Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2013

Derelict and Urban Vacant Land^R,5,6: 2006-2012

Area of derelict and urban vacant land (hectares)

Derelict land together with vacant land in urban areas is an unused resource. Every year the Scottish Government conducts a survey of derelict and urban vacant land in each local authority. The main purpose of the survey is to provide a national data source to inform the programming of the rehabilitation, planning and reuse of derelict and urban vacant sites.

Vacant land is land which is unused for the purposes for which it is held and is viewed as an appropriate site for development. This land must either have had prior development on it, or had preparatory work taken place on it in anticipation of future development. Derelict land⁷ (and buildings) is land which has been so damaged by development, that it is incapable of development for beneficial use without rehabilitation. In addition, the land must currently not be used for the purpose for which it is held or a use acceptable in the local plan.

The annual Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey⁸ shows that the total area of derelict and urban vacant land has decreased slightly since 2006. In 2012, there were 10,984 hectares compared to 11,282 hectares in 2006. This change in total area is the result of a fall of 243 hectares in the area of urban vacant land and a fall of 55 hectares in the area of derelict land over the same period. The most recent survey (2012) showed a net decrease of 114 hectares since 2011.

Source: Scottish Government / Metadata