Groundbreaking new rules should be brought in that would give communities more control over major green developments in their local area and rights to a share in the profits, a landmark new report recommends.
The proposal comes amid an ongoing boom in demand and prices for land in Scotland that shows little sign of slowing – largely driven by investors looking to capitalise on renewable energy generation, timber plantations and the emerging carbon trading market.
In a new paper, the charity Community Land Scotland (CLS) argues that a system of legally enforceable agreements is needed to ensure communities benefit properly from the likes of wind farms and natural carbon-capture schemes, which can be highly lucrative for owners and developers.
Currently some projects provide community benefit funds to support local projects, but such arrangements are not compulsory.
The agreements could also set a requirement for a new business venture such as a wind-farm to be part-owned by the community, securing longer-term income and guaranteeing a say in governance.
“Existing models see local communities as a tick-box consideration with, at most, contributions to a community benefit fund – which is often a fraction of the money generated from the projects.
According to research, estates host 57 per cent of Scotland’s renewable energy generating capacity.
Landowners have said they are willing to consider potential partnership opportunities but warned that payback is not always guaranteed. https://www.scotsman.com/…/call-for-rural-scots-to-get…
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