Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2012

Derelict and Urban Vacant Land^R,[5],[6]: 2002-2011

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 land^[7] (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 Survey^[8] shows that the total area of derelict and urban vacant land has increased slightly since 2005. In 2011, there were 10,809 hectares compared to 10,528 hectares in 2005. This change in total area is the result of a fall of 205 hectares in the area of urban vacant land and a rise of 486 hectares in the area of derelict land over the same period. The most recent survey (2011) showed a net decrease of 47 hectares since 2010.

Source: Scottish Government / Metadata