Community land ownership

The community land unit has assisted many groups with community buy-outs.  This approach can bring development under the control of the local community, providing a robust and open process is adopted.

Further information is given in our publication Guidance on community land ownership which can be downloaded on the right.

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.  You can access a model constitution and guidance notes from our useful resources section.