages they have, they achieved much from scant resources. If they find themselves not exactly PC, I’m sure that time will look on them more favourably. In 1992 the North Assynt Estate, in Sutherland, was put on the market in seven lots. To prevent further fragmentation of the estate and to bring it back into local ownership the Assynt Crofters Trust was formed in 1992. The Trust successfully mounted a bid for the purchase of the Estate. Although the original asking price was in excess of £1 million, the Trust negotiated a purchase price of £300,000. This was funded from a public appeal; Assynt crofter’s pledges and grant aid from public. The Assynt Crofters Trust comprises a land area 21,500 acres and includes 182 crofts. Membership of the trust is open to tenants and registered sub-tenants of crofts, and owner-occupiers with shares in the common grazings. There are currently 126 members out of a possible total of approximately 140. On the estate there live about 400 people, of whom about 25 per cent are permanent non-crofting residents, who are part of the larger community of Assynt which numbers over 1,300, the great majority of whom live in or close to Lochinver. On the estate there are approximately 300 houses, of which 76 are holiday homes. The trust is a company limited by guarantee. It has a board of 14 members – 12 members representing each of the 12 townships on the estate together with 2 co-opted directors who have specialist experience in fishing and shooting. The trust does not have charitable status.. The trust has been involved in the many activities and initiatives including: advice and guidance on crofting; agriculture including the development of new crofts; development of trout fishing and shooting; management of woodlands and forestry; developing tourism in the area (the buyout received significant media and public interest which initially brought significant numbers of visitors into the area); research into housing needs and assistance with the development of new housing; and research into the development of renewable energy and the commissioning of a hydro scheme. Directly these have created a number of full time jobs, seasonal jobs, and generally introduced a number of new skills to the community helping to keep members of the community that would have otherwise left for lack of opportunities. This was recently capped by Assynt’s fantastic 10th Anniversary Celebration, “The Fling in the Fank”, largely run and organised by the local youth, celebrating the community land movement and looking forward to the future developments in CLIs. For a more detailed study read John MacKenzies The Assynt Experience. And for a gripping tale of the Assynt Crofters battle read John MacAskill’s “We Have Won the Land” published by Acair _______________________________________________________________ Bits and pieces – Ideas from all over Needed 2 acres anywhere in Scotland! Isla MacArthur, born in Dunblane, living in Oxford doing a Soc Science degree studying use of worms for organic waste management, wants 2 acres of land anywhere in Scotland, islands included. She will buy or rent. She would put a mobile home on the land and reckons she would start a worm business and employ people. Contact her on 01367 810146. Sunart Oakwoods Initiative recently had an open day to a new All Abilities Wildlife Hide at Loch Sunart to highlight the Ardnamurchan area and its visitor attractions including walks, natural environment, history and culture Duror and Kentallen community fearing a loss of their only store and sub post office set up a community enterprise company to buy out the premises. They have just appointed a new couple to manage the business. There are plans for a bigger facility with a tea room and gift shop. The community in Staffin, North Skye has just opened the Oystercatcher Charity Café in the village’s community hall both as a needed amenity and as a fund raiser for the refurbishment or replacement of the existing hall. Currently they are awaiting a funding application to support two full time employees. A proposed community heating scheme in Wick has won accolade from the Carbon Trust 2005 Innovation Award. A not for profit company plans to run the Britain’s first community heat and power scheme powered by waste wood. North Argyll Community Trust with The Taynuilt Community Council is to improved access to the first monument to be erected to Nelsons victory at Trafalgar. The standing stone was erected by workers at the Bonawe Furnace where supplied the cannon balls for the Battle of Trafalgar. An all ability path and interpretation are part of the project. The Navy will be kicking off a season of nation wide celebrations of the 200th Anniversary of the battle with a visit to the memorial on June 11th. North and New Shawbost Grazings Committee, west Lewis, have made the first moves to establish a constituted community body to progress proposals for a community–owned wind energy development. Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, Galson Trust, has also taken the initiative over the last two months to submit an application to all relevant agencies for the funding of a Ranger Service for the Galson area that will be administered by the Urras. Part-funding has already been assured and a further update on this initiative should be available shortly. _____________________________________________________________________ A View from the Hills As this is the first issue I won’t pitch straight into battle but here are some thoughts that might stimulate discussion. The Land Reform (Scotland)Act 2003, as important as it is to the growing community land movement, is showing its shortcomings. Of the first 18 applications under Part 2, 15 were submitted after the properties were put up for sale using ‘late registration’ procedures, a possible exclusion for being included in the Register of Community Interest in Land. The Scottish Executive Ministers have recently disallowed a late registration attempt by the Holmehill community initiative near Dunblane (see above). The community will be challenging this decision. Part 3 of the Act may prove to have further difficulties, with communities having to map out very detailed property boundaries which can include up to hundreds of separate feus, opening any number of possibilities for challenges by the private landowners. This again is being thoughtfully dealt with by the Galson Trust. In both cases communities are not taking the difficulties of the legislation lying down and will hopefully set precedents and inspiration for future community initiatives. Agree, disagree or have an opinion you would like to include contact
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_____________________________________________________________________ Links The Land Reform Act Community Land Unit Highlands and Islands Enterprise Lomond & Stirling Leader+ North Highland Leader+ Assynt Foundation Community Right to Buy Milton Community Woodlands Trust Easdale Island Trust Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust The Galson Trust Holmehill Ltd. Scottish Land Fund New Opportunities Fund Assynt Crofters Trust The Assynt Experience Acair Carbon Trust Knoydart Foundation Highlands & Islands Community Energy Company Promoting Unst’s Renewable Energy Community Woodlands Association North Harris Trust North Highland Forest Trust http://www.whoownsscotland.org.uk http://www.andywightman.com http://andywightman.blogspot.com/ http://www.landreformact.com http://www.caledonia.org.uk/land http://www.community-woods.org.uk/
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