Vacant and derelict land
Survey
North Ayrshire Council maintains a register of vacant and derelict land as part of the annual Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey.
We visit, assess, and record changes to sites greater than 0.1 hectare that:
- have previously been developed
- are now considered unused or damaged
Sites that have fallen out of use since the previous year are added to the register. We remove sites that have been developed, or no longer meet selection criteria.
Our StoryMap shows current sites.
We contact the owners of vacant and derelict sites to find out:
- their ambitions and intentions
- information on timescales
- any difficulties that have prevented development or sale of the site
This information helps to inform potential regeneration activity.
Funding
The Vacant and Derelict Land (VDL) Fund aims to tackle long-term vacant and derelict land in Scotland. The fund focuses on projects that promote innovation in greening techniques for vacant and derelict land sites. Its objectives are to:
- boost economic growth
- create jobs
- promote environmental justice and improve quality of life
- support communities to flourish and tackle inequalities
North Ayrshire Council is one of five local authorities to receive a share of the fund. Funding is part of local government budget settlement, as agreed with Scottish Government. Expenditure of funds is approved annually by council Cabinet. This is subject to the submission and approval of a local delivery plan to the Scottish Government.
Cabinet reports:
Strategy
In 2022, North Ayrshire contained 12% of all vacant and derelict land in Scotland, one of the highest proportions of any Scottish council.
The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Register and Buildings at Risk Register combined, identify over 250 sites, most of which are in private ownership. A lot of those sites need redevelopment and are subject to a legacy of issues, including:
- undermining
- contamination
- deterioration
- major industrial closures
Reasons for the lack of redevelopment include economic, locational, or physical constraints. A lack of financial viability remains a common theme.
Progress towards the re-use of sites includes steps to regenerate Strategic Development Areas identified in the North Ayrshire Local Development Plan. Many sites continue to impact our communities and represent local priorities for action.
A strategy refresh provides an opportunity to review themes, aspirations, and challenges of vacant and derelict land in North Ayrshire. The strategy will consider how vacant and derelict land fits within national and local priorities and objectives. This includes:
- community wealth building
- the challenge of net-zero
- the climate emergency
The vacant and derelict land strategy document has been developed following stakeholder and local community consultation. It proposes themes and actions to address the issues of land within our communities.