3. 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. A further 24% were estimated to live between 500 and 1,000 metres from a derelict site. People’s proximity to derelict land varies substantially by authority.

The council with the highest proportion of its population estimated to live within 500m of derelict land was North Lanarkshire (69%). In Na h-Eileanan Siar, none of the population was estimated to live within 500 metres of a derelict site. Just over a quarter (26%) of Scotland’s population was estimated to live within 500m of a long-term derelict site (became derelict prior to 2008).