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The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill plans to give greater transparency over how land is owned and managed. The Bill, currently at Stage 2 in the Scottish Parliament, aims to increase transparency of large landholdings, by making information about them publicly available. In turn, Scottish Government hopes that this will provide communities with more of a say in decisions relating to land and ultimately increased opportunity to own land.
One of the key proposals under parliamentary discussion is the requirement for landowners with holdings exceeding 3,000 hectares to produce and publish a Land Management Plan (LMP). Landowners must ensure they have a publicly available plan, produced following engagement with the local community. They will also have to engage with communities where there are significant changes to the plan.
However, this 3,000ha threshold has sparked significant debate. While some stakeholders advocate lowering the threshold to include more landowners, others argue that maintaining the current level is essential for striking a practical and balanced approach to land management. NFU Scotland is advocating for the threshold to remain, let’s explore why:
Under the proposed legislation, landowners with single or combined holdings over 3,000 hectares, or more than 1,000 hectares on permanently inhabited islands covering at least 25% of that land, would be required to publish an LMP. These plans are expected to outline long-term objectives, demonstrate compliance with environmental and regulatory standards, and engage with local communities.
Why retaining the 3,000ha threshold is important
Supports practical land management
Large-scale estates often involve complex, multi-use landscapes that require significant planning, resources and coordination. The 3,000ha threshold ensures the LMP requirement focuses on these extensive holdings, where the greatest impact can be made. Many of these holdings will already produce something similar to an LMP and therefore the administrative burden would be minimal. Lowering the threshold could place disproportionate administrative burdens on smaller landowners, discouraging investment and complicating operational management.
Targets transparency where it is most needed
By concentrating on the largest landowners, the threshold ensures that transparency and accountability are directed where they are most likely to influence public trust and environmental outcomes. While community involvement is important across all landholdings, the scale of large estates justifies a higher level of scrutiny without unnecessarily extending regulatory obligations to those with smaller properties.
Striking the Right Balance
The debate over the 3,000ha threshold illustrates a broader tension between equity and practicality in land reform. On one hand, there is a strong desire to increase fairness and community influence. On the other, there is a need to ensure that regulatory requirements are proportionate, targeted, and workable.
Agriculture is in a season of change as it is, with new support frameworks and requirements coming down the track. We need to ensure that there is not a duplication of information being provided by landowners and managers and that the systems and regulations they are working to are accessible and achievable.
In summary
The future of Scotland’s land reform depends on well-designed policies that are both effective and achievable. While there is merit in encouraging landowners to forward plan and to carry out proportionate community engagement, the 3,000ha threshold represents a pragmatic approach. It ensures that the largest landowners are held to high standards without introducing disproportionate demands across the sector on smaller landholdings.
As the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee consider amendments to the Land Reform Bill, maintaining this threshold may prove crucial in achieving meaningful reform while respecting the operational realities of land ownership in Scotland.