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Land reform debated at major conference in Edinburgh Minister says 'strong support' for land reform in Scotland
(about 10 hours later)
The Scottish government's plans for land reform are to come under scrutiny at a conference in Edinburgh. A Scottish government minister has told a conference in Edinburgh there was "strong support" for land reform.
It has been organised by the landowners' organisation, Scottish Land and Estates. Aileen McLeod also said she wanted to see "much more" land brought into community ownership.
Debate will focus on ways to "deliver public benefits from private land". The issue is highly topical. The one-day event has been organised by the landowners' organisation, Scottish Land and Estates.
The conference will hear from Dr Aileen McLeod, minister for Environment, Climate change and Land Reform. The Scottish government's plan to introduce a Land Reform Bill at Holyrood before the summer recess has sparked controversy.
The Scottish government is expected to introduce a Land Reform Bill at Holyrood before the summer recess. Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser condemned the Holyrood administration's proposed reforms as "a Big Brother-style land grab".
And David Johnstone, chairman of Scottish Land and Estates, which speaks for private landowners, said the there was already hard work being done to back Scottish government aims, such as renewable energy, agriculture, housing and tourism.
In her address to the conference, Ms McLeod, who is minister for environment, climate change and land reform, said there was "strong public support" for a land reform bill and that broader benefits would flow from the changes.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already pledged to take action against landowners who pose a "barrier" to development.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already pledged to take action against landowners who pose a "barrier" to development.
Ms Sturgeon has also said business rate exemptions for shooting and deerstalking estates will be scrapped as part of a series of "radical" reforms.Ms Sturgeon has also said business rate exemptions for shooting and deerstalking estates will be scrapped as part of a series of "radical" reforms.
Greater diversity
Speaking in November 2014, the first minister told MSPs the move would allow for the fund which supports community land ownership to be increased from £3m to £10m a year.Speaking in November 2014, the first minister told MSPs the move would allow for the fund which supports community land ownership to be increased from £3m to £10m a year.
Scottish Land and Estates said private landowners were already playing an important role in helping ministers meet their policy objectives in areas such as renewable energy, agriculture, housing and tourism.
Dr McLeod is expected to say the government's reforms will be of long-term benefit to everyone with a stake in the future of land ownership and land management in Scotland.
The minister is also expected to argue there must be improved collaboration between communities and land owners, as well as greater diversity of land ownership.