Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown backs new Land Reform change in Parliament

Local SNP MSP Siobhian Brown has backed the Scottish Government’s recent Land Reform Bill, which has passed its final stage in Parliament, giving more power over decisions on land back to local communities, including here in South Ayrshire.

The Bill, dubbed the most radical land reform legislation in the history of devolution, includes a range of measures to improve decisions on land including:

·       Giving Scottish Ministers new lotting powers on land sales over 1,000 hectares.

·       Ensuring communities are informed when an estate is being sold.

·       Mandatory community engagement in land management.

·       The creation of a new Land and Communities Commissioner to oversee compliance with land management obligations.

Commenting, local MSP Siobhian Brown said:

“The SNP has a proud record on land reform, and this week MSPs voted to keep Scotland moving forward on that land reform journey.

“For too long, too much control over land has been hoarded by too few – these proposals mark a watershed moment for land reform, and I am proud that Parliament has backed them despite the Tories once again standing with big landowners rather than local communities. 

“Only the SNP can keep Scotland moving on the land reform journey - and we could go even further with the full powers of independence.”