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Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2007
31/01/2008
Updated statistics on the levels of vacant and derelict land in Scotland have been released today by Scotland's Chief Statistician.
The main findings are
- A four per cent decrease in the total levels of vacant and derelict land in Scotland during the previous five years, from 10,687 hectares in 2002 to 10,240 hectares by 2007 (a net fall of 448 hectares, to the nearest hectare). This is partly attributable to land being brought back into productive use, and partly due to land being removed due to naturalisation
- Changes in levels of vacant and derelict land are much more varied at local authority level. Some local authorities (for example Aberdeen City, East Lothian and Falkirk) have much larger than average falls whereas others have recorded increases in total levels of vacant and derelict land (for example Fife and North Ayrshire)
- The 2007 survey recorded an overall decrease of 197 hectares compared with the 2006 survey. Urban vacant land decreased by 167 hectares and derelict land decreased by 30 hectares
The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2007 shows that compared with the previous survey:
- 642 hectares of vacant and derelict land were brought back into productive use. The main new use for this land was residential development (280 hectares)
- Local authorities identified 278 distinct new sites accounting for 369 hectares of vacant and derelict land. Existing sites increased in size by a further 69 hectares
- Where the length of time for which land had lain unused was known, 32 per cent of vacant and derelict land within settlements and 45 per cent of derelict land within the countryside had been unused since before 1986
- Of the 642 hectares brought back into use, 115 hectares received some public funding (either a full or partial contribution). Considering the results of the 2005 to 2007 surveys together, a total of 68 hectares have been brought back into use in Dundee City, Glasgow City and North Lanarkshire, with either a full or partial contribution from the Scottish Government's Vacant and Derelict Land Fund
Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff
The statistical bulletin Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2007 is available to the public from Scottish Government Publication Sales, Blackwell's Bookshop, 53 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YS, Telephone: 0131 622 8283, Fax: 0131 622 8258. Cheques should be made payable to 'Blackwell's Bookshop'. Copies cost £2.00. A copy can also be viewed on the Scottish Government Internet site.