Introduction

The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey (SVDLS) is a data collection to establish the extent and state of vacant and derelict land in Scotland. The survey has been operating since 1988. The data are collected from local authorities and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority. From 2011, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park took responsibility for surveying vacant and derelict land within the park boundaries. Sites within Cairngorms National Park boundaries are still surveyed by the relevant local authorities.

These statistics provide the evidence base for monitoring the extent and state of urban vacant and derelict land. They are also used for monitoring the remediation of vacant and derelict land and progress in bringing it into re-use. The statistics can be used to inform the programming of rehabilitation, planning, and reuse of urban vacant and derelict sites.

The statistics will also provide a useful source of information in monitoring the impact of place-based regeneration capital investment. This investment, including the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, is helping tackle persistent vacant and derelict land, supporting place-based approaches to delivering regeneration and sustainable inclusive growth and contributes to our ambitions for net zero.

General Points to Note

Vacant land is land unused for the purposes for which it is held and which is viewed as an appropriate site for development. This land must either have had prior development on it or preparatory work must have taken place in anticipation of future development.

Derelict land (and buildings) is land which has been so damaged by development, that it is incapable of development for beneficial use without rehabilitation. In addition, the land must currently not be used for the purpose for which it is held or a use acceptable in the local plan. Land also qualifies as derelict if it has an un-remedied previous use which could limit future development. For both vacant and derelict land, site records must be at least 0.1 hectares in size to be included.

Urban Vacant land: the survey covers vacant land that is located within settlements of over 2,000 in population. Some local authorities have also surveyed for vacant land within settlements of under 2,000 in population so these sites are also included. The survey does not cover vacant land in the countryside.

All references to ‘Area' and 'Size' are measured in hectares.

1 hectare = 10,000 square metres (100 metres x 100 metres). The playing area of an international-sized rugby union pitch is just over one hectare.

All references to 'Sites' are numbers.

An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

These statistics are accredited official statistics. The Office for Statistics Regulation has independently reviewed and accredited these statistics as complying with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

These statistics were accredited on 3rd June 2013. The confirmation letter can be found on the OSR web archive Statistics on Housing and Planning in Scotland Office for Statistics Regulation. The OSR conducted a compliance check in 2021, which can be found on the OSR website Mark Pont to Roger Halliday: Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey Statistics – Office for Statistics Regulation.

Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

Scottish Government statistics are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

More information about Scottish Government statistics is available on the Scottish Government website.