Thanks for the opportunity to talk about our latest policy advice @oxfamscotland.bsky.social

ScotLand Futures - creating new land opportunities for our built environment In the seventh blog in our Joining the Dots series, Katherine Pollard, Head of Policy at the Scottish Land Commission, explores how land reform connects directly to Scotland's built environment ambitions. Drawing on the ScotLand Futures initiative, which engaged over 1,200 people, Kathie argues that land reform is not just a rural issue but critical to addressing urban challenges from housing need to high street decline. She outlines three priorities for the next phase of land reform: opening new land opportunities, rebalancing power to ensure ownership works for the public good, and shaping change locally through strengthened planning. With 96% of respondents calling for further changes to land ownership and use, Kathie demonstrates how existing powers, from compulsory purchase to tenement maintenance models, can be better utilised to create thriving, equitable and sustainable places across Scotland.

Out now: the seventh in the BEFS Joining the Dots series ✍️

In this new blog, Katherine Pollard of the Scottish Land Commission explores how land reform connects to housing, high streets, retrofit and community empowerment.

Take a look:

The key takeaway: better land data and modern systems are essential if tax is to play a more strategic role in land and environmental policy.

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A carbon land tax on peatland faces practical challenges right now, including:

⏺️ Measuring emissions at landholding level
⏺️ Gaps in land ownership & land condition data
⏺️ Limited land valuation and information systems

New advice from the Scottish Land Commission highlights how tax could support climate action and land reform — but also the practical challenges of introducing a peatland carbon tax. 🧵

But a simple #Scottish #land #use publication is not enough: look at these delicious storymaps fascinating and interactive! storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/45b9...

Scotland's Fourth Land Use Strategy: supporting evidence pack The evidence pack to support Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy. It draws on published materials to provide a baseline understanding of land in Scotland, and aims to increase awareness of the interpl...

RESAS has published the supporting evidence pack for the 4th #Land Use Strategy for #Scotland. Loads and loads of analysis to feast on in relation to land use, cover, ecosystem services, ownership, tenure. An awful lot of @hutton.ac.uk maps in there too!

www.gov.scot/publications...

ScotLand Futures - creating new land opportunities for our built environment - Built Environment Forum Scotland In the seventh blog in our Joining the Dots series, Katherine Pollard, Head of Policy at the Scottish Land Commission, explores how land reform connects directly to Scotland's built environment ambiti...

Thanks @thebefs.bsky.social for the opportunity to write about why land reform matters to the future of urban Scotland

@scottishlandcom.bsky.social
www.befs.org.uk/latest/joini...

Exciting next steps for land reform! From land use planning, data and tax- there is a lot more to be done to create certainty, stability and open up our land system

New article on passing of #Communitywealthbuilding legislation in Scotland.

bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/02/21/c...

How do you value land – and why does it matter for reform?

In our latest guest blog, Dr Bryonny Goodwin-Hawkins unpacks why land valuation is harder than it looks, drawing on recent discussions in Wales and reflecting on what this means for tax and land reform across the UK.

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Looking forward to speaking about our @scottishlandcom.bsky.social work with @adriennebuller.bsky.social @lmacfarlane.bsky.social

We know inboxes can get busy, so we keep our emails focused and useful.

📆 By sign up to our mailing list you will receive our bi-monthly newsletter with the latest news, events, research and stories from across Scotland’s land sector - no spam, just clear, timely updates.

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New insights from the Rural Land Market Data Report 2025 show forestry land values cooling, small-scale sales dominating, strong per-hectare farmland prices and ongoing data challenges for land transparency.

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BBC Sounds - Housing Britain - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of Housing Britain on BBC Sounds.

Excellent series (and reference to the housing theory of everything) @vickyspratt.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/serie...

When it’s developers v people, usually the money wins. I saw how one community came out on top | Jason Okundaye A social housing victory at the ‘luxury’ Battersea power station development shows the power of grassroots politics – and holds a lesson for all of our cities, says Guardian assistant opinion editor Jason Okundaye

When it’s developers v people, usually the money wins. I saw how one community came out on top | Jason Okundaye

Why land reform matters more than ever

Global best practice could help Scotland unlock fairer, greener land taxation, report finds A new report from the Scottish Land Commission shows how lessons from around the world could help Scotland modernise the way it values land and property, strengthening the foundation for fairer taxation to support sustainable public finances, and action on climate change.

A new report from the Scottish Land Commission shows how lessons from around the world could help Scotland modernise the way it values land and property, strengthening the foundation for fairer taxation to support sustainable public finances, and action on climate change.

Public’s concerns over land use outlined in new report Concentrated ownership, absentee landlords and a lack of transparency in how land is managed are some of the concerns the public has over land in Scotland, according to a new report published by the Scottish Land Commission. 

Concentrated ownership, absentee landlords and a lack of transparency in how land is managed are some of the concerns the public has over land in Scotland, according to a new report published by the Scottish Land Commission. 

Enjoyed this round-up and debates about the council tax surcharge: a gateway to something else or failure to be bolder with revaluation? Some interesting ideas around the policy aims of EV tax, too.

Thank you to everyone who took part in our ScotLand Futures survey. More than 1,200 people shared their views, and 96% told us Scotland still needs further action on land reform 👇

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The power of investing in place-based collaboration..

Great also to see the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme play its part in Govan’s regeneration journey (set up in response to the @scottishlandcom.bsky.social’s Vacant & Derelict Land Taskforce advice).

Yes, a wider public interest/sustainable development framing is useful. On environmental outcomes though, not sure if you’ve seen this www.communitylandscotland.org.uk/biodiversity...

We’re pleased to welcome Sarah Madden & Kathie Pollard to senior roles helping drive Scotland’s land reform agenda at a pivotal time. Sarah becomes Head of Practice and Advice, and Kathie steps into Head of Policy.

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Interesting article, thanks. Is there much discussion about environmental metrics or measurements?

🌍 New SEFARI Gateway Fellowship Opportunity - Exploring the Future of Community Land Ownership in Scotland.

Lots of talk about taxing land today at @revivecoalition.bsky.social conference and mention of our work. Why is it a good idea and how could it be done?

www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/61...

For the next Authors of Urbanism event we'll hear from Johnny Rodger whose recent book examines representations of Housing in the medium of Film.

Join us on Tuesday 18 November in Glasgow to find out more and connect with fellow urbanists.

More info and tickets at www.theaou.org/events/autho...

📌 Scotland takes important step towards fairer use and ownership of land

Scottish Land Commission statement on the passing of the Land Reform Bill

Take land and property valuation for example.

How does Scotland compare to other countries? A new @scottishlandcom.bsky.social by WPI Economics comes up with practical ways to assess this and steps that could be taken.

www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/68...