Question reference: S6W-01675
- Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 20 July 2021
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Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 25 August 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government which of the recommendations from the October 2020 Scottish Land Commission Report into derelict and vacant land it will implement, and what the timescales for implementation are.
Answer
We are committed to exploring opportunities to target long-term vacant and derelict land to deliver sustainable inclusive growth and mitigate climate change as part of the Green Recovery.
In October 2020 we welcomed the Vacant and Derelict Land Taskforce’s report and recommendations. Since then, we have been working with the Scottish Land Commission and key stakeholders to develop detailed proposals to help deliver a culture change in Scotland’s approach to vacant and derelict land. In addition much of our current work already aligns with the recommendations.
A key recommendation was the establishment of a national programme of investment to bring our legacy of vacant and derelict land back into use in ways that will contribute to a fair and green recovery, support job creation and skills development and help rebuild community resilience.
In response to that recommendation, in March 2021, we opened our new £50m low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, which is being delivered over an initial five year period. It will help to open up for new use persistent vacant and derelict sites, which are especially prevalent in disadvantaged areas. This will create opportunities for new green infrastructure, and support place-based approaches to regeneration and a just transition to net zero.