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Statistical Bulletin ENV/2002/1: Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2001
Introduction and summary
1.1 This bulletin presents a summary of the results from the 2001 Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey (SVDLS). It is the eleventh survey in the series including the pilot study in 1988, the first completed survey in 1990, and enhanced surveys conducted annually since 1993. The survey is the only national data source for vacant and derelict land.
1.2 The survey is a co-operative effort between local authorities and the Scottish Executive Development Department. Where data were not provided in 2001 by some local authorities, data from previous surveys were carried forward to provide a best estimate. Such cases are indicated in the tables, and Annex Table D shows annual participation rates by local authorities since 1994.
1.3 The following main points emerge from the 2001 survey:
- There were 10,607 hectares of vacant and derelict land recorded in 2001 of which 3,763 hectares were vacant and 6,845 hectares were derelict.
- 477 sites (792 ha) were reclaimed or brought back into use and a further 102 sites (355 ha) redefined as no longer vacant or derelict. 131 sites (252 ha) that were formerly classified as being vacant or derelict were removed from the survey due to naturalisation. 383 distinct new sites (521 ha) were added.
- North Lanarkshire and Glasgow City together contain 31 per cent of recorded vacant and derelict land. Ten local authorities account for 72 per cent of recorded vacant and derelict land (see Chart 1).
- Where previous use was known, mineral activities (e.g. coal, sandstone & limestone extraction) accounted for 33 per cent of recorded derelict land, whereas agriculture accounted for 29 per cent of recorded vacant land. These were the most significant previous uses for derelict and vacant land respectively.
- Where the length of time for which land had lain unused was known, 24 per cent of urban vacant and derelict land and 40 per cent of rural derelict land had been unused since before 1981.
- The most common preferred or intended uses for vacant land were residential development (38 per cent) and manufacturing (17 pre cent), and for derelict land were residential development (14 per cent) and agriculture (14 per cent).
- The most common new use for derelict land reclaimed in the year since the previous survey was mineral activities (29 per cent). For vacant land brought back into use during the same period, the most common new use was residential development (43 per cent).
- Overall, there has been a decrease in the amount of vacant and derelict land recorded in the survey, from 15,400 hectares in 1993 to 10,607 hectares in 2001. This is partly attributable to land being brought back into productive use, and partly due to land being removed for definitional reasons or due to naturalisation.
Chart 1: Vacant and derelict land by local authority, 2001
Note: Data for Highland are taken from the 1993 survey
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