Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Statistics (2024)

1. Summary of Findings

• Total land - the amount of derelict and urban vacant land fell by 3% (253 hectares) from 9,111 hectares in 2023 to in 8,858 hectares in 2024. This continued the downward trend. The amount has fallen by more than a quarter (30%) since 2016.
• Previous uses - more than a fifth (22% or 1,858 hectares) of derelict land had previously been used for mineral activity followed by manufacturing (21% or 1,801 hectares).
• Sites reused for housing - more sites were brought back into use for residential purposes than any other use (192 of the 335 reused sites).
• Location relative to deprivation - nine percent of derelict and urban vacant land is located within the 15% most deprived data zones. Just under half (47%) of these are located in Glasgow City.
• Funding sources for land reuse - private sector funding brought back 64 hectares into use. Public sector funding accounted for 31 hectares and mixed public and private funding was used for 17 hectares.
• Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) - has made either a partial or full contribution to the removal of 2 hectares (5 sites). The VDLF has brought a cumulative total of 468 hectares back into use since 2005.