Holyrood committee inquiry asks whether new regulations will make land ownership more transparent

An inquiry has been launched into proposed new regulations that aim to reduce the secrecy surrounding who owns what in Scotland.

The environment, climate change and land reform committee will examine the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) (Scotland) Regulations 2021.

The new regulations followed concerns that the current system of land ownership was not sufficiently transparent, as some people holding a controlling or beneficial interest may be difficult to trace.

As part of the inquiry, the committee has launched a call for views and would like to hear from interested individuals and groups on whether the proposed regulations will make a difference.

Environment, climate change and land reform committee deputy convener, John Scott MSP, said: “The public deserves to know who owns what in Scotland and these new regulations aim to make land ownership information much more open, accessible and transparent.

“Our committee now wants to hear a wide range of views on the proposed regulations, whether these are fit for purpose from the perspective of landowners, tenants, individuals and communities, or if they can be improved in any way.”