Aileen McLeod to ask Land Commission to review Common Land

The Scottish Government will today announce plans to review the protection of common land.

Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod will tell the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE) she is referring the issue of Common Land to the new Scottish Land Commission for review.

The Land Commission, which has not yet been established, will be tasked with reviewing how policy relates to Scotland’s land and recommend changes.

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The Scottish Government says it is concerned there may be insufficient protection for common land in Scotland and that individuals could use existing legislation and procedures to claim common land against the wider interest.

Dr McLeod said: “There is widespread interest in Common Land the length and breadth of Scotland. The Scottish Government is very keen that Common Land is protected and I will be informing Parliament today that once the new Scottish Land Commission is up and running the Government will refer the issue of Common Land to them to review.

“It is a sign of the need for our current Land Reform work that genuine concerns are raised about the need to protect common land. The Scottish Government shares these concerns, which is why we see this as a priority for the new Commission.

“This review would also cover Common Good land, held by local authorities.”

McLeod will also write to the Scottish Law Commission to request a review of the Division of Commonties Act 1695, with a view to its repeal.