It has been reported that the majority of the money will go to Glasgow, £3.7m, with North Lanarkshire getting £2m as they are deemed the two areas with the worst problems. Dundee gets £1.4m, with South Lanarkshire receiving £1.5m and the Highlands £1.2m. So if my maths is correct that leaves £0.2m for the other 27 unitary authorities – way to go…!
Infrastructure Secretary, Alex Neil, was quoted as saying; “The Vacant and Derelict Land Fund is making a full contribution towards our goal of increased sustainable economic growth across Scotland.” I don’t see how £0.2m for 27 authorities can make a full contribution towards a goal of sustainable economic growth across Scotland, can you…?
He also said; “Councils will, of course, agree their local priorities, but I believe that this fund has the potential to kick-start significant economic development” and “This fund has the potential to enrich communities across Scotland by bringing back into use land that has lain derelict for many years”. £0.2m between 27 authorities gives them potentially £7,407.41 each (I rounded up the pence to be fair and reasonable…!). A way to go – watch out SME’s there’s loads of work coming our way…!
Since being established in 2004, the fund has assisted with the reuse of 150 hectares of land from the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Register. Now it’s Friday, my brain is tired and the calculator’s having a meltdown but I reckon that with 10,771 hectares to be tidied up, remediated, etc, we’ve a long way to go and £10m isn’t nae going to go far but at least it’s a something…!
The government survey in 2010, estimated there were 10,771 hectares of derelict land across Scotland over approx 4,000 sites. North Lanarkshire topped the tables with 1,439 hectares with Glasgow City a close second with 1,322 hectares.
With such a lack of government support I presume they are relying on developers to foot the bill of our industrial legacy. If your one of these poor souls and are looking for a cost effective option drop us a line for some impartial free advice.