Scottish Government investment continues to help drive progress
The amount of vacant and derelict land in Scotland has fallen by more than a quarter since 2016 according to the latest annual survey.
Of 335 sites brought back into use in 2024, 192 – more than half – were reclaimed for housing.
Welcoming the figures, Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “Redevelopment of vacant and derelict land for housing or businesses can turn an under-utilised asset into productive use and reduce the need for greenfield development.
“Reuse of vacant and derelict land can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, promote environmental justice and improved quality of life, and help to support communities to flourish and tackle inequalities.
“Our Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme has been a driver of this progress, with £36.5 million invested in 2021-22 which has resulted in a cumulative total of 468 hectares of vacant and derelict land being brought back into use.
“The fund will continue over the current year, and 11 projects will be supported by over £9.5 million of funding from this Programme in 2025/26.”
Some of Scotland’s longest standing vacant and derelict sites will be transformed into affordable housing, community gardens and places of enterprise and learning by awards from a £50 million programme.
Ten schemes will share more than £5 million from the low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, driving regeneration and innovation while tackling climate change.
Successful projects include:
redevelopment of more challenging building plots to help deliver 133 net zero and affordable homes through the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator programme
installing heat pump technology to reduce carbon emissions for proposed commercial developments on vacant land at Magenta Business Park in South Lanarkshire
decontaminating and redeveloping former industrial land for social housing and outdoor pursuits near the Forth and Clyde Canal in the East Dunbartonshire village of Twechar
regenerating derelict land in east Greenock to create a Carwood Street Food Growing Project for local people in a less affluent area
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur said: “Derelict sites are often found in more disadvantaged areas and can hold back development of communities.
“This programme is delivering community regeneration and tackling climate change, in line with our national strategy to transform the economy and deliver sustainable and inclusive growth and a fairer society.
“At the same time as announcing these grants, we are opening the programme to projects seeking funding in 2023/24 and I look forward to building on the momentum generated by today’s investments.”
Depute Chief Executive at East Dunbartonshire Council Ann Davie said: “This funding is a welcome contribution that will aid us in regenerating the derelict former industrial canal site in Twechar.
“The funding can be used for land acquisition, soil remediation, utilities and access infrastructure, which will allow the site to be developed for social housing.
“These new homes will help us to achieve the energy efficiency aims we have set out for the site as each will be built to Passivhaus standards, resulting in low heating bill for tenants.
“This project also complements the work we’re doing in partnership with Twechar Community Action on the adjoining site, which recently secured Scottish Government Regeneration Capital grant funding, to help in the building of a new Outdoor Pursuits Centre. This will offer opportunities and benefits to the local community as well as attracting more visitors to the area.
The low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme is now open for Stage 1 (2023-24) applications. More information can be found here:
A new report by Andy Wightman MSP, Housing and Land Reform spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, shows that giving local councils the power to tax the 20,000 football pitches’ worth of vacant and derelict land in Scotland could generate £200 million a year to build affordable homes and tackle the housing crisis.Continue reading Green report shows taxing derelict land could help tackle housing crisis
