Scotland ponders future of Crown Estate

Scottish government has launched a 12-week consultation on the long-term framework for the devolved management of the Crown Estate in Scotland.

The consultation launched today, January 4, 2017, provides an opportunity to help shape the long-term framework for the devolved management of the Crown Estate in Scotland and how the revenue should be used to benefit Scotland and communities, the Scottish government said.

Running until March 29, 2017, the consultation focuses on the future purpose of the Crown Estate in Scotland and what changes are needed to the existing legislation to deliver that purpose.

Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, said: “Control over the management and resources of the Crown Estate in Scotland should rest with the people of Scotland and this is a genuine opportunity to change the fabric of Scottish society.”

The Scottish ministers intend to put in place a new legislative framework for the management of Crown Estate assets, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and ensuring alignment with Scottish policy objectives.

Scottish government noted that the new permanent framework can only be delivered once the transfer completes the devolution of legislative competence, stating that the Scotland Act 2016 makes provision for this transfer which has not yet been completed.

Amanda Bryan, Shadow Chairing Member of Crown Estate Scotland, said: “From the 1st of April decisions about both the day to day management and the future of the estate will be taken in Scotland which is a huge step forward. I along with the staff of the new interim management body will seek to manage the estate responsibly, delivering benefits to our partners, tenants and communities and ensuring that it remains in good order for the next phase.”

As an active manager of the seabed in Scotland, the Crown Estate has leased more than 30 sites for tidal current and wave projects in the UK, according to the estate.

In 2014, the first leasing process for tidal range projects was introduced and new seabed rights were agreed, including six new wave and tidal current demonstration zones that enable locally-based organizations to manage and sub-let parts of the seabed to a range of wave and tidal current developers.

Also, five new wave and tidal current sites, each with the potential to deliver a project between 10 and 30MW were introduced the same year.