112.Section 42 amends the 1993 Act by inserting new sections (1AA) to (1AD) into section 20 of that Act. Section 20 deals with resumption of croft land and the amendments will allow the Land Court to consider additional factors when determining resumption applications.
113.New subsection (1AA) details the additional matters which the Land Court may take into account in determining an application to resume croft land and, in particular, in relation to satisfying itself, under section 20(1) of the 1993 Act, that the proposed reasonable purpose for resumption relates to the public interest. Subsection (1AA)(a) allows the Court to take into account the effect the proposed purpose for resumption will have on the issues detailed in new section (1AC). These issues include the sustainability of crofting in the locality of the croft and the sustainability of the crofting community in that area, as well as the sustainability of the landscape and environment in that area. It also allows the Court to consider the effect the proposal to resume would have on the social and cultural benefits associated with crofting. Subsection (1AA)(b) allows the Court to consider the effects of the purpose of the application and reach its own conclusion on whether the proposal and decrofting the land are in the public interest, notwithstanding the existence of planning permission. Subsection (1AB) provides that new subsection (1AA) does not affect the requirement for the Land Court to extend the period of resumption in line with an extension of a relevant planning consent. Subsection (1AD) defines terms used in new section (1AA).