Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2023

6. Derelict and Urban Vacant Land: Location and Trends

In 2023 there were 9,111 hectares of derelict and urban vacant land. Derelict land made up four-fifths (80%) of the total. Five councils (North Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, Glasgow, East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway) together contain over 50% of all derelict and urban vacant land. The number of sites was 3,109.

The downward trend in the amount of derelict and urban vacant land continued in 2023. The amount has fallen by more than a quarter (28%) since 2016. The largest fall was in 2021 when 11 former coal mining sites were naturalised and 2 former airfields were reclaimed.

While the majority of derelict sites are located within settlements (78%), derelict sites in the countryside are larger. Sites in the countryside make up 53% of the area of derelict land. The amount of urban vacant land has been falling steadily over the period 2016 to 2023. A fifth (20%) of urban vacant land is located in Glasgow City.