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Crofting could be established on Arran within the next few years – creating much-needed affordable housing.
The new Scottish Government revealed this week that it sees a strong case to extend the crofting tenure in Scotland to include Arran and other areas presently excluded such as Bute, Nairn, Elgin, Granton-on-Spey and Tomintoul.
Environment minister Michael Russell was in Brodick on Monday to announce that he is to consult on the possible expansion of crofting outside the traditional counties.
It will now be included in the considerations of the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting, headed by Professor Mark Shucksmith, which is expected to report to ministers early in the new year.
Mr Russell revealed to The Arran Banner that he believed the island to be ideal for a pilot scheme involving up to 12 crofts.
They could possibly be established on Forestry Commission land. He had already entered into discussions with the commission and said had been met with an ‘open door’.
He said he had been impressed by the Forestry Commission’s ‘willingness, flexibility and adaptability’.
Landowners would also be encouraged to apply to the Crofters’ Commission to create crofts.
‘I do not see land as a problem to the development of crofts in new areas,’ said Mr Russell. ‘Scotland has plenty of land.’
The environment minister, who also outlined his vision to a public meeting in Lamlash Community Centre, said: ‘In 1886 when the Crofting Act went through, a number of small areas were excluded. What went wrong in 1886 we can finally put right.
‘Crofting is a successful means for keeping people on the land, and we can adapt it to meet housing needs.
‘The first forestry crofts could be established here as a pilot scheme, and hopefully landowners will also do everything they can to become involved.
‘Jura recently had six new crofts created and that resulted in six new homes for young families. That made a huge difference to the island.’
Mr Russell acknowledged that there were many processes to go through in the months ahead, but said there was an enthusiasm and willingness to cut bureaucracy and make things happen quicker. The finer details would largely be influenced by the crofting inquiry.
The minister said these developments were all part of the new SNP adminstration’s determination to tackle the lack of affordable housing in Scotland.
‘We accept there is a need to create 30,000 affordable homes during the next five years, and the political will is there to make it happen.’
He added that land for self-build purposes could also possibly be released alongside the crofts. ‘Land is not an issue. The main problem is getting all the ducks in a row regarding planning and all the relevant agencies.’
Accompanying Mr Russell in Arran was the island’s MSP Kenneth Gibson, who revealed he was taking every opportunity to highlight Arran’s housing needs and seek solutions to highlight the lack of affordable properties for young people.
Drew Rutter, convener of the Crofters’ Commission, said there was no minimum or maximum size of land needed to qualify for grant aid of around £20,000 per croft.
He added that there could be ‘an imaginative use of land, not simply limited to growing vegetables or rearing animals. It could involve any kind of sustainable lifestyle connected to the land.’
The Scottish Crofting Foundation this week welcomed the decision to consult on the possible extension of the Crofting Counties.
SCF director Donald Linton said ‘There has been a lot of interest in some areas, particularly Arran, about what crofting tenure might mean for smallholders and farmers. Lots of effort has gone into getting this debate going — people in Arran have been discussing this for at least two years. Government encouragement to consider all the issues can only be good news.’
