A Labour MSP is seeking to land a double whammy on land ownership after unveiling plans to introduce a presumed limit on individual land ownership.

Proposals by Mercedes Villalba set out in a proposed Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament would see a limit of 500 ha on how much land an individual could own, sell or transfer, above which a public interest test would be triggered.

However, Scottish Land and Estates (SL and E) said the proposals 'would damage our ability to produce food and fuel' and affect many family-owned farms.

Separately, the North-East politician had lodged motion in the Scottish Parliament stating 'there is a need for stronger action to disrupt the concentration of land ownership in Scotland.'

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Ms Villalba described the 'extraordinary high concentration of so much land in the hands of so few' as 'the foundation of the inequality that has blighted Scotland for centuries.' She said: "A small number of extremely wealthy individuals are able to buy up huge tracts of the countryside for themselves, against the backdrop of Tory austerity and a cost-of-living crisis caused by profiteers.

"The super-rich are hoarding land that should be run by community representatives and co-operatives for the benefit of everyone.

"Grouse shooting, landed privilege, and producing carbon credits for vast profits, are being put ahead of environmental restoration, affordable housing and community wealth. It's outrageous that one of the greatest symbols of inequality in Scotland has been unaddressed for so long.

"Even after nearly a quarter of a century of devolution, the Scottish Government is making only timid promises about greater transparency over who owns what land. Scotland is now at a pivotal moment for how land justice can become a priority in our response to the climate crisis."

Responding, Scottish Land and Estates point to a recent report which found estates provide homes for 13,000 families and land for nearly 14,000 rural enterprises and generate an estimated £2.4bn GVA/year for the Scottish economy and support around 57,300 jobs, or around 1 in 10 rural jobs.

In addition, they accounted for 58% of Scotland’s renewable energy generating capacity and made a substantial contribution to Scotland’s natural capital base through agricultural, forestry and renewable energy operations as well being important for carbon sequestration potential and nature-based tourism.

A spokesperson said: “Landowners have embraced great changes in the last 20 years and have engaged constructively over proposals on land reform.

“It is very difficult to do so with these proposals which are riddled with so many inaccuracies and which would damage our ability to produce food and fuel, deliver for climate and biodiversity as well as creating jobs, homes and business opportunities.

“The proposed limit of 500 ha would affect many family-owned farms. Ms Villalba does not seem to grasp this, nor does she appear to be aware of the scale of land reform change which has already happened. Her ideas are somewhat left field – even within her own party.”