The SNP Government has launched a consultation on its draft proposal to improve transparency of land ownership in Scotland. The consultation concerns proposals that will help people and communities to know more about, and engage with, the individuals who control the decision making of land owners and tenants of land in Scotland.
The draft regulations propose to establish a new Register of Persons Holding a Controlling Interest in Land and to require categories of entities who may own land in Scotland, and where the controlling interests in the entities are not currently transparent, to make details of their controlling interests publicly available in the new Register.
The Register, which would be freely accessible to members of the public, would be the first to reveal the controlling interests of land owned by trusts and overseas companies.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“This consultation is a significant step in the progression of land reform. It is no longer acceptable for the identity of people making decisions about land in Scotland to be obscured and I am glad the SNP Government is tackling this head on.
“These proposals go further than any existing UK legislation, once again putting Scotland at the forefront in Europe.
"I would encourage anyone who is interested to participate in the consultation and express their views on the proposals in the draft regulations and on the proposed implementation of the new Register.”
The consultation closes on 08 November 2018. It can be accessed here .
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