The radical reform of land tenure forms a key plank of the Scottish Labour Party’s manifesto for elections to the new Scottish parliament.
The party has accepted the recommendations of the Land Reform Policy Group to abolish feudal tenure, replacing it with outright ownership, and to back compulsory purchase orders for major land sales where they could establish public interest. But the Scottish Landowners Federation has vowed to challenge any such legislation in the European Court.
There are further promises for flexible agricultural tenancy agreements, akin to the farm business tenancies that now exist south of the border.
But, to the relief of the property industry, controversial proposals to regulate all major sales has been scrapped.
There was concern at some agents with the “political fluff” in the document. Andrew Rettie head of Strutt & Parker’s estate agency in Scotland said the proposal to allow time to assess public interest in major sales was “typically vague”.
Jim Chankland, Chief Executive of property consultant Ryden said that the proposals represented a good balance between the interests of landowners and the general public. However, he believes the proposals for compulsory purchase orders would be difficult to put into practice. ” What we may have here is a procedure which is good in theory, but when it comes to be implemented will be ruined by a lengthy and cumbersome appeal process which entrench attitudes and sterilise change.
- The party also promises to build eight new hospitals to be largely financed through PFI.
EGi News 13/04/99
