SCOTLAND'S FORESTS TO OPEN UP FOR WOODLAND CROFTS

Woodland crofts are set to become a feature of Scotland's landscape as communities across the country take advantage of new guidance published by Forestry Commission Scotland today (Thursday 9 May).

The new guidance is a development of the National Forest Land Scheme, which gives communities the opportunity to buy national forest land even if there are no plans to sell the land.

The expanded scheme sees a fourth category, land for woodland crofts, being added under which an application can be lodged. This new category sits along side the existing options of community acquisition, land for affordable housing and sale of surplus land.

Welcoming the change as a boost for Scotland's rural communities, Environment Minister, Michael Russell, said:

“Crofting is part of Scotland’s cultural heritage and is a way of life that has deep roots in many of our rural communities.

“This new guidance and the possibilities now available through the National Forest Land Scheme underline the Scottish Government’s commitment to sustaining and supporting rural communities.

“Woodland crofts will promote sustainable living and offer new opportunities for the development of small rural businesses. This will encourage people to stay in or move to remote rural areas, helping to sustain small communities and supporting the local economy.

“It is yet another excellent example of how Scotland’s national forest estate is delivering more social benefits to people across the country.

“This change is an important addition to the scheme and I hope that it will be enthusiastically welcomed and taken up.”

The inclusion of woodland crofts will provide opportunities for community organisations with a strong interest in crofting to benefit from a scheme that has already seen community woodland groups, housing associations and environmental and recreational NGOs acquire land to help meet local needs.

A woodland crofts project officer will be employed to work with communities to encourage the uptake of this option providing advice and guidance to help groups develop their ideas.

For more information and a copy of the revised National Forest Land Scheme, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/nfls

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government's forestry department. For more information log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/aboutfcs

2) The National Forest Land Scheme was launched in 2005 and has seen 20 successful purchases acquiring a total of 877ha of national forest estate. Schemes include land for affordable housing and community improvement.

3) The eligibility criteria for acquiring land for woodland crofts, under the National Forest Land Scheme, follow the principles for other community acquisitions with the addition of a number of specific requirements. These include: demonstrating the involvement of the Crofters Commission; providing evidence the community organisations represents the whole geographical community and not just existing crofting interests; how the propsal will deliver public benefit and there is a genuine demand for woodland crofts; and the principles and procedures for selecting candidates for the tenancy of new crofts must be explained.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Paul Munro, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, 0131 314 6507.
e-mail: paul.munro@forestry.gsi.gov.uk