The Scottish Land Commission (SLC) has released a new report evaluating the progress made in addressing Scotland's legacy of vacant and derelict land (VDL) four years after the Commission's VDL Taskforce issued its recommendations.

The report, conducted by commercial property consultants Ryden, reveals significant advancements in repurposing vacant and derelict land for productive use. However, it also identifies key areas that require continued attention to sustain and accelerate progress.

The report indicates a steady decline in vacant and derelict land across Scotland, with a 27% reduction in registered VDL from 2016 to 2022. Housing projects have been a major driver of this decline, accounting for 51% of VDL site re-use and 37% of overall areas of VDL sites.

A notable achievement highlighted in the report is the successful re-use of challenging sites, particularly urban areas that have been unused since 2000 or earlier. Since the SLC's targeted focus on these 'DUSTEs' (Derelict Urban Sites Unused Since 2000), 20% of such sites have been repurposed, and an additional 53 sites have been removed from the register due to naturalization.

The report also underscores the success of several initiatives recommended by the SLC's VDL Taskforce. These include the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR) Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS), launched in March 2024, which allows community groups to reclaim and repurpose ownerless properties. Additionally, the launch of the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Hub by the Scottish Government this summer represents a significant step forward, providing a publicly accessible online map to help identify and invest in VDL sites.


Chief Executive of the SLC, Hamish Trench, commented on the findings of the report: "Encouraging progress is being made by many organisations tackling Scotland's legacy of vacant and derelict sites and delivering on the recommendations of the VDL Taskforce.

"There is more to do though, particularly to sustain this progress given current economic and financial challenges.

"As well as tackling longstanding sites, we must avoid creating a new legacy of vacant property as economic and market conditions change."

The report warns of the risk of increased vacant buildings in town and city centres due to changing shopping and work patterns. To prevent this, the Commission suggests a proactive approach is needed including a focus on wider economic impact and value in land and investment decisions.

To maintain momentum, the report outlines several recommendations:

• Support for Private Developers: A package of measures to support re-use of land and buildings to make this viable for private developers.

• Regional Funding: Building on long-term regional funding, rather than shorter term challenge funding, allowing for a more strategic approach to land re-use.

• Wellbeing Approach: Encouraging public bodies to adopt a wellbeing approach to land and building decisions to prevent the creation of new VDL.

• Community Support: Enhancing support for community-led initiatives to re-use VDL, particularly in urban areas, and improving transparency in land ownership.

• National Greenspace Initiative: Developing a national programme to support the re-use of VDL as greenspace, which is essential for climate change mitigation and improving public access to nature.

Hamish said: "Tackling vacant and derelict land matters because it impacts lives across Scotland, half of us live within 1km of a vacant and derelict site, more in disadvantaged areas. The sites impact on physical and mental health, environmental quality, pride in place and of course are a significant lost economic opportunity."