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From Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2025 published yesterday, the above and:

Total land – The amount of derelict and urban vacant land fell by 3% (267 hectares) from 8,858 hectares in 2024 to in 8,591 hectares in 2025. This continued the downward trend. The amount has fallen by more than a fifth (22%) since 2019.

Previous uses – More than a fifth (22% or 1,793 hectares) of derelict land had previously been used for manufacturing followed by mineral activity (22% or 1,775 hectares).

Sites reused for housing – More sites were brought back into use for residential purposes than any other use (49 of the 144 reused sites).

Location relative to deprivation – Glasgow City had more sites (48%) located in the 15% most deprived data zones than any other local authority.

Full report at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-vacant-and-derelict-land-survey-2025/

How does this compare with the last 7 years of the Labour/Lib Dem government?

By contrast, the comparable 7-year window ending in 2007 (2000–2007) showed no net reduction. Official historical totals were 11,044 ha in 2000 and 11,379 ha in 2007—a net increase of 335 ha (about +3%). https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-vacant-derelict-land-survey-2015/pages/12/

England?

The nearest official product is the Brownfield Land Registers: previously developed land that local planning authorities judge suitable for housing. Analyses of those registers (CPRE and others) show the recorded area rising after 2019, not falling — typically from around 26,000 ha in 2019 to the high 29,000s or low 32,000s ha by 2024, depending on the compilation year. https://www.locarla.com/open_pdf/453273

What might explain these differences?

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The Vacant and Derelict Land Taskforce (Scottish Land Commission and SEPA, 2018–2020) framed reuse as a national priority and fed into later programmes. https://www.gov.scot/news/transforming-vacant-and-derelict-land/

The Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP) was announced in December 2020 as a £50 million, five-year capital fund aimed at persistent sites, greenspace, community-led projects and low-carbon reuse. Allocations have continued into 2025–26. https://www.gov.scot/news/transforming-vacant-and-derelict-land/

The older Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) has run since 2005/06, under Labour, and goes to a small number of high-stock, high-deprivation councils like Glasgow City. Official statistics attribute only a cumulative 468 hectares to VDLF since 2005 — including just 0.1 hectares in 2025 and 2 hectares in 2024. That is far smaller than the 2,335-hectare fall since 2019. https://www.gov.scot/news/transforming-vacant-and-derelict-land/

The later SNP Government initiatives have clearly been more effective that that developed by Labour/Lib Dumbs.

Back to the Herald seriously into this back in 2025, have they covered this? Nope

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Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going

Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code – 08-91-04 Account – 12266421