Glasgow hoping to further reduce its total of vacant and derelict land
GLASGOW had last year some 939 hectares (2,320 acres) of vacant and derelict land, according to a city council announcement that it had been successful in securing funding to bring at least a portion of the land into productive use.
939 hectares represents a 1.6 per cent drop on the figure on the year before, 2019. A survey of the current total is ongoing.
Says the council, here: “In December 2020, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Land Commission jointly announced the £50million (over five years) Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) – open to local authorities to apply under a competitive bid system – and assessed through the following criteria: sustained place-based approaches; urban green spaces; community-led regeneration; and low-carbon developments and renewables.”
Two bids from eight submitted were successful from the most recent round of funding. These were:
- Belle Gro’ at the Meat Market – £450,474 to help develop sustainable food growing as part of the Meat Market masterplan, with Milnbank Housing Association; and
- Transforming Avenue End Road Greenspace – a £417,812 award to improve a significant open space in greater Easterhouse, with Seven Lochs Wetland Park.
Meanwhile, the council is expecting to receive over £2m from a related, but separate, fund: the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF).
Adds the council announcement: “The VDLF is a ring-fenced budget allocated to five local authorities, including Glasgow, for the purpose of bringing vacant land into beneficial use in accordance with council and Scottish Government objectives.
“Glasgow received a 2021/22 allocation from Scottish Government of £2.316 million. A delivery plan featuring 11 projects was submitted to – and is awaiting formal approval from – the Scottish Government, and a grant offer letter for £2.316 million is expected shortly.”
Picture credit: Place Design Scotland