Steve's Newsletters

2005 May

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.

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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

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News

On 18^th 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 3^rd 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 30^th 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

50^th 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

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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.

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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

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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 10^th 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

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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 200^th Anniversary of the battle with a visit to

the memorial on June 11^th.

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.

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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

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .uk

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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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