SNP opposes common good legal appeal

THE Scottish Government is opposing calls for "common good" land to be exempted from new laws which will see ownership of land and property held on long-term leases transferred for nominal sums.

The Evening News revealed last year how the former Waverley Market, now Princes Mall shopping centre, could be handed over to Sir David Murray for just 2.60.

His Premier Property Group took over the long-term lease of the land for 37 million in 2004 and pays the council 1p a year in rent. Under the legislation, anyone with a lease of more than 175 years with 100 years still to go will be given the land, subject only to a payment based on the current rent.

But community safety minister Fergus Ewing said a proposed exemption for "common good" land would open the door to frequent, expensive, litigation.