Scotland initiates Crown Estate devolution

Scottish Ministers plan to set up a new interim public body that would manage the UK Crown Estate assets in Scotland.

Scottish government has launched an eight week consultation seeking views on the interim management arrangements to ensure a smooth transition and continuity to Crown Estate staff, tenants and customers, the government informed.

It will also seek views and engage stakeholders on how best to devolve and manage these assets for the benefit of all of Scotland later this year.

In addition to other assets in Scotland, the Crown Estate manages leasing of the seabed out to 12 nautical miles and rights to generate electricity from wind, waves, and tides, rights to manage cables and pipelines on the continental Shelf, as well as half of Scotland’s foreshore including 5,000 licensed moorings, 800 aquaculture sites, and salmon fishing rights.

Roseanna Cunningham said: “Establishing the interim body is only the beginning of the transfer journey for the Crown Estate in Scotland. To ensure continuity and to meet timescales, we need to set up a temporary arrangement. That will give us all the space and time we need to consider how best to manage these vital assets for our long term, future benefit.”

The consultation on the proposals will run until August 26, 2016, with details on the consultation available at the Scottish government’s website.