Land Managers' Training Day 2025

Compulsory purchase and other statutory powers – Scott Logan, Partner, Brodies LLP   

Scott will cover compulsory purchase and other statutory powers being used to secure transport, grid and other infrastructure upgrades and provide pointers on how best to engage in the process, protect property and business interests, and secure fair compensation.

Housing & Energy Efficiency Update -  Anna Gardiner, Policy Adviser Rural Property, Scottish Land & Estates

Anna will give an overview of the progress of the Housing Bill and the government proposals for EPC Reform and the Heat in Buildings Bill, clarifying the position as is stands today and touching on mitigations against impact of the forthcoming change.

Considering Biodiversity in Scotland: What Land Managers Need to Know - Joseph Dance, Strategic Ecologist & Francesca Fowler-Walsh, Natural Capital, Savills

Biodiversity is increasingly hitting the headlines and all GB nations are actively integrating biodiversity net gain, in various forms, into their planning policy. Rural land is uniquely placed to provide off-site biodiversity offsetting solutions but also hosts many of our most valuable habitats which may be impacted when seeking to develop land. Therefore, it is increasingly important for land managers and estate owners to understand how to navigate the evolving landscape of biodiversity in practice and the planning system and to consider this in the context of their wider estate strategies. 

Joseph Dance and Francesca Fowler-Walsh will outline the context of biodiversity in Scotland, explore lessons learnt from the rollout of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain in England, and discuss how biodiversity net gain may impact an estate’s management. With growing focus on environmental responsibility, they will also discuss practical steps to assess and enhance biodiversity on an estate and provide insights into how land managers can contribute to nature recovery

Where next for agriculture support? An update on schemes and making the most of the opportunities, Eleanor Kay, Senior Policy Adviser (Agriculture & Climate Change) Scottish Land & Estates

As the Agricultural Reform Programme continues to be rolled out hear the latest information on what to expect, when to expect it and what opportunities there may be . As the Scottish Government begins to introduce secondary legislation from the Agriculture & Rural Communities Act get an update on what has been introduced and what happens next. 

Workshop Session 1

FIRNS scheme update – Graeme Leith, Partner, Brodies LLP

Brodies has been involved on a project funded as part of the FIRNS scheme to draft template contracts for the sale and purchase of carbon units from woodland creation and peatland restoration projects in the UK. The project comes to an end on 31 March 2025 and the template contracts will be available for use from then, along with detailed guidance. Graeme Leith has been lead solicitor for the project and this workshop explains the rational for the project, the approach taken in drafting the template contracts and how these can be utilised by landowners and purchasers of units.

Maximising compensation and income from access rights for renewables projects and from utilities projects, Kenneth Munn, Savills

This workshop, led by Kenneth Munn, will explore how landowners can maximise opportunities and navigate challenges in relation to access rights and utilities and projects. With extensive experience in compulsory purchase, wayleave negotiations, and infrastructure compensation, Kenneth will provide practical guidance negotiating agreements and mitigating project impacts. Key topics include: Access rights for renewables projects, wayleave agreements, compensation strategies for landowners, Infrastructure impacts and mitigation.

Drawing on real case studies, this session will equip attendees with expert insights to make informed decisions on managing access and rights across their land.

Hunting with Dogs Licensing Workshop – Nadia Flaherty, Policy Adviser, Wildlife Management & Ross Ewing Director of Moorland, Scottish Land & Estates

NatureScot’s operation of the licensing scheme for hunting with dogs has entered its second year of operation. The licensing scheme permits the use of more than two dogs to flush foxes from cover to waiting guns for the prevention of serious damage to livestock or for environmental benefit. SLE has been in receipt of several member queries regarding the licensing scheme, and this workshop aims to share insights based on these FAQs. We will also provide advice and guidance on how to ensure applications enjoy the best prospect of success; and how to engage with NatureScot to ensure there is mutual understanding of the issues faced by applicants. 

Community engagement – a good investment in trust. A workshop, delivered by Emma Cooper, Head of Land Rights and Responsibilities and Uwe Stoneman, Good Practice Adviser for the Scottish Land Commission.

The Land Reform (Scotland) 2024 Bill includes a requirement for community engagement over land management plans. This workshop will explore how landowners and managers can use existing guidance to achieve good practice in community engagement, that is meaningful and mutually beneficial. Both Emma and Uwe have practical experience in land management and community engagement, which together with their work as part of the Land Commission’s Good Practice Team has shaped their belief that good community engagement is an investment in trust, which can provide a significant positive return for landowners as well as communities.

Expert Panel Session

• Stephen Young, Director of Policy, Scottish Land & Estates
• Kenneth Munn, Director, Rural Management, Savills
• Clive Phillips, Partner, Brodies LLP

An opportunity to question the panel on a wide range of rural business issues.