Housing benefits from 2% reduction in derelict and urban vacant land

The total amount of derelict and urban vacant land in Scotland has decreased by 253 hectares from the previous year with housing the main beneficiary, according to new figures.

Data from the 2016 Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey revealed that derelict and urban vacant land decreased 2% from 12,688 hectares in 2015 to 12,435 hectares in 2016.

The most common new use for gap sites was residential, with 62% (199 hectares) reclaimed for housing.

The decrease is explained by 321 hectares that were brought back into use and 142 hectares that were naturalised (93 hectares of which is for a former surface coal site in East Ayrshire). This balances against 165 hectares of new derelict and vacant land reported by local authorities, along with a net increase of 45 hectares due to changes in existing sites.

Of the 165 hectares of new derelict and urban vacant land reported by local authorities, the most common previous land uses were related to manufacturing or other general industrial uses, which accounted for 75 hectares or 45% of new land reported.

The total amount of derelict and urban vacant land has decreased in each year between 2010 and 2016 (annual decreases ranging from 0.2% to 3%), except for 2014 when there was an increase of 2,090 hectares (19%) compared to 2013, largely due to over 2,200 hectares of former surface coal mine sites in East Ayrshire that had become derelict following the liquidation of Scottish Coal and ATH Resources in 2013.

These annual changes have combined to show a cumulative increase of 1,064 hectares (9 per cent) in the total amount of derelict and urban vacant land recorded since 2010, from 11,372 hectares in 2010 to 12,435 hectares in 2016. However when excluding derelict mineral sites there has been a cumulative decrease of 741 hectares (8%) in the total amount of derelict and urban vacant land since 2010.

Of the 12,435 hectares of derelict and urban vacant land recorded in the 2016 survey, 2,156 hectares (17%) were classified as urban vacant and 10,279 hectares (83%) were classified as derelict.

The local authority with the largest amount of recorded derelict and urban vacant land is East Ayrshire, containing 2,457 hectares (20% of the Scotland total). Highland has the second largest amount with 1,342 hectares (11%), North Ayrshire is third with 1,330 hectares (11%), followed by North Lanarkshire with 1,222 hectares (10%) then Glasgow City with 1,111 hectares (9%).

Since its inception in 2005/06, the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund has contributed (either fully or partially) to the reuse of 367 hectares (in total) of previously derelict and urban vacant land across Dundee City, Glasgow City, Highland, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and more recently Fife.

Commenting on the figures, local government minister Kevin Stewart said: “It is good to see a reduction in the amount of land in Scotland which is either derelict or vacant in urban areas. Last year over 320 hectares of land – the equivalent of about 450 football pitches – were brought back in to use, with almost two thirds of that for residential purposes. However challenges remain as there was also 165 hectares of new derelict and urban vacant land reported.

“That is why we are committed to continuing to reduce the amount of vacant and derelict land and improving communities the length and breadth of Scotland. Our Vacant and Derelict Land Fund has been supporting local areas since 2005 to fund the reuse of land where it is needed most. Since 2005 around 150,000 residential properties in Dundee, Fife, Glasgow, Highland, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire have seen sites within less than half a kilometre of their home brought back into use.

“We’ll continue to target funding to tackle long-term vacant and derelict land in Scotland, whilst also stimulating economic growth, promoting environmental justice and improving quality of life in local communities.”