CROFTING REFORM BILL PROPOSALS (11/05/06)

Proposals in the Crofting Reform Bill could significantly help in the development of crofting businesses and lifestyles, according to Forestry Commission Scotland.

The Bill, being considered today by the Scottish Parliament’s Environment and Rural Development Committee, will allow new crofts to be created in or next to existing woodlands on the national forest estate.

Communities would apply to buy land through the Commission’s National Forest Land Scheme, which will be amended to take account of this new opportunity proposed in the Bill.

Officials from Forestry Commission Scotland today gave evidence to the Committee on how the national forest estate can play a bigger role in helping to develop crofting.
Bob McIntosh, Director of Forestry Commission Scotland said:

"The proposals in the Crofting Reform Bill give us an exciting opportunity to use national forest land to develop crofting businesses and lifestyles.

“New crofts could provide much needed sites for new homes or businesses, generate enthusiasm for woodland development in the community and potentially stimulate wood-fuel projects. There is a great demand for new crofts and the Bill could help develop a stronger crofting community in Scotland.”

Forestry already plays a role in the development of rural communities by working with housing organisations to provide sites for affordable housing; giving communities the opportunity to buy land under the National Forest Land Scheme; through the successful crofter forestry initiative which encourages crofting communities to establish new woodlands; and through the Highland locational premium, a forestry grant which provides incentives to add value locally through the planting and management of woodlands for local use.