The SVDLS is a survey undertaken to establish the extent and state of vacant and derelict land in Scotland. The survey has been operating since 1988 and is managed by a joint COSLA/Scottish Executive Sub Group of the Scottish Statistical Liaison Committee (SSLC). The Scottish Executive Environment and Planning Statistics Branch manages the operation of the survey on behalf of the SSLC.

The data provided by you as part of this survey provides an invaluable source of information relating to vacant and derelict sites and assists in reinforcing and justifying national policy established to bring about the re-use of these wasted resources.

The following diagram summarises the SVDLS process:

1) The key requirements

The survey requires that you:

• Check and amend, if necessary, information held on sites previously identified.
• Add details of any new sites that you have identified since the last survey.
• Remove and inform us of any sites which are no longer to be included as vacant or derelict.

2) Electronic Returns

To return the required information electronically you should:

• Use database SVDLS-A to record new sites and to update or amend information on previously identified sites which are still to be included.
• Use database SVDLS-B to record details of sites, wholly or in part, which you are removing from the main SVDLS-A database.

3) Manual Returns

If you are unable to return the data electronically, paper returns should be completed as follows:

• Updated information for sites included in the 1998 survey should be recorded on the turnaround document.
• New sites should be recorded on the SVDLS/A form.
• Sites, or parts of sites, which are no longer to be included as vacant or derelict should be included on the SVDLS/B form.

Turnaround document: This contains the information The Scottish Executive currently hold relating to the sites in your authority (from the 1998 SVDLS). All site details require to be checked and amended in red ink if necessary.

SVDLS/A: This return should be completed for any sites which are presently vacant or derelict but which were not recorded in the 1998 survey. This may be as a result of the site becoming vacant or derelict since the last survey or information on the site only becoming available since the last survey.

SVDLS/B: This return collects details of:

• The amount of vacant land which has been brought back into use since the last survey
• The reclamation of derelict land since the last survey
• Land taken out of the survey for definitional reasons

VACANT LAND

4) What should be recorded as VACANT land?

For the purposes of this survey, vacant land is either:

• land in urban settlements (with a population of 2,000 or more) or
• land within 1km of the edge of such settlements, which would commonly be considered as havingthe characteristics of urban vacant land, (e.g. some combination of factors generally including beingunused or unsightly or land which would benefit from development or improvement etc.)

5) How to decide whether land is vacant or merely open space

The distinction between passive open space, incidental open space and vacant land has proved problematic. If the answer to any of the following questions is yes, then the site is not vacant:

• Does the land appear to be designed as open space?
• Is there knowledge of any actual or notional maintenance regime?

If there is doubt as to whether or not a site is ‘vacant’ or ‘open space’, give open space the benefit of the doubtand do not classify the site as vacant.

If development is proposed for open space at some point in the future, the open space remains not vacant even where identified for development and should not be included in the survey unless or until it has acquired the characteristics of urban vacant land.

However, where a site has been treated and prepared for development, e.g. for industry, classify the site as vacant even if it functions temporarily as open space.

6) Should Area Renewal Sites be included as vacant?

Area Renewal Sites (renewal of public sector housing estates), should be included as vacant only after demolition has started. The site boundary should be based on the area for intended redevelopment which may encompass old roads, incidental open space etc. but should be so defined as to exclude any occupied buildings or buildings whose demolition is not certain.

Note: Area Renewal specifically refers to the renewal of public sector housing estates and is to be distinguished from the normal process of urban regeneration. It is identified as a special case because of its prevalence in the major urban areas and the need to simplify and clarify how it should be classified for this survey.

7) What sites should definitely not be included as vacant?

Do not include:

a) Sites which cover less than 0.1 hectare.

However, if several small contiguous sites of less than 0.1 ha. are regarded as a single site for redevelopment/refurbishment purposes, then a SINGLE combined entry for the aggregated area may be made, provided that this is at least 0.1 ha.

b) Land held for operational needs (for example railways, mineral workings etc.)

c) Saltings, marshes or such like

d) Agricultural Land within the curtilage of an agricultural holding (even if it is set aside, fallow or unsightly)

e) Countryside or abandoned farmland, unless the site is characterised by specific unsightliness or neglect associated with former urban or industrial activity or severe concentrations of tipping. If classification is in doubt, do not include as vacant

f) Agricultural land or countryside identified for future development, (e.g. a greenfield release for housing, industry). Such land will generally remain outwith the scope of the vacant land exercise altogether. However, if development proceeds, pockets of such land might be judged as vacant if they become unsightly and/or remain undeveloped within the new urban envelope,

i.e. if they take on the characteristics of urban vacant land.

DERELICT LAND

8) What should be recorded as DERELICT land?

For the purposes of this survey, derelict land (and buildings) in urban and rural areas includes:

• land which has been so damaged by development or use that it is incapable of development for beneficial use without rehabilitation and;
• which is not being used for the purpose for which it is held or for a use acceptable in the local plan;
• land which is not being used and where contamination is known or suspected (even if treatment is required only for the buildings thereon)

9) How should operational sites be recorded which are partly derelict?

Where part of an operational site is derelict, the site should be split if possible. Where this is not possible, assess whether priority is given to the operational use or to rehabilitation of the site (within 5 years). Include the site in the survey if the priority is to site rehabilitation.

10) What sites should definitely not be included as derelict?

Do not include:

a) sites which cover less than 0.1 hectare;

However, if several small contiguous sites of less than 0.1 ha. are regarded as a single site for redevelopment/refurbishment purposes, then a SINGLE combined entry for the aggregated area may be made, provided that this is at least 0.1 hectare;

b) operational sites where rehabilitation would not be possible or appropriate within five years;

c) land which is derelict through natural causes (for example neglected woodland/farmland, marshland or mudflats) and which appears to have blended into the landscape.

The following points affect vacant AND derelict sites

11) How should a site be recorded which is part vacant and part derelict?

A site which is part vacant and part derelict should be recorded as derelict.

12) Should a site be included if it is already included on the ESR?

Any vacant or derelict sites already included on the Employment Sites Register (ESR) should also be included in the SVDLS provided they fit the criteria set out above.

13) Should a site be included if development has been started but abandoned?

Where development has been started then abandoned, consideration should be given to the likelihood of completion and the state of dereliction/unsightliness in deciding whether the site should be classified as vacant, derelict, or neither.