Lochhead targets Crown Estate

SCOTLAND’s devolved government is seeking to make the Crown Estate more accountable to local people in the hope to gain more benefits from the resources the organisation manages.

In Scotland, the Crown Estate owns the seabed up to 12 miles from shore and is answerable to the UK government, not Scottish ministers.

Yesterday (Monday), Scottish rural affairs minister Richard Lochhead revealed that discussions were under way to ensure that the Crown Estate could become accountable to Scotland.

The Crown Estate manages a vast offshore area seen by many as one of the major growth areas of the future as marine renewables are being developed.

The Scottish government said tens of thousands of jobs could be created as up to 68 gigawatts in renewable energy capacity could be installed around Scotland’s coasts over the next 40 years.

In seeking new arrangements with the Crown Estate, Mr Lochhead said: “The people of Scotland should benefit from our marine and natural resources yet, despite the arrival of devolution over a decade ago, the Crown Estate remains unaccountable to Scotland.

“A series of meetings have already begun between Scottish government officials and their Crown Estate and UK government counterparts to explore the options.

“At my most recent meeting with the Secretary of State for Scotland we agreed to hold further talks in the near future about the Crown Estate.”

He added: “Scotland’s offshore energy potential is vast and we have the opportunity to be a world leader in this area.

“Therefore we are continuing to work closely and constructively with the Crown Estate on our ongoing offshore renewables work. However, what is critical is that we ensure that the fruits of this good work stay in Scotland.”