The Community Land Advisory Service (CLAS) supports both community organisations and landowners so community-led projects can secure land for growing and nature-based activities, enabling more people to benefit across Scotland.
Our CLAS service, supported by the Scottish Government, makes good use of Scotland's policy opportunities and supports you with the experience and knowledge of our members and partners.
The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015
All communities in Scotland, both urban and rural, have potential opportunities to secure the use of land that is currently publicly or privately owned.
The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 can help empower your community through the ownership of land and buildings. It can strengthen your voice in the decisions and services that matter to you.
The Act extends the community right to buy, makes it simpler for communities to take over public sector land and buildings and strengthens the statutory base for community planning.
Growing in the Community Scotland Land Guide
If you're looking to secure land for community-run growing and nature-based activities, the Community Scotland Land Guide provides comprehensive information and advice.
Landowners, project groups and support organisations can all benefit from using the Guide. It supports communities to find and secure land to expand and strengthen their capacity to provide local activities and services.
Evidence shows community groups can struggle to find land to develop local activity. Meanwhile, many landowners are keen to support such projects but need the knowledge of how to go about it. The Guide also gives landowners supporting community projects the guidance and tools to consider legal responsibilities and secure rights. This gives both parties the confidence to enter and successfully complete the process of negotiation, meeting all needs and obligations.
The Community Scotland Land Guide was written by our Community Land Advisory Service and other members of the Get Growing Scotland partnership. See Land Stories for inspiration and practical advice from community groups across Scotland.
Contact us
If you need further support, or would like to access the CLAS Scotland service, please contact us at [email protected]