Scottish Planning Series: Planning Circular 5 2011: Disposal of Surplus Government Land - The Crichel Down Rules

This circular sets out the revised non-statutory arrangements known as the‘Crichel Down Rules’ under which surplus Government land which wasacquired by, or under a threat of, compulsion should be offered back to formerowners and their successors


Resource implications for local authorities

26. Local authority disposals are carried out under a number of different statutory powers, some of which require authorities to obtain consent for a particular type of transaction; for example, a disposal of land held on the Housing Revenue Account under section 12(7) Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. Where local land values for the type of property in question are reasonably stable, it should not be difficult for authorities to offer land back at its market value, as described in these Rules, and comply with the statutory requirement to dispose of land for the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained, or follow the appropriate procedures for disposals at less than the best consideration that may reasonably be obtained.

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