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
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 | |
008 | Confidential |
Individual |
15 December 2022 | |
009 | Crown Estate Scotland | Public Body | 15 December 2022 | |
010 | East Renfrewshire Council |
Local Authority |
15 December 2022 | |
011 | Energy Saving Trust |
Climate Change Other |
15 December 2022 | |
012 | Scottish Land Commission | Public Body | 15 December 2022 | |
013 | Dumfries and Galloway Council | Local Authority | 15 December 2022 | |
014 | Community Land Scotland | Community | 15 December 2022 | |
015 | Development Trusts Association | Community | 15 December 2022 | |
016 | Historic Environment Scotland | Public Body | 15 December 2022 | |
017 | Argyll and Bute Council | Local Authority | 16 December 2022 | |
018 | Law Society of Scotland | Legal | 16 December 2022 | |
019 | Highland and Islands Enterprise | Public Body | 16 December 2022 | |
020 | South Lanarkshire Council | Local Authority | 16 December 2022 | |
021 | Scotways | Charity | 16 December 2022 | |
022 | Cairngorms National Park Authority | Public Body | 16 December 2022 | |
023 | North Ayrshire Council | Local Authority | 16 December 2022 | |
024 | South of Scotland Enterprise | Public Body | 21 December 2022 | |
025 | East Ayrshire Council | Local Authority | 16 January 2023 | |
026 | Glasgow City Council | Local Authority | 20 January 2023 |
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.