Scottish vacant and derelict land survey 2016

9 Derelict and Urban Vacant Land: Previous Uses and Other Characteristics

9.1 This section focuses on what the previous uses were for derelict and urban vacant land before it fell out of use. Information is also provided on how long derelict and urban vacant land has lain out of use and how developable that land is.

9.2 In previous surveys local authorities were asked to indicate up to three preferred future uses for sites as defined in the most recent local plan or other approved local authority planning policy documents. After consultation with relevant stakeholders it was agreed that these data would no longer be collected. Therefore from the 2013 bulletin onwards there is no analysis of future use provided.

9.3 The previous uses of derelict and urban vacant sites are shown in Table 12. Former agricultural land should only be included if it is characterised by specific unsightliness or neglect. However, local authorities have explained that in some instances former agricultural land is released for development and is then classed as vacant where either the land is prepared for development or development starts on the land.

9.4 The previous use was unknown for 636 hectares of land (3% of the total amount of derelict and 14% of the total amount of urban vacant land recorded in 2016). For those sites where the previous use is known, 36% of derelict land recorded in 2016 had previously been used for mineral activity (3,606 hectares), 19% for defence (1,906 hectares) and a further 19% for manufacturing (1,859 hectares). The most common previous use for urban vacant land, where previous use is known, was agriculture (18%, or 328 hectares) and the second most common previous use was residential development, accounting for 17% of recorded urban vacant land (318 hectares).

Table 12: Previous uses of Derelict and Urban Vacant Land, 2016 ¹

1. Figures may not sum due to rounding
2. Excluding manufacturing
3. Excluding passive open space
4. Unknown values are excluded from the calculation of percentages

9.5 Where the length of time a site has lain unused was known, 34% (1,703 hectares) of urban vacant or derelict land within settlements and 31% (2,131 hectares) of derelict land within the countryside had been unused since before 1991 ( Tables 13 and 14). Taken as a whole, 32% (3,834 hectares) of all urban vacant and derelict land across Scotland has been lying unused for at least 25 years. There is a large degree of variation at council level for how long vacant and derelict land has been unused.

Table 13: Sites in Settlements: Date when Urban Vacant or Derelict Land was first identified, by local authority area, 2016 ^1,2,3

1. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
2. Figures are for total vacant land in settlements of 2,000 and over and derelict land in all settlements. Settlements as defined by local authorities in their latest council approved local plans (see Annex Section A.5).
3. See Annex Table E for details of council participation in different years.
4. Unknown values are excluded from the calculation of percentage values.
5. From 2011 LLTNP took responsibility for surveying vacant and derelict land within the park boundaries. These sites are no longer recorded in Argyll & Bute, Perth & Kinross, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire local authority boundaries, and are separately identifiable as LLTNP from 2011. Prior to 2011, these sites were classified within the relevant local authority boundary.
6. 2016 data for Dumfries & Galloway, East Lothian, Highland and West Lothian is carried over from 2015.

Table 14: Sites in the Countryside: Date when Derelict Land was first identified, by local authority area, 2016 ^1,2,3

1. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
2. Figures are for derelict land in the countryside.
3. See Annex Table E for details of council participation in different years
4. Unknown values are excluded from the calculation of percentage values.
5. From 2011 LLTNP took responsibility for surveying vacant and derelict land within the park boundaries. These sites are no longer recorded in Argyll & Bute, Perth & Kinross, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire local authority boundaries, and are separately identifiable as LLTNP from 2011. Prior to 2011, these sites were classified within the relevant local authority boundary.
6. 2016 data for Dumfries & Galloway, East Lothian, Highland and West Lothian is carried over from 2015.

Table 15: Development Potential of Derelict and Urban Vacant Land, 2016 ¹

1. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
2. Expectation of development within five years.
3. Expectation of development between five to ten years.
4. Unknown values are excluded from the calculation of percentage values.

9.6 Table 15 shows the development potential of derelict and urban vacant land as reported by Local Authorities, based on their expectation of when land is likely to be developed. 24% of all derelict land within Scotland (with known development potential) is estimated to be developed in the short term, compared to 45% of all urban vacant land with known development potential. The higher proportion of urban vacant land estimated to be developed in the short term, compared to derelict land, is not surprising given derelict land (by definition) requires some form of rehabilitation before new development can commence. Overall, 28% of all derelict and urban vacant land within Scotland (with known development potential) has been estimated to be developed in the short term. Across Scotland, 31% of derelict land and 3% of urban vacant land is seen by local authorities as being uneconomic to develop and/or is viewed as suitable to reclaim for a 'soft' end use ( i.e. non-built use).

Table 16: Ownership of Derelict and Urban Vacant Land, 2016 ¹

1. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
2. Unknown values are excluded from the calculation of percentage values.

9.7 In 2016, a majority of all derelict and urban vacant land with known ownership had a single private owner (74% or 8,305 hectares). 21% or 2,395 hectares of derelict and urban vacant land with known ownership had a single public owner. The remaining 6% of derelict and urban vacant land with known ownership is split 4% (413 hectares) mixed public and private ownership 1% (101 hectares) multiple private owners and 1% (83 hectares) multiple public owners. Out of all the 12,435 hectares of derelict and urban vacant land recorded in 2016, 9% (1,138 hectares) has ownership unknown to the local authority.