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HIE's community land team

The community land unit (CLU) was established by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in 1997.

The aim of the team is to increase the role of communities in the ownership and management of land and land assets, and the sustainable management of these resources for the benefit of the community. In the process of achieving its aims and objectives, the team will encourage diversity and experimentation in community land initiatives. Further information is given in our publication Guidance on community land ownership – see related documents.

The Land Reform ( Scotland) Act 2003 offers many new opportunities for community groups to own and manage the land where they live and work. An introduction to the main features of the community right to buy and crofting community right to buy is given in the downloadable documents, right.

To register a community interest in land under the community right to buy, an interested group must form a community body. This has to be a company limited by guarantee with no fewer than 20 members and the majority of members from the local community.

HIE’s community land unit has developed a model memorandum and articles of association that can be used to form an appropriately constituted company as a community body.

This document, Model Memorandum and Articles of Association for a Community Body, is also available in downloadable format on the right. It includes explanatory notes on how to use the model and the procedure for incorporation.

Key links

Useful links for community land projects Links to sites of interest for community land projects.How the Community Land Unit can help you These pages outline the background to HIE's community land team and present its aims and objectives.Growing Community Assets - building design framework In order to achieve the Growing Community Assets programme outcome of a 'more positive impact on the environment' BIG will support the design and construction of sustainable community buildings.The Crown Estate in Scotland report Publication of 'The Crown Estate in Scotland – New Opportunities for Public Benefits'. This report was commissioned by the Crown Estate Review Working Group.Interposed leases and crofting - a legal opinion on the matter from Roderick Paisley, Professor of Commercial Property Law at Aberdeen University. Part 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 creates circumstances in which a crofting community body may be permitted to acquire croft land associated with that crofting community. The purpose being that land ownership can help deliver a range of economic, social and environmental benefits and thereby help sustain rural communities. However, it has become apparent that some owners of crofting estates have leased the land asset to one or more third parties. This third party could be a windfarm operator, a company controlled by the estate owner or both.The Scottish Land Fund The Scottish Land Fund grant programme is now closed to further applications. It has been succeeded by the Big Lottery Fund programme - Growing Community Assets.

About the Scottish Highlands and Islands Learn more about the Scottish Highlands and Islands.HIE area maps Maps of Local Enterprise Companies in the Highlands and Islands of ScotlandHighlands and Islands Community Energy Company HICEC's aim is for all communities across the Highlands and Islands to be able to generate and use renewable energy for their long term and collective benefit.Links to Highlands and Islands community websites The Highlands and Islands is full of active communities - many with their own internet sites. These websites, many supported by the HIE Network, demonstrate the resourcefulness and skills of the area's people.Area economic profiles Demographic and economic changes within different parts of the Highlands and Islands (2007).

Related documents

Guidance on Community Land Ownership (PDF 1.4 MB)
Download time approx. 7m 22s at 28 Kbps Download time approx. 4m 41s at 56 Kbps Download time approx. 2m 37s at 128 Kbps Download time approx. 0m 24s at 512 Kbps

Crofting community right to buy - introduction to part 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (PDF 231.0 KB)
Download time approx. 1m 8s at 28 Kbps Download time approx. 1m 34s at 56 Kbps Download time approx. 0m 15s at 128 Kbps Download time approx. 0m 4s at 512 Kbps

Community right to buy - an introduction to part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (PDF 262.5 KB)
Download time approx. 1m 17s at 28 Kbps Download time approx. 1m 38s at 56 Kbps Download time approx. 0m 17s at 128 Kbps Download time approx. 0m 4s at 512 Kbps

Model memorandum and articles of association (DOC 384.0 KB)
Download time approx. 2m 52s at 28 Kbps Download time approx. 1m 56s at 56 Kbps Download time approx. 0m 25s at 128 Kbps Download time approx. 0m 6s at 512 Kbps

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