Explanatory Notes

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016

2016 asp 18

22 April 2016

Commentary on Sections

Part 5 – Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development

Key terms

Section 47 – Eligible land: salmon fishings and mineral rights

196.Subsection (1) sets out circumstances in which a Part 5 community body may apply to buy eligible land consisting of salmon fishings or mineral rights only. This can only be done where the Part 5 community body is also applying, or has applied, to buy the land to which the fishings or minerals relate, or the application is made during the relevant period.

197.Subsection (2) sets out that an application can only be made during the relevant period if the Part 5 community body has applied to buy the land that in respect of which the salmon fishings and mineral rights are exigible and the Part 5 community body, or third party purchaser nominated by the Part 5 community body, has confirmed its intention to proceed with buying that land or has already bought and retained the land in accordance with Part 5.

198.Subsection (3) sets out the meaning of “relevant period”. This is defined as beginning with the date on which the Scottish Ministers consented to the application for the Part 5 right to buy. It ends either with (a) where the Part 5 community body, or third party purchaser as the case may be, does not proceed to exercise its right to buy that related land, on the date on which it withdraws its intention to proceed, or the date of its failure to complete its purchase; or (b) where the Part 5 community body, or third party purchaser as the case may be, has bought the land in respect of which the salmon fishings or mineral rights are exigible, within one year (in relation to salmon fishings), or within five years (in relation to minerals right) after the date on which the land was so bought.