Community land ownership can “out-perform” that of former private land ownership, a new set of independent results published by Community Land Scotland (CLS) has revealed.
The study, which dug into employment, businesses, housing, investment, development and population data for 12 communities operating in some of the country’s most remote areas, has been dubbed “remarkable” by the representative body for community owners.
It said the results, which have been revealed as the landowners’ organisation Scottish Land and Estates (SL&E) prepares to publish its own research into members’ economic contribution to rural Scotland, suggest community ownership represents a successful model of land ownership.
The report, funded jointly by Carnegie UK Trust and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, revealed that land under community ownership saw direct employment rise 368% to more than 100 jobs, business turnover increased 254% to more than £6 million annually, the value to local economies went up by 434% to £2.5m annually, while £34m of new investment has been delivered, with in excess of £25m more planned.
“The report demonstrates remarkable results showing that community ownership can out-perform the past private ownership of the land in question,” said CLS, publishing the report.
Commenting on the data, Community Land Scotland chairman David Cameron said: “These results are hugely encouraging and demonstrate that community land ownership can economically out-perform the past private ownership of the land in question.
“Investment is up, jobs numbers are up, housing development is up, business turnover is up, private enterprises numbers are up, and the population trends are very encouraging.”
Mr Cameron said the study “completely destroys” a myth that communities can only survive by the “supposed largesse” of private land owners with deep pockets and instead: “Shows the further economic potential for rural communities if more community ownership can be delivered.
“Community land owners are not only delivering at their own hand, this study shows that they are also facilitating other community enterprises and private businesses to invest and deliver more jobs too,” Mr Cameron said.
“The total value of the assets in community ownership is growing, delivering a positive public investment dividend, supporting further community-led investment, and showing the great public value community land ownership can yield.”
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse said the report reflected the “significant economic and social benefits” community ownership has to offer rural Scotland, not least by reversing population decline in some of Scotland’s most remote and fragile communities.
“It is local people who are best-placed to decide on the future of our land, which is why the First Minister announced an ambitious target to place one million acres of land across Scotland into local ownership by 2020,” he said.
Responding to the report, Sarah Jane Laing, director of policy and parliamentary affairs for SL&E, said: “Community ownership has been successful in a number of circumstances and should be encouraged where there is a willing seller, funds and resources available and a business plan that will take a landholding forward.
“A variety of ownership models exist in Scotland and the truth is that both private and community ownership can work well and often do so side by side.”
Equally, however, she said there are examples where both types of ownership can prove very challenging.
“There is plenty of evidence produced by respected independent organisations, and recognised by successive governments, that demonstrate the successes and benefits of private ownership,” Ms Laing said.
“It is disappointing that this is not acknowledged by Community Land Scotland in the same way that private owners acknowledge the benefits delivered through community ownership.
“The report implies the gains of private ownership only accrue to the private owner.
“This is not the case Scotland-wide as research has shown clearly that private estates deliver a wide range of benefits to local communities and we will be producing new research this week showing that the vast majority of expenditure by estates is in local areas and supports local jobs.”
The results of SL&E’s own rural economic study will be presented at its landowners’ conference, which takes place tomorrow in Edinburgh.