Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land: Planning Policy

The purpose of land use planning is to manage the development and use of land in the long-term public interest.

Development plans guide decisions on applications for planning permission. Decisions on planning applications are to be made in accordance with the development plan, unless there are material considerations that indicate otherwise.

The statutory development plan comprises the National Planning Framework (NPF) which covers all of the country, and the Local Development Plan (LDP) which covers each planning authority area.

NPF: The NPF sets out the Scottish Ministers' policies and proposals for the development and use of land.

LDPs: Planning authorities must prepare one or more LDP for their area. This shows how local places will change into the future, including where development should and should not happen.

An overview of the planning system in Scotland can be found here Planning Overview | Our Place

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)

NPF4 is a long term plan for Scotland looking to 2045, that sets out where development and infrastructure is needed.  It sets out a long term spatial strategy and focuses on 3 key themes of  sustainable places, liveable places and productive places. It sets out six spatial principles to guide future development: compact urban growth, local living, rebalanced development, conserving and recycling assets, rural revitalisation and a just transition.

NPF4 identifies 18 national developments, these are significant developments of national importance that help deliver the spatial strategy in NPF.

NPF4 also contains 33 national planning policies – across a wide range of topics areas.  Policy 9 is the most relevant policy to vacant and derelict land and is set out below.

Brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings

Policy Principles 

Policy Intent: To encourage, promote and facilitate the reuse of brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings, and to help reduce the need for greenfield development.

Policy Outcomes:

• Development is directed to the right locations, maximising the use of existing assets and minimising additional land take.
• The contribution of brownfield land to nature recovery is recognised and opportunities for use as productive greenspace are realised where appropriate.
• Derelict buildings and spaces are regenerated to improve wellbeing and transform our places.

Local Development Plans: LDPs should set out opportunities for the sustainable reuse of brownfield land including vacant and derelict land and empty buildings.

Policy 9

a) Development proposals that will result in the sustainable reuse of brownfield land including vacant and derelict land and buildings, whether permanent or temporary, will be supported. In determining whether the reuse is sustainable, the biodiversity value of brownfield land which has naturalised should be taken into account.

b) Proposals on greenfield sites will not be supported unless the site has been allocated for development or the proposal is explicitly supported by policies in the LDP.

c) Where land is known or suspected to be unstable or contaminated, development proposals will demonstrate that the land is, or can be made, safe and suitable for the proposed new use.

d) Development proposals for the reuse of existing buildings will be supported, taking into account their suitability for conversion to other uses. Given the need to conserve embodied energy, demolition will be regarded as the least preferred option.