Labour MSP cites Trump International Golf Links in land ownership debate
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Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba has taken her campaign for land justice to Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire to highlight the weakness of the Scottish Government’s Land Reform proposals.
Currently, just 432 landowners own 50 per cent of all Scotland’s privately owned rural land.
Donald Trump’s 570 hectare holding in north-east Scotland has long faced opposition from local residents concerned about the social and environmental impact of the former President’s development on communities.
Villalba is currently consulting on proposals for her own Land Ownership and Public Interest members’ Bill to address the centuries old, concentrated pattern of land ownership in Scotland.
Plans to restore land for the many by introducing a presumed limit of 500 hectares on how much land the ‘super rich’ can own, sell or transfer, above which a public interest test would be triggered, form part of the proposals unveiled by the Labour spokesperson for Environment and Biodiversity in June.
Speaking at Trump International, Mercedes Villalba MSP said: “Scotland’s being carved up without our say.
“It’s our land, it should work in all our interest.
“That’s why I’ve brought the campaign for Land Justice to Trump International Golf Links where promises for social homes, local jobs and environmental protections have been trashed.
“My proposal for Land Justice would empower people to challenge existing holdings that aren’t working for our communities and make sites like this, which are over 500 hectares, subject to a Public Interest Test.
“The Scottish Government’s proposals for land reform are far too timid.
“They’ll only apply to land over 3000 hectares – that’s almost six times the size of Trump International – and they won’t apply to existing holdings like this one.
“I want to hear from as many people as possible. If you haven’t yet taken part in the consultation, please use your voice and have your say today."
The consultation for the proposed Land Ownership and Public Interest (Scotland) Bill closes September 26.
