Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Statistics (2024)

6. Derelict and Urban Vacant Land: Location and Trends

The amount of derelict and urban vacant land fell by 3% (253 hectares) from 9,111 hectares in 2023 to 8,858 hectares in 2024. Derelict land made up four-fifths (80%) of the total. Five councils (North Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, Glasgow, East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway) together contain over 50% of all derelict and urban vacant land.

The downward trend in the amount of derelict and urban vacant land continued in 2024. The amount has fallen by more than a quarter (30%) since 2016. The largest fall was in 2021 when 11 former coal mining sites were naturalised and 2 former airfields were reclaimed.

While the majority of derelict sites are located within settlements (77%), derelict sites in the countryside are larger. Sites in the countryside make up 52% of the area of derelict land. The amount of urban vacant land has been falling steadily over the period 2016 to 2024. A fifth (20%) of urban vacant land is located in Glasgow City.