Guidance on Engaging Communities in Decisions Relating to Land

Overview

Under Part 4 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the Act”), Scottish Ministers have a duty to issue “guidance about engaging communities in decisions relating to land which may affect communities” (“the Guidance”).

The purpose of the Guidance is to encourage land owners and land managers to develop co-operative and positive working relationships with local communities. The aim is to support good working practices that can lead to mutually beneficial solutions to land-related problems and better local outcomes for economic, environmental, social or cultural issues.

The consultation seeks the views of key stakeholders on the draft Guidance.

Why your views matter

The future success of the guidance will require collective buy-in and promotion of the importance of engagement. As part of the development of the guidance, this consultation will ensure that all those who have a view on engaging communities with regard to decisions about land can contribute to that development process.

What happens next

Where respondents have given permission for their response to be made public, and after we have checked that they contain no potentially defamatory material, responses will be made available to the public at http://consult.scotland.gov.uk. If you use Citizen Space to respond, you will receive a copy of your response via email.

Following the closing date, all responses will be analysed and considered along with any other available evidence to help us. Responses will be published where we have been given permission to do so.

The final Guidance will be laid before the Scottish Parliament in summer 2017.