Written Question · S2W-19671 · Session 2
With reference to paragraph 21 of Planning Advice Note 74: Affordable Housing, whether it will outline the current and proposed procedures …
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to paragraph 21 of Planning Advice Note 74: Affordable Housing, whether it will outline the current and proposed procedures which govern the disposal of land for affordable housing by public bodies, including itself, on a favourable basis; whether it is making representations to the UK Government and public bodies accountable to the UK Government to dispose of land in Scotland on a similar basis, and, if so, how successful these representations have been.
The answer
The Scottish Housing PolicyStatement published by the Executive in March emphasised our commitment to thebetter use of surplus public sector land for affordable housing. Thiscommitment is being taken forward in a number of ways.
Scottish Executive land thatis deemed surplus to requirements is notified internally to ExecutiveDepartments. Communities Scotland is notified through this process, and given theopportunity to register an interest in the land on behalf of registered socialLandlords (RSLs) who may wish to purchase the land for affordable housing. Additionally,we have announced a willingness to release land for affordable housing from the Scottish ministers’ estate, almost all of which is crofting land.
The Executive is workingwith other public bodies, including UK Government Departments, to developframework agreements with a view to securing transfers of surplus land foraffordable housing in areas where particular need has been identified. Thisapproach has resulted in an agreement being reached with Forestry CommissionScotland who, in handling sales of surplus land, now provide a preferentialopportunity for RSLs to acquire the land for affordable housing. It is hopedthat similar agreements can be reached with other bodies in the near future.
Under the Local Government(Scotland) Act 1973, where a local authority proposes to dispose of land forless than the best that can be reasonably obtained, then consent must first begiven by the Scottish Ministers. This consent regime was amended by section 11of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 which provides that localauthorities can decide on their own proposals for the disposal of land at lessthan market price subject to the application of regulations and guidance issuedby ministers. Consultation on draft statutory guidance was undertaken earlierthis year and proposals for implementation are being developed.
Scottish Executive land thatis deemed surplus to requirements is notified internally to ExecutiveDepartments. Communities Scotland is notified through this process, and given theopportunity to register an interest in the land on behalf of registered socialLandlords (RSLs) who may wish to purchase the land for affordable housing. Additionally,we have announced a willingness to release land for affordable housing from the Scottish ministers’ estate, almost all of which is crofting land.
The Executive is workingwith other public bodies, including UK Government Departments, to developframework agreements with a view to securing transfers of surplus land foraffordable housing in areas where particular need has been identified. Thisapproach has resulted in an agreement being reached with Forestry CommissionScotland who, in handling sales of surplus land, now provide a preferentialopportunity for RSLs to acquire the land for affordable housing. It is hopedthat similar agreements can be reached with other bodies in the near future.
Under the Local Government(Scotland) Act 1973, where a local authority proposes to dispose of land forless than the best that can be reasonably obtained, then consent must first begiven by the Scottish Ministers. This consent regime was amended by section 11of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 which provides that localauthorities can decide on their own proposals for the disposal of land at lessthan market price subject to the application of regulations and guidance issuedby ministers. Consultation on draft statutory guidance was undertaken earlierthis year and proposals for implementation are being developed.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-19671 by reference.