This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Re-use of derelict land
27/01/2004
The total amount of vacant and derelict land in Scotland is continuing to fall, according to statistics published today by the Executive.
The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2003 shows that the total amount of vacant and derelict land has fallen 202 hectares to 10,847 hectares since 2002.
Within that figure, 579 hectares of land has been bought back into use in the past year.
Of the land brought back into use, 44 per cent (256 hectares) was for residential development and 23 per cent (128 hectares) was for business use, offices, manufacturing and other general industry.
Deputy Communities Minister Mary Mulligan said:
"The re-use of land contributes to regeneration and brings improvements to people's lives by improving the quality of their environment. I am encouraged by today's figures, however land is still falling out of use.
"Vacant and derelict land is a wasted resource and its re-use is part of the Executive's commitment to social and environmental justice, economic competitiveness and sustainable development. There is a continuing demand for development land in urban areas, much of which can be met by the re-use of vacant and derelict sites.
"Environmental justice is one of the Executive's key priorities. That is why we have committed 20 million pounds over the next two years to support the re-use of vacant and derelict land in some of the areas worst affected by this problem."
The statistical bulletin Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2003 is available to the public from The Stationery Office Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AZ. Tel: 0131 479 3141. Copies cost £2.