The Rural Bulletin: 24th August 2018

Scottish government to seize vacant property

The Scottish Government has outlined a new Compulsory Sales Order (CSO) to allow local authorities greater powers to requisition derelict buildings and unused land.

Local authorities can already use compulsory purchase orders to seize property but there must be a development plan in place beforehand. The new CSO will expand these powers but will only be used as a last resort for problematic sites that the authority wishes to restore to a productive purpose. 

Housing charity Shelter Scotland claims there are over 37,000 empty homes in the country, while government figures estimate 11,600ha of land are derelict. Jonathan Scott-Smith from Knight Frank said: “While the Scottish Government is promoting this as a power of last resort for problematic sites, if they get the powers we could well find them being used more extensively, as an easier option.”

No deal Brexit advice to be published

The Government is set to publish advice for businesses and people on how to plan for a no deal Brexit. Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab gave a speech on Thursday (23 August) detailing the UK’s commitment to keeping trade and transport flowing freely.

The Government has a responsibility to plan for every eventuality, despite being confident a good deal is within sight. " We need to take some steps now, so that we can avoid and mitigate those risks that arise,” he said.

The European Union has already produced 68 notices in preparation for Brexit, covering the movement of live animals, plant health, slaughterhouse operations and animal feed. The UK Government notices are expected to cover areas like food and farming and will be released in batches over the coming weeks.

Countryside Alliance tackles BBC anti-rural bias

The Countryside Alliance has written to the Culture Secretary to offer a workable solution to correct what it calls ‘anti-rural bias’ by the BBC. 

Countryside Alliance head of campaigns, Liam Stokes presented three solutions:

• Allow Ofcom to offer an opinion, rather than a judgement, on complaints that fall outside the Broadcast Code but within the Editorial Guidelines. Ofcom already has this power over the BBC’s online content.

• Empower Ofcom to consider off-air activity when judging a complaint relating to bias, as the BBC Trust would have done.

• Instruct Ofcom to assess the progress being made on the recommendations in the 2014 BBC Trust review: ‘BBC coverage of Rural Areas in the UK’. The Alliance has already presented Ofcom with evidence of failure to implement these recommendations.

NFU calls for holistic ammonia reduction

The NFU has called for a joined-up approach to reduce ammonia emissions in response to Defra’s Clean Air Strategy consultation. The consultation proposes introducing permits to the dairy sector, similar to the system applying to pigs and poultry, but this could cost thousands of pounds for a permit and additional investment, something the NFU opposes.

“The NFU is calling on Defra to consider alternatives to additional regulation and to work with the industry on improving farm practice to minimise ammonia emissions first, before considering a ban or imposing limits,” said Mark Pope, NFU environment forum chairman.

“It’s essential that we have a joined-up approach to ensure that any new measures to address ammonia do not create perverse environmental outcomes in other ways.”

How can we help? Knight Frank's Rural Property Management team is on hand to advise on a wide range of private and institutional clients on the hugely diverse property assets that they own