Five years on, seeds of doubt still flourish over crofting reform

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 21:09

A NEW bill to plot the future of crofting will be presented to the Scottish Parliament by Christmas but crofting communities are divided on the way forward, five years after reform was first mooted.

The Scottish Government publishes an analysis of responses to the Draft Crofting Reform Bill today. Despite consensus that land speculation, absenteeism and restructuring the Crofters Commission need to be tackled, there remains division on how to proceed.

In September, the environment minister, Roseanna Cunningham, dropped a controversial occupancy proposal, that would have meant houses built on former croft land had to be used as main residences.

This was meant to tackle speculation and stem holiday home development. It drew

236 representations with 191 against the principle and just 45 in favour.

Ninety people or groups thought the proposal was unfair. Netta Mackenzie of the Crofters Reform Committee, said it was "total madness" and "contrary to human rights law and natural justice".

Using an occupancy requirement only in areas with a definite problem of second homes was supported by 50 respondents. In its submission, the Scottish Crofting Foundation said: "Many areas do not have a problem with holiday homes so an occupancy requirement on new-builds would only be appropriate in pressured areas".

Two of the seven local authorities who replied were opposed to the occupancy plan, while two others agreed to it in principle.

But among those to support it were the North Harris Trust and Plockton common grazing committee in Wester Ross – both areas where second and holiday homes are a major concern – as well as the National Trust for Scotland (NTS).

Ms Cunningham said: "There is widespread agreement that absenteeism, neglect and speculation must be tackled to safeguard the future of crofting. I am working with crofters, their representatives and all political parties to reach consensus on how best to tackle these issues and to safeguard this way of life for future generations.

"We are nearing the end of this process and our commitment to bring forward a bill is absolute."

The responses show there is support for a more democratic and accountable Crofters Commission, but concern over plans to create six area committees.

A total of 205 of 265 responses were against the plan. Twelve grazings committees were in favour but 28 against. Scottish Natural Heritage backed the move but many communities felt they would not work.

Opinion was split on moves to expand the commission's powers – of the 155 responses, 79 were in favour and 76 against. While some felt it should be streamlined, others felt it should be disbanded or have its powers curbed