Introduction
In June of this year Derek Mackay, Minister of Local Government
and Planning, launched an exploratory consultation on a range of
ideas for the proposed Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill
designed to:
- strengthen community participation
- unlock enterprising community development, and
- renew our communities
Arguably, one of the most controversial ideas floated in the
consultation paper was the possible extension of a community right
to buy to urban Scotland.
Existing Community Right to Buy in Rural Areas
At present, under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, community
bodies may in certain circumstances exercise a right to buy land
and buildings in rural areas of Scotland. There are a number
of pre-conditions under the 2003 Act - including that the land in
question must be located within a settlement with a population not
exceeding 10,000 people - which currently effectively excludes any
land or buildings located within any urban area
