The right to buy land to further sustainable development: consultation analysis

Public Notice Of Application

Question 19

Do you agree with the Scottish Government’s proposals above for the advertisement of Part 5 right to buy applications?

• There were 17 responses to this question. Fifteen were in agreement with the proposals, and 1 respondent disagreed while 1 partially agreed.
• The James Hutton Institute suggest that displaying notices in relevant public venues, both at national and local scales be added to the mechanisms in the proposals. They said greater use can also be made of social media in the communication of Part 5 right-to-buy applications as this would increase the prospects of a wider local and national-level audience. They also said the proposals should take account of the scale of public interest in the Part 5 regulations, and recommend means by which the applications from a community body should identify and promote the public interest in conjunction with local community sustainable development.
• Scottish Land and Estates said that they would like to see both options, (a): a digital or paper edition of a newspaper circulating in an area where the community is located, and (b): a publicly accessible website included. They also said they would like to better understand the circumstances under which only one option would be used.
• The Scottish Churches Committee said that the advertisement should require to be in the newspaper with the largest circulation in the local area rather than just a newspaper circulating in the area.
• Another organisation noted that as in other areas consistency with the Part 3A 2003 Act regime seems sensible.

Scottish Government Response

Having considered the responses, the Scottish Government intends to allow for advertising in one or both of the following:

(a) a digital or paper edition of a newspaper circulating in the area where the community is located,

(b) a publicly accessible webpage or website maintained by Scottish Ministers for purposes which include making available for inspection any public notice of an application for consent under this regulation.