This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Encouraging trend on land use - Minister
17/03/2003
The total amount of vacant land in Scotland continued to
fall in 2002, according to statistics published today.
The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey, which has
been carried out annually since 1993, shows that the amount
of vacant land in Scotland fell by 434 hectares during
2002, reflecting the Executive's long-term commitment to
the re-use of previously developed sites.
A comparison with base-line figures show that the total
amount of vacant and derelict land has decreased by over 28
per cent, from 15,400 hectares in 1993 to 11,053 hectares
in 2002.
Two-thirds of local authorities have seen a drop of up
to 50 per cent in the amount of vacant and derelict land in
their areas since 1996.
The statistics do show an increase in the area of
derelict land in Scotland, however, this can be accounted
for by the closure of the Royal Ordnance factory in
Bishopton and the inclusion of revised statistics from
Highland Council, which last submitted a return nine years
ago.
Deputy Minister for Social Justice Des McNulty said:
"Although the overall figure for derelict land has
risen, mainly due to the addition of one major site, we are
encouraged by the ongoing re-use of vacant and derelict
land. There is a continuing need to prioritise the
redevelopment of this land using flexible and innovative
solutions and this will remain central to the Executive's
land use planning policies.
"Environmental justice is one of the Executive's key
priorities. That is why we have committed 20 million pounds
over the next three years for the re-use of vacant and
derelict land in the areas worst affected by this
problem.
"Bringing large sites such as Ravenscraig, Glasgow
Harbour and Bishopton back into productive use represents
significant challenges, but also significant opportunities
for regeneration. However, the contribution of small sites
is equally important, particularly at a local level in
communities which are blighted by degraded
surroundings."
The bulletin Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey
2002 is available to the public from the Stationery Office
Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AZ (Tel. 0131
479 3141). It costs £2.
The Executive announced £2 million in the budget over
three years for Vacant and Derelict Land Fund
(£0m/£8m/£12m):
- Glasgow and North Lanarkshire £16m
(£0/£6m/£10m)
- Dundee £4m (£0/£2m/£2m)
Following closure of the Royal Ordnance factory in
Bishopton, a working group including representatives of the
Executive, the Scottish Enterprise network, Renfrewshire
Council and local community and business interests, was
established to prepare a development strategy for the area.
The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan, approved by
Ministers in 2002, identifies Bishopton as the best
location for long-term expansion on the west side of the
Glasgow conurbation.