1. Introduction and summary

1.1 This bulletin presents a summary of the results from the 1996 Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey. It is the sixth survey in the series including the pilot study in 1988, the first completed survey in 1990, and enhanced surveys in 1993, 1994 and 1995. 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 Office Development Department. Where 1996 data were not provided by the local authorities, data from previous surveys were carried forward.

1.3 The following main points emerge from the 1996 survey:

· There were 13,101 hectares of vacant and derelict land recorded in 1996 of which 4,618 hectares were vacant and 8,482 hectares were derelict.

· Thirty three per cent of vacant and derelict land was within Glasgow or North Lanarkshire.

· Where known, almost half of derelict land had previously been used for processes involving minerals, for example coal, sandstone and limestone (49 per cent), whilst the most significant classification of previous use of vacant land was agriculture (33 per cent).

· Sixty per cent of land which was vacant or derelict in 1996 had been vacant or derelict for more than eleven years.

· Where known, the most preferred or intended use of vacant land was for residential purposes (29 per cent), whilst the most significant group for derelict land was for agriculture (29 per cent).

Chart 1: Vacant and derelict land by unitary authority, 1996

1.4 It should be noted that while the names of some authorities, (e.g. Glasgow) remain unchanged after local government reorganisation, their land areas may have changed due to boundary changes.

Table 1: Vacant and derelict land by unitary authority area¹