Land

Socially Just Use of Land, Sea & Property

What this means in Orkney
Who owns and uses land, buildings and sea space, and to what purpose, shapes whether wealth stays in Orkney. We will support asset stewardship and community ownership that delivers local jobs, services, affordable housing, active travel, climate action and heritage.

Our starting point

  • Promote pathways for community asset transfer and community right to buy; public sector asset groups meet regularly with VAO to identify opportunities.
  • The next Local Development Plan (on land) and the Orkney Islands Regional Marine Plan will embed CWB principles—so development creates local social and economic benefits.
  • Orkney’s isles show what’s possible when communities own and manage assets, including with the community owned wind turbines.

Priorities for 2025–2030

  • Publish information on where to identify public assets which might offer greater value to local people if they were owned by community groups.
  • Publish information about how to request that public assets be transferred into community ownership and obtain apply for funds to purchase private and public land and assets.
  • Identify assets suitable for transfer and support capacity‑building across Mainland, linked isles, and ferry‑linked isles.
  • Use planning frameworks (NPF4) to ensure new developments contribute to community wealth.

Case studies

  • Stronsay Fish Mart → café & hostel: Community purchase repurposed an asset into local services and income.
  • Shapinsay School House: Acquired by the development trust to meet local needs.
  • HMS Tern (Birsay): Transfer from the council to the Birsay Heritage Trust as a heritage site and visitor attraction.

How you can get involved

  • Communities: Explore opportunities where it would benefit local people to take local assets from private or public ownership into community ownership.
  • Land/asset owners: Talk to us about opportunities for community stewardship or shared use.
  • Volunteers & professionals: Offer skills (planning, design, trades, finance) to help projects succeed.

More information