SEBG News Archive
Estates urge Ministers to target funds to those areas that need them
November 2003/TBCThe Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG) has challenged the proposal from Ministers to increase the population threshold on the Community Right to Buy from 3,000 to 10,000. In its response to the consultation on the draft regulations, submitted today (Friday), SEBG has asked the Executive to reflect on the guidance of the Land Reform Policy Group which identified that the right to buy should apply only to fragile rural areas, not towns with healthy populations.
Sandy Lewis, Chairman of SEBG said: "We question the Ministers' proposal to increase the threshold. We do not agree that communities up to 10,000 in rural areas display the characteristics of smaller settlements. These communities are no different to those on the urban fringe and the proposal could see vital funds therefore diverted from the most fragile of areas. These funds would help to sustain the vibrancy of these remote communities, but will have limited impact on bigger towns.
"Additionally, we do not believe that the constraints affecting rural settlements are linked to who owns land but rather from failures in the planning system, such inflexibility and delay, in national housing policies and local government's inability to improve public services. The contribution of private estates to the rural economy and communities is often overlooked by the perception that community ownership will deliver greater local benefit. We urge that Ministers examine ways to encourage private enterprise, which in turn brings social, environmental and economic rewards. It is SEBG's belief that available resources should be targeted in these directions.
"We would also encourage communities with requirements for land to discuss these with the local landowners in the first instance. In many cases the landowner will be able to assist immediately."
