Farmers and rural communities will now have a stronger voice in the management of Scottish Crown Estate assets.
Under reforms passed by the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Crown Estate Bill establishes a framework to deliver wider benefits and new opportunities for local control of these assets, while recognising that some may still need to be managed at the national level.
The bill represents a significant step in reforming the management of the Scottish Crown Estate and in empowering local communities.
Crown Estate Scotland manages assets that stretch the length and breadth of Scotland, including agricultural and forestry land, most of the seabed, just under half of the foreshore and some commercial property.
The Crown Estate owns 37,000 hectares of rural land with agricultural tenancies, residential and commercial properties and forestry on four rural estates, Glenlivet, Fochabers, Applegirth and Whitehill.
Simon Hodge, Crown Estate Scotland Chief Executive, said the new bill will help estate tenants gain "clarity and certainty" about how the land and property they depend on may be managed in the future.
“Since starting operation in April 2017, we’ve worked hard to deliver wider economic, social and environmental value for Scotland, as well as returning profits to the Scottish Government," Mr Hodge said.
"This includes ambitious proposals for new offshore wind leasing, a scheme to devolve management of land and property to local bodies, a £4.5m rural investment plan and much more. "
The Bill, when enacted, will make various changes including:
• Providing for other bodies to take on management of assets to enable local control
• Requiring Scottish Ministers to approve sales of any seabed, recognising the strategic national importance of this asset
• Removing ’Interim Management’ from our title, giving us permanence and helping us plan for long-term success
