Scottish Land & Estates

Sarah-Jane Laing has been appointed as chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) as the rural business organisation enters the most challenging era in its 110-year history. Starting out at the organisation fifteen years ago as housing strategy officer before moving to the role of hea

The need for planning permission could be removed for certain types of rural developments to help tackle depopulation and support local economies, under new proposals from the Scottish Government.

Private landlords who commit to providing affordable housing should be given the same financial support as housing associations to improve the energy efficiency of their properties, according to Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). In its response to the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency (

Scottish Green MSPs will stage a series of bids to overhaul Scotland’s planning system over three days of debate in the Scottish Parliament this week. Amendments brought by Green MSPs at stage 3 of the Planning (Scotland) Bill will seek to improve natural habitats in response to the climate cr

More empty homes in the countryside could be returned to use if greater policy flexibility was available to recognise the “unique circumstances” of rural Scotland, according to Scottish Land & Estates. After providing evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s local government and c

Katy Dickson Scottish Land & Estates has appointed Katy Dickson as its new head of policy.

A housing manufacturer has struck a deal with Scottish Land and Estates to offer Scottish landowners the chance to boost rural incomes, deliver affordable housing, and sustain local communities though its new affordable homes programme. Clyde Homes Limited delivers factory built affordable homes for

Scottish Land & Estates has called for Scotland’s planning system to create more flexible rural housing policies to support delivery of rural housing and self-build homes. Publishing its response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system, the org

We need a Scottish planning system which will inspire, empower and deliver for the future, writes Gavin Mowat from Scottish Land & Estates. Planning is a thorny issue which more than one elected member of Holyrood has been warned against getting involved in, and for good reason. Red tape, costly

Expert review groups into fuel poverty have called for the definition to be reviewed to ensure help is targeted at those who need it most. Two reports by the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group and Scottish Rural Fuel Poverty Task Force have made over 100 recommendations to address the iss

The independent review of the Scottish Planning System missed an opportunity to address important planning issues within the rural sector, according to Scottish Land & Estates and rural property specialist Savills. Published last month, the review focused on six key themes - development planning

Flexible rural planning policies must be ensured in any future changes to Scotland’s planning system, the country’s landowners have said. Scottish Land & Estates made the request in evidence submitted to the Scottish Government’s independent panel appointed to review the planning system.

Aileen McLeod Scottish landowners will have to accept “the public responsibilities that come with that ownership” following the introduction of new land reform legislation.

Alan Ward Landlords are calling for urgent discussions with ministers following a ruling by the European Court of Justice that will make it more expensive to insulate private rented housing.

A new housing development in the East Neuk of Fife, built as part of an affordable housing scheme pioneered by rural landowners, has been opened by minister for housing and welfare, Margaret Burgess MSP.