A radical review of land reform will deliver a more successful Scotland with stronger communities and economic growth, First Minister Alex Salmond said yesterday.

He said it should "deliver radical change for both rural and urban areas".

The new Land Reform Review Group is expected to consult with land users, landowners, community bodies and planning authorities, in a bid to find ways of making it more feasible for communities to own their own land.

It will report to Scottish Ministers between now and the end of 2013, with the end result being a Government report on any legislative changes needed.

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Thirteen advisers in total – with expertise in rural development, the voluntary sector, property and land issues, economics, community-led organisations, forestry and access – will be appointed to the group.

Mr Salmond said: "By improving the relationship between our land and people, we can create stronger communities and deliver the economic growth and fairer society that the people of Scotland quite rightly expect.

"I want this review to deliver radical change for both rural and urban areas, developing new ideas which will improve current legislation as well as generating even more innovative proposals."

The new group was welcomed by Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who said: "At a time when huge amounts of money are being made from new land uses such as renewable energy, it's vital that the economic benefits are not captured by those lucky enough to be born into the families which have hoarded so much of Scotland's land for generations."

(NE)