PROPOSALS to halt the longterm decline in the crofting way of life and allow the first new crofts to be created for half a century were outlined yesterday by Ross Finnie, the rural development minister.

It is expected that public bodies and community groups will be most likely to create new crofts, although a plan to allow would-be crofters to waive their right-to-buy is intended to encourage private landowners also to do so.

Gay couples will also be formally acknowledged in the shake-up, with a proposal to recognise civil partners and co-habitees.

For the first time in 50 years, the bill will permit new crofts and new common grazings to be created anywhere in the crofting counties. This, said the Scottish Executive, will enable remote communities to grow, and creates realistic prospects for young families seeking homes in rural areas.

Mr Finnie unveiled details of the draft bill during a visit to Lerwick. He said: "The crofting way of life is unique to the Highlands and Islands. I am determined to see it developed in a sustainable way, to ensure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.

"The measures we are consulting on in the draft bill aim to ensure we have the legislation and regulatory system that crofters want, and delivers real benefits to crofting communities."

The draft bill also proposes schemes allowing development of existing croft land for renewable energy. This was welcomed by the Crofters' Commission, although the Scottish Crofting Foundation warned against breaking the link of the land to agricultural use.

The decision was taken not to extend the region covered by crofting legislation, despite a request from a limited number of small tenant farmers, mainly on Arran and in the northeast, who already see themselves as crofters in all but name.

Brian Wilson, MP for Cunninghame North, which includes Arran, said he hoped that would be reconsidered as part of the consultation on the bill.

David Green, chairman of the commission, said that by loosening tenancy conditions the bill would make it easier for crofters to be enterprising. "It will be possible to target resources on needs and opportunities, rather than regulatory transfers and transactions, " he said.

But the Scottish Crofting Foundation sounded a note of caution. Patrick Krause, its chief executive, said: "Changes to something as fundamental as the legislation underpinning crofting need to be done with great caution to make sure we keep all the strengths of the current system."

THE BILL For the first time since 1955 new crofts can be created anywhere in the crofting counties, preventing the system from withering away.

Tenants of new crofts will be able to waive their right-tobuy, in an attempt to persuade private landowners to create new crofts.

Crofters will have new rights to diversify into other businesses on croft land.

Changes in the control of a croft will only require approval of the commission where the change is contested.

Landlords will have to object to changes rather than just block them by inaction.

The balance of rights will swing slightly towards the crofter.

There will be an appeal to a court for crofters or landlords.