Community Ownership and Local Landed Power

Primary Author or Creator:
Andy Wightman
Publisher:
Land Matters
Alternative Published Date
2026
Category:
Type of Resource:
Blog
Fast Facts

Attempts to take over community land trusts by wealthy land owners.

More details

There are three lessons to learn from this experience

The first is that there are an increasing number of small communities where millionaires have moved in, bought a series of properties and undertaken commercial development.

Secondly, unlike most of continental Europe, local economic development in places like Glengarry is carried out by community development companies run by volunteer directors and trustees (though often with paid staff), and no statutory powers.

Third.  In contrast to the communes and municipalities of continental Europe, membership of organisations like the Trust is voluntary. Local people join if they want to. In many cases, not many local people are members which makes it more likely that it can be taken over by hostile forces.

English