Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 1998: ENV/1999/1

1. Introduction and summary

1.1 This bulletin presents a summary of the results from the 1998 Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey. It is the eighth survey in the series including the pilot study in 1988, the first completed survey in 1990, and enhanced surveys in 1993, 1994, 1995 1996 and 1997. 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 1998 data were not provided by the local authorities, data from previous surveys were carried forward as indicated in the tables. Years in which local authorities did not participate in the survey are shown in Annex Table C.

1.3 The following main points emerge from the 1998 survey:

• There were 12,212 hectares of vacant and derelict land recorded in 1998 of which 4,425 hectares were vacant and 7,787 hectares were derelict.

• 544 sites (823 ha) were reclaimed or brought back into use and a further 237 sites (394 ha) redefined as no longer vacant or derelict. 477 distinct new sites (911 ha) were added.

• Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, West Lothian and Fife together contain 47 per cent of vacant and derelict land.
• Almost half of the derelict land whose previous use was known had been used for processes involving minerals, for example coal, sandstone and limestone (44 per cent), whilst the most significant classification of previous use of vacant land was agriculture (34 per cent).
• Fifty six per cent of land which was vacant or derelict in 1998 had been vacant or derelict for more than thirteen years.

• The most common preferred or intended known use of vacant land was for residential purposes (30 per cent), whilst the most significant group for derelict land was for agriculture (22 per cent).

1.4 It should be noted that while the names of some authorities, (e.g. Glasgow City) remain unchanged after local government reorganisation, their land areas may have changed due to boundary changes. Western Isles Islands Council changed its name to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar from 1 January 1998. In this and other statistical publications they are listed as Eilean Siar.