Land Value Capture - an exploration of methods & views

BEFS is keen to continue the momentum for exploration and discussion around this topic, particularly at a time of growing interest in land value capture as a means of allowing communities to benefit from a greater share in the uplift in land value arising from the grant of planning consent.

One of the greatest obstacles to securing more housing is often seen as the price of land. There is also a body of opinion that considers that landowners, whose land can increase vastly in value as a result of obtaining planning permission for housing, should return some of that value to the community.

In Scotland, the issue has been brought into sharper focus by two reports, both published in 2017. The first, commissioned by BEFS and undertaken by the Centre for Progressive Capitalism looked at the potential for financing local infrastructure using land value capture in the Edinburgh City Region. The second, prepared for the Scottish Land Commission by Laurie Macfarlane, looks at the operation of the wider housing market in Scotland and suggests a number of policy options to improve the supply of land for housing, including public land value capture. The Scottish Land Commission has engaged in further research on the topic, the results of which should be available for discussion by the end of May.

This event will provide a forum for built environment professionals and others with an interest in land to discuss the potential for land value capture as a means of:

• increasing housing supply across all tenures
• funding future infrastructure
• investing in placemaking

Over the course of the day we will hear from those presenting a range of Land Value Capture models. Then there will be a variety of perspectives - land owners, house builders, property/estates professionals and the public sector - discussing the possibilities and challenges for change.

These areas will be discussed through panel sessions with time for Q&A following each.

Contributing individuals and organisations confirmed include:

Opening Presentation:
Shona Glenn, Scottish Land Commission

Morning Panel Session - Exploring LVC Models:
Thomas Aubrey, Centre for Progressive Capitalism
Malcolm Fraser, Common Weal
Dr John Boyle, Rettie
Archie Rintoul, Chartered Surveyor

Afternoon Structured Discussion:
Alastair White, Homes for Scotland and Muir Homes
Kevin Whitaker, Homes for Scotland and CALA Homes
Plus other contributors from a range of backgrounds

Allan Lundmark, Chair

The day with start with registration at 10am - and conclude by 3.30pm. Lunch will be provided.