Vacant and derelict land: the numbers

THE number of hectares of vacant and derelict land in Scotland has fallen 21 per cent between 2015 and 2021.

Says a survey published by the Scottish Government, that means a drop from 2,393 hectares to 1,898.

Of that 1,898, Glasgow City had the most urban vacant land with 364 hectares, followed by Dundee City (177 hectares), North Ayrshire (168 hectares), North Lanarkshire (151 hectares) and Fife (116 hectares).

Says the survey, here: “In 2021, the largest areas of urban vacant land in Scotland were Montrose Airfield, Angus (52 hectares), a site in Spango Valley, Greenock (23 hectares) and a site in Redburn, Irvine, North Ayrshire (22 hectares).”

The survey goes on to say: “Changes in the relative amount of urban vacant land in Scotland between 2015 and 2021 show variation at council level. The largest reduction in terms of area was in Glasgow City, down by 143 hectares from 508 hectares in 2015 to 364 hectares in 2021. 26 planning authorities recorded percentage decreases since 2015, the remaining seven showed an increase.”

Pictured: Seafield, Edinburgh, Picture credit: Place Design Scotland