CNPA Convener outlines the value of crofting tenure to development in the National Park
CNPA Convener outlines the value of crofting tenure to development in the National Park
The Convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority is calling for a debate on how the new crofting legislation could help to solve rural Scotland’s housing crisis.
Speaking to representatives from the Crofters Commission and SEERAD recently, Andrew Thin expressed his desire to explore how crofting tenure could become a key policy tool for the Park in terms of access to land for the purpose of building an affordable home.
He said: “Crofting tenure has ensured the sustainability of communities in the Highlands and Islands for many decades. The need for access to land for local people, and especially the less well off, is no less today than it was at the time of the Napier commission all those years ago, but circumstances in other ways have changed very considerably.”
The Cairngorms National Park is unique in that it is the only National Park in the world with a significant area of land under crofting tenure, and like rest of rural Scotland, it suffers from high house prices.
Andrew Thin would like to see the Park used to pilot innovative solutions to such problems and sees crofting tenure as a unique opportunity to create new croft holdings on publicly owned land or land bought for this purpose by communities through the new community right to buy.
David Green, Chairman of the Crofters Commission said:”We believe that crofting and crofters have a significant role to play in the provision of affordable and other housing in the Highlands and we are keen to work with the Park Authority and other public agencies in partnership with the local crofting community to explore what opportunities there are for perhaps mutual agreement on creating new crofts or even using some common grazings for afordable housing.”
Alert
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Ongoing wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy
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Relevant alerts
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Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.