Porty shares in Land Fund Awards

Communities the length and breadth of Scotland have been given the green light to realise their ambitions to take ownership of and redevelop local land. The Scottish Government’s Scottish Land Fund has awarded 11 projects a total of £2.1 million to allow local groups to purchase land for community ownership. 

One of those successful community groups is Edinburgh’s Action Porty, who receive an award of £647,500.

The Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2017 – 2018 includes £10 million for the Land Fund and an additional £3.4 million for other land reform measures. This will enable the Scottish Government to implement the provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016, including establishing the Scottish Land Commission from 1 April 2017.

Land Reform Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “The Scottish Government’s draft budget not only protects, but increases the budget for land reform so that even more communities can take ownership of their land, making them stronger, resilient and more sustainable.

“I am delighted that so many groups around Scotland now have the opportunity to control the land that matters to them and redevelop it as a more useful and sustainable resource. I am especially keen to see that urban groups are beginning to take advantage of the changes to the Community Right to Buy legislation and in the Scottish Land Fund.

“This funding marks a milestone for many local communities who have worked hard to design and present successful business cases for the future of their land resources.

“Groups such as Action Porty, who are looking to acquire former Portobello Old Parish Church and halls in Edinburgh, and the Copperworks Housing Association Ltd, who will revitalise the urban landscape of Royston, are great examples of how the Scottish Government’s land reform agenda can give communities the power to make a real difference.”

Grant holders are:

• Blairmore Village Trust C.I.C, Argyll and Bute, £15,750
• Action Porty, Edinburgh, £647,500
• Copperworks Housing Association Ltd, Glasgow, £419,000
• The Garbh Allt Community Initiative, Highland, £273,025
• Ullapool Community Trust Ltd, Highland, £138,000
• Iona Village Hall Community Trust, Highland, £36,000
• Raasay Development Trust, Highland, £19,000
• Findhorn Village Conservation Company, Moray, £180,500
• Sanday Development Trust, Orkney, £160,818
• Douglas St Bride’s Community Group, South Lanarkshire, £141,350
• Kilmaronock Community Trust, West Dunbartonshire, £98,000