Crofters Urge Crofting Commission to Block Croft Land Speculation

The Scottish Crofting Federation is calling on the Crofting Commission to act to prevent a “blatant speculative development” on croft land in Lochaber.

On Monday evening (13th May) members of the Crofting Commission will travel to Ballachulish village hall to hear Donald and Elizabeth MacGillivray’s application to decroft land at 37 North Ballachulish on which they have been granted planning permission for ten houses.

Their planning application was subject to fierce local opposition and refused by Highland Council in order to protect locally important agricultural land. However, a Scottish Government reporter overturned the decision in 2011 and the MacGillivrays are now seeking to decroft the land in order that the housing development can proceed.

SCF chief executive, Patrick Krause, said: “The 2010 Crofting Act gave the Crofting Commission more powers to reject decrofting applications. The notes that accompany the Act say these powers have been granted in order 'to tackle speculation on the development value of croft land'.

“What is being planned for 37 North Ballachulish is a blatant speculative development of the sort that the Act is intended to prevent and which the Commission has a duty to prevent. It is essential that the Commission refuse this application and demonstrate their commitment to following the intentions of the crofting legislation that they exist to uphold."

END

Contact: Patrick Krause, SCF Chief Executive 07739 941 199

SCF Office 01599 530 005

Notes to editors

A link to the full account of the background to the North Ballachulish case, and the SCF’s submission to the Crofting Commission, can be found below:

North Ballachulish Crofting Report

Article by SCF

10 May 2013

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