Small landholdings modernisation: consultation analysis

Annex 3. Coding framework example

Table 2 provides an example taken from the coding framework, and lists the codes and sub-codes used to analyse responses to question 1a:

• ‘Do you agree that providing small landholders with the right to buy the land under their homes and their gardens could give small landholders greater security and allow them to invest into their small landholding and business with confidence? Please give reasons for your answer.’

Table 2. Coding framework example

Agricultural tenancy points

• Need for alignment with crofting legislation
• Incompatibility with current legislation in crofting counties
• Need for a Relinquishment Provision
• Small landholders already have enough security
• It will make no difference
• Will depend on small landholders’ use of this opportunity
• Need for fairness across different types of land tenure
• Need for simplicity and consistency
• Pre-emptive right to buy would enable better estate management and decision making
• Risk of uncertainty about which regime small landholders are operating under
• How would the right to buy be recorded
• Importance of listening to those directly affected

Specific points, for example financial aspects, upkeep of buildings

• Will encourage upkeep of buildings
• Ability to invest financially, plan business - greater security and stability
• This would help small landholders gain financial support, for example loans, mortgage
• Expense / labour in maintaining buildings
• Potential impact on landowner / estate
• Critique of landlords, for example absent landlords

Long-term impacts

• Environmental benefits of improvements
• Longer term impact - sale of land in future
• Will no longer be a small holding - long-term impact and future issues, for example in separating house and land
• Not in the best interests of the tenanted sector
• Impact on new entrants, future tenants and so on.

Queries

• Query - more information requested