Consultation Responses and Analysis

The consultation for OPTS closed on 16 December 2022, we are presently finalising policies ahead of launch.

The KLTR on OPTS:

“The OPTS is an ambitious scheme, a new approach and a new way of thinking, which will require collaborative working between public bodies and representative groups if real and tangible benefits are to be delivered to the people of Scotland."

“I recognise the long-term negative impact that ownerless land and buildings can have on our communities, our cities, our towns and villages and on the residents within these areas. The scheme will provide opportunities for communities throughout Scotland to benefit from converting ownerless property into owned property, both land and buildings in both urban and rural areas, by bringing them back into productive use." 

“I therefore hope the OPTS will play a fundamental part in bringing interested parties together to agree on how ownerless property can be used in the best possible way and to the advantage of local people.” 

Bobby Sandeman, KLTR’s Head of Department said:

“KLTR officials will work closely with key stakeholders, such as the Scottish Government, local authorities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Land Commission, Community Land Scotland and others to ensure the potential benefits of the scheme are recognised.” 

He added: “This scheme will transform the way in which the KLTR deals with ownerless property and the way in which we deal with those who refer property to us. It will encourage, and require, collaborative working between public bodies and representative groups. Views expressed during the consultation will help to shape the new scheme.

The Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme consultation closed on the 16 December 2022.

A link to the consultation analysis report and consultation document is below.

OPTS Consultation Analysis Report

OPTS Consultation Paper

The Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme consultation closed on the 16 December 2022.

All responses can be found in the table below, each response can be viewed by clicking on the blue links within the table.

Respondent number

Name

Organisation/

Sector

Date received

Response form

001 Confidential Individual 28 September 2022 Response 001
002 Jason Halliday

Office of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner

Public Body 

13 October 2022 Response 002
003 Confidential  Private 22 November 2022 Private Response
004 Nicola McBain

Disclosure Scotland

Public Body 

5 December 2022 Response 004
005 Scottish Empty Homes Partnership

 

Charity 

02 December 2022 Response 005
006 North Lanarkshire Council

 

Local Authority 

15 December 2022 Response 006
007 Malcolm Combe  Individual 15 December 2022

Response 007

008 Confidential

Individual

15 December 2022

Response 008

009 Crown Estate Scotland Public Body  15 December 2022

Response 009

010 East Renfrewshire Council

Local Authority 

15 December 2022

Response 010

011 Energy Saving Trust

Climate Change

Other

15 December 2022

Response 011

012 Scottish Land Commission  Public Body  15 December 2022

Response 012

013 Dumfries and Galloway Council Local Authority  15 December 2022

Response 013

014 Community Land Scotland Community 15 December 2022

Response 014

015 Development Trusts Association Community 15 December 2022

Response 015

016 Historic Environment Scotland Public Body  15 December 2022

Response 016

017 Argyll and Bute Council Local Authority 16 December 2022

Response 017

018 Law Society of Scotland  Legal 16 December 2022

Response 018

019 Highland and Islands Enterprise Public Body 16 December 2022

Response 019

020 South Lanarkshire Council Local Authority  16 December 2022

Response 020

021 Scotways Charity 16 December 2022

Response 021

022 Cairngorms National Park Authority  Public Body  16 December 2022

Response 022

023 North Ayrshire Council Local Authority  16 December 2022

Response 023

024 South of Scotland Enterprise Public Body  21 December 2022

Response 024

025 East Ayrshire Council Local Authority  16 January 2023

Response 025

026  Glasgow City Council Local Authority  20 January 2023

Response 026

OPTS Seminar Dates 

COSLA and Local Authorities  8th November 2022
Public Bodies  23rd November 2022
Community Land Scotland 24th November 2022
Scottish Land Commission  29th November 2022
Highlands and Islands Enterprise  6th December 2022
Scottish Government 7th December 2022

We have worked closely with key partners and stakeholders to ensure the OPTS is workable, including the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Local Authorities and other public bodies, including the Scottish Land Commission, as well as representative organisations such as Community Land Scotland and individuals with experience in land-related issues.