5. Derelict and urban vacant land: previous uses and development potential

Chart 2: Manufacturing and Mineral Activity are the most common previous uses of derelict and urban vacant land.

The top 5 previous uses of derelict and urban vacant land (area in hectares) in Scotland based on the 2025 register.

22% or 1,775 hectares of derelict land had previously been used for mineral activity. A quarter had been used for manufacturing (22% or 1,793 hectares). For urban vacant land, 13% had been used for manufacturing and a further 13% had former residential use.

Thirty-nine per cent of urban vacant land is considered to be developable in the short term (within 5 years). This is higher than for derelict land, where 17% is developable in the short term However, 34% of derelict land is considered developable within 10 years.