Key Points

• Total land - The amount of derelict and urban vacant land fell by 3% (267 hectares) from 8,858 hectares in 2024 to in 8,591 hectares in 2025. This continued the downward trend. The amount has fallen by more than a fifth (22%) since 2019.

• Previous uses - More than a fifth (22% or 1,793 hectares) of derelict land had previously been used for manufacturing followed by mineral activity (22% or 1,775 hectares).

• Sites reused for housing - More sites were brought back into use for residential purposes than any other use (49 of the 144 reused sites).

• Location relative to deprivation - Glasgow City had more sites (48%) located in the 15% most deprived data zones than any other local authority.

• People’s proximity to derelict land - In 2025, over a quarter (26%) of Scotland’s population was estimated to live within 500 metres of a derelict site.

• Funding sources for land reuse - Private sector funding brought back 46 hectares into use. Public sector funding accounted for 9 hectares and mixed public and private funding was used for 13 hectares.

• Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) - The VDLF has made either a partial or full contribution to the removal of 0.1 hectares (1 site). The VDLF has brought a cumulative total of 468 hectares back into use since 2005.