Impact Evaluation of the Community Right to Buy

The Scottish Government commissioned Ipsos, in collaboration with Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), to evaluate the impact of the Community Right to Buy on local communities in the period from 2004 to 2014.

The Community Right to Buy (CRtB) was set up to encourage community ownership of land and land assets in rural Scotland. The Scottish Government commissioned Ipsos, in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), to evaluate the impact of the Community Right to Buy on local communities in the period from 2004 to 2014.

Evaluation methods

The evaluation involved a mixed-method approach consisting of:

  • A desk-based review of relevant documents, in-depth scoping interviews with stakeholders, and the development of a logic model.
  • An online survey with community bodies involved at each stage of the CRtB process.
  • In-depth, qualitative research in 16 case study areas.

Key findings

As of late November 2014, 206 community bodies had been set up for the purposes of acquiring land/assets.

However, the number of community bodies completing a purchase was much lower. At the time of the evaluation, there had been 174 applications made to register an interest in land/assets and 22 purchases had been made.

In general, positive outcomes had been achieved among communities such as an increase in knowledge and skills, community cohesion, motivation to develop other initiatives, and involvement in land decisions.

Outcomes varied by the stage reached in the process, with a fuller range of outcomes (such as increased employment opportunities) being seen among those that had purchased land. However, outcomes also clearly occur from earlier stages of the process, such as a sense of motivation to participate in the process and to get involved in other initiatives on behalf of the community.

Common factors that played an important role in helping to achieve outcomes included: the formation of a community body, providing a focal point for communities; the presence of key individuals to help motivate others; advice and guidance from support agencies; and a willing seller of the land/assets in question.  

Barriers to achieving outcomes included: the challenge of sustaining interest from the community over the long term; lack of specialist knowledge and expertise; the CRtB process itself, described by some as time consuming and arduous; and securing funding required to make a purchase.  

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