Today, 15 Apr 2016, sees the “right to buy” provisions of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 come in to force.

The community right to buy provides the opportunity for community bodies (CBs) representing communities across Scotland to register an interest in land or rights (hereinafter referred to as land) and buy that registered land once it is offered for sale. It provides CBs with a pre-emptive right to buy the land in which they have registered a community interest. To date, CBs have registered interests in land including fields, woodlands, and a range of other assets such as buildings, for example churches, a school, and a community centre.

Applications to register an interest in land are normally made before the owner takes steps to offer the land for sale. They can also be made after the owner has taken steps to offer the land for sale or has taken steps to transfer the land, though late applications are expected to be submitted only in exceptional circumstances. In such cases, CBs have to meet additional criteria for their application to be approved by Scottish Ministers.

Guidance notes attached.