The Next Frontier in Tackling Vacant and Derelict Sites

Scotland has made great strides in addressing vacant and derelict land (VDL), but much remains to be done to tackle this persistent issue.

The decline of our high streets, with shuttered shops and empty storefronts, is a visible reminder of how economic shifts can leave areas struggling. Take, for example, Glasgow’s once-bustling Sauchiehall Street, now described as ‘Scotland’s most struggling high street’ where 36% of properties stand empty underscoring how economic changes impact urban spaces.

Transforming derelict sites into functional spaces brings much-needed benefits: new housing, green spaces, and community hubs that build social, economic, and environmental resilience. Scotland must stay committed to reusing these sites effectively if we want to prevent a future legacy of VDL.

In 2020, the Vacant and Derelict Land Taskforce published recommendations after an in-depth analysis of VDL in Scotland. Four years on, the Scottish Land Commission's review shows promising progress.

Between 2016 and 2022, VDL land area decreased by 27%, with one in five of the most challenging sites naturalised or repurposed since 2020. This progress demonstrates the power of strong partnerships between the public and private sectors and shows that change is possible

Two recent initiatives have helped to advance this work. The Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS), launched in March 2024 by the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer, creates a route for community groups to acquire ownerless land for public benefit. Additionally, the Scottish Government launched an online Vacant and Derelict Land Hub, providing a map of searchable data on VDL sites to help those seeking to bring land back into productive use with the right opportunities. These initiatives align with recommendations from the Commission’s Taskforce, supporting stakeholders in identifying and utilising these neglected spaces.

The most significant progress to date undoubtedly due to the commitment of local authorities. Ambitious projects like Clyde Gateway, a partnership between Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Enterprise and funded by the Scottish Government, have driven substantial change on a broader scale, demonstrating the potential of coordinated regeneration efforts.

While these initiatives represent significant progress, vacant and derelict land continues to blight much of Scotland. Half of Scotland’s population lives within a kilometre of a derelict site, a figure that rises sharply in lower-income areas. These sites are more than eyesores, they impact mental and physical health and contribute to a pervasive sense of neglect. The consequences are most pronounced in areas where residents already face socio-economic challenges. Given Scotland’s severe housing crisis combined with some of Europe’s worst health inequalities, transforming VDL could be essential in addressing these urgent issues.

Although collaboration with the private sector has propelled much of this progress, more must be done to deliver lasting change. For private developers, building on vacant sites can be costlier and riskier than developing greenfield areas, where profits are often more predictable. We know that land-use decisions are frequently driven by short-term financial considerations, which may inadvertently harm communities. Closing a school in a town centre might make financial sense in the short term but we have seen time and again the detrimental effect this has on our communities.

An integrated approach that supports land assembly, makes re-use economically viable, provides strategic long-term funding, and prioritises community wellbeing is essential. Encouragingly, some councils are already adopting wellbeing-focused urban planning models that emphasise health and quality of life. Glasgow City Council’s “Avenues” project, part of the City Centre Strategy 2024-2030, aims to transform the city’s streets into greener, more accessible, and people-friendly areas. This shift from traditional development models towards wellbeing-focused planning could make city centres more vibrant and sustainable.

The recent progress review offers additional recommendations to expedite land re-use, including measures to incentivise developers and expanding regional funding to support strategic, long-term VDL solutions. Increasing the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) could streamline development in fragmented ownership areas, consolidating land to enable impactful projects. These actions would empower both public and private sectors to transform derelict sites into valuable community assets.

Scotland is on the right path, but we can and should do more to ensure that the benefits of land re-use are felt across the country, particularly in communities that need it most and deliver lasting change.

Image copyright: Daniel Hughes, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons