About RoACBL

Register of Applications by Community Bodies to Buy Land

RoACBL contains the applications by community bodies to buy abandoned, neglected or detrimental land and applications by community bodies to buy land to further sustainable development. Use this site to view applications on the register.

The aim of the legislation is to bring land into productive use that benefit communities throughout Scotland.

The register consists of two parts:

• The first is a register of information and documents relating to applications for the right to buy abandoned, neglected or detrimental land. Applications of this type will be allocated a registration number with the prefix AB.
• The second is a register of information and documents relating to applications for the right to buy land to further sustainable development. Applications of this type will be allocated a registration number with the prefix SD.

Legal requirements for RoACBL

The website provides a facility to view information and documents relating to applications that have been made by community bodies to buy abandoned, neglected or detrimental land and applications that have been made by community bodies to buy land to further sustainable development which have been registered in the Register of Applications by Community Bodies to Buy Land (RoACBL).

The legal basis of RoACBL is section 52 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 which establishes the register. The content of the register insofar as abandoned, neglected or detrimental land is concerned is prescribed in section 97F of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (as amended). The content of the register insofar as land to further sustainable development is concerned is prescribed in section 52 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.

Applications by Community Bodies for registration are made to Scottish Ministers who are responsible for receiving the applications and making the registration decisions. The duty on the Keeper to make the register publicly available is set out in section 52 of the 2016 Act. The Register must be available, at all reasonable times, for public inspection free of charge. Extracts of entries are available and cost £30 for a colour extract £16 for a black and white copy, subject to VAT.

The main objective of the register is to provide transparent and free access to source information relating to applications under Community Right to Buy Abandoned, Neglected or Detrimental Land and Community Right to Buy land to further sustainable development.

Definition of application statuses

The current status of an application, indicated on the register, can be one of six states.

• Pending: is awaiting ministerial decision.
• RTB activated (right to buy activated): when Scottish Ministers have approved the application. This status will be in place until the community group purchases the land or withdraws the application, or the landowner successfully appeals Scottish Ministers decision.
• Withdrawn: when the community body has withdrawn the application
• Rejected: application has been rejected by Scottish Ministers
• Declined: application does not meet the criteria for consideration
• Completed: when a community body has purchased the land