June 14, 2007
Minister Backs Kinghorn Land Plans
A Fife community has successfully registered an interest in the right to buy nineteen plots of land surrounding and including Kinghorn Loch. It is the single largest registration of land made by a community body under the 2003 Land Reform Act.
Minister Backs Kinghorn Land Plans
14.06.07
A Fife community has successfully registered an interest in the right to buy nineteen plots of land surrounding and including Kinghorn Loch. The decision by Mike Russell, the Minister for the Environment, gives the people of Kinghorn first refusal on the right to purchase any of the land should an owner want to sell. It is the single largest registration of land made by a community body under the 2003 Land Reform Act.
Making the announcement, Chris Mitchell, chairman of Kinghorn Community Land Association said, “We are absolutely delighted that Scottish Ministers have decided to give the people of Kinghorn the chance to bring this land under community ownership. This is an endorsement of the community’s aspirations. Kinghorn Loch is an area of outstanding natural beauty and biodiversity that was originally granted to the people of Kinghorn by King James VI. It is also home to an acclaimed Ecology Centre.
Registering a right to buy is the start of a process. Kinghorn Community Land Association talked to a lot of people in developing a vision for the land. Now, with Ministerial approval, we will go back again to involve everyone in Kinghorn in looking at the future of the land in more detail. This will include the Community Council, community groups, and other agencies who can help make this happen. Fife Council has backed us with funding to help towards a feasibility study and we are hopeful of further funding from the lottery and other trusts.”
Source: Kinghorn Community Land Association
For further information contact Chris Mitchell, Chair, KCLA2005 on
07740863374 or 01592 890921
74 Pettycur Road, Kinghorn KY3 9RW