Land ownership

I was disappointed and somewhat surprised by the reaction of David Cameron, of Community Land Scotland, to the launch of a new landowners’ charter by Scottish Land & Estates (your 
report, 15 September).

The charter sets out a set of principles on how landowners should operate, something that has been sought by and 
welcomed across the political divide.

Scottish Land & Estates is pro-community land ownership, as we have said many times, where someone wants to sell land and there is a demand for it.

There are numerous examples of landowners helping to facilitate and actively encouraging community involvement in land management.

The principles set out in the charter should apply to all landowners, be they private, community or public bodies. The issue of absentee landowners is something of a sideshow as there are many whose ownership and management is exemplary.

Equally, there are resident landowners who could and should engage better with the communities in which they live.

This is a time when we are extolling all landowners to demonstrate best practice at all times and perhaps Mr Cameron should consider taking a less divisive approach.

Community and private ownership can and do work well alongside each other. It’s not either or.

David Johnstone

Scottish Land & Estates

Eskmills Business Park

Musselburgh