Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 What is vacant and derelict land? Vacant land is defined as ‘land appropriate for development, having either had previous development on it or preparatory work in anticipation of future development’. Derelict land is ‘land that it is capable of development but may require some remedial works’. Both relate to land that is capable of being reused. These sites are sometimes referred to as ‘brownfield’ or previously used sites. Simplified Planning Zone – Re-developing vacant land at Hillington Business Park Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy I January 2018 I Page 1 Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 Why does land become vacant or derelict across Why does land remain vacant or derelict? Renfrewshire? Sites may remain vacant over the longer term as a result of Places develop and change over time. Some buildings may development economics, this includes instances were no longer be fit for purpose, employers may relocate to development costs are higher than the value that is alternative locations or the use of land may change from its achievable from redevelopment activity or where land owners initial intended purpose. are unable to realise the value they want for sites meaning that they are often not willing or able to sell. Land can sometimes remain vacant for periods of time due to factors such as site contamination, lack of infrastructure, Development finance can also be an issue with strict lending economic constraints or locational issues. criteria in place across many lenders, particularly across higher cost and riskier projects such as those that require In Renfrewshire, vacant and derelict land has historically been significant remedial works to facilitate redevelopment. the result of the decline of former industrial uses. The closure of the Royal Ordinance Factory at Bishopton and the BASF plant in Paisley are examples where large sites have become vacant and/or derelict. Renfrewshire also has a number of vacant sites that once accommodated housing that have since been cleared leaving behind sites in the middle of communities. Former BASF site Paisley delivering 471 new homes Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy I January 2018 I Page 2 Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 How much vacant and derelict land is there in 82 hectares has also been redeveloped/re-used following new Renfrewshire? housing development across Renfrewshire with some smaller sites within existing settlements being more appropriately Vacant and derelict land is surveyed on an annual basis by used as open space, enhancing Renfrewshire’s environment. Renfrewshire Council to inform the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey (SVDLS). This survey provides an evidence base for monitoring the level of vacant and derelict Figure 1: Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land 2008-2017 land and the progress made in bringing land back into use. (Hectares) The vacant and derelict land supply for Renfrewshire totals 272 hectares (ha) over 122 sites. This comprises 99.2 ha of vacant urban land, 56.3 ha of derelict urban land and 116.2 ha of rural derelict land. Appendix 1 shows the locations of the vacant and derelict sites across Renfrewshire. Sites held within private ownership account for approximately 80% of vacant and derelict land across Renfrewshire with the remaining 20% in Council ownership. Renfrewshire has seen a reduction of 71% in the level of vacant and derelict land over the last ten years (2008-2017). It should be noted that the vast majority of the land that has been redeveloped is due to the success of Dargavel Village Community Growth Area, Bishopton where approximately 506 hectares of land has been transformed into a new community. Source: Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Survey Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy I January 2018 I Page 3 Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 Age and Geographic Distribution of Vacant & What effect does vacant and derelict land have Derelict Land on communities? The age profile of the sites (Figure 2) shows that 87% of the Vacant and derelict land can blight an area resulting in social, land was recorded prior to 2008. economic and environmental issues. Most of the urban sites are located in the larger settlements, Sites can impact on local communities through land being particularly Paisley, Renfrew and Linwood and Hillington subject to fly tipping/litter, invasive species and antisocial Business Park (see Figure 3). behaviour. Vacant and derelict sites can also create an impression of under investment in an area for residents, businesses and potential investors. Figure 2 – Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Percentage Figure 3 – Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Percentage 2017 by Year First Recorded 2017 by Settlement Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy I January 2018 I Page 4 Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 Redevelopment of Vacant & Derelict Land 2017 The take-up of vacant and derelict land is monitored annually The preferred future use for vacant and derelict sites is and includes development sites that are under construction or reviewed annually with the majority of sites identified as being have been completed during the last year. suitable for residential or industry and business uses. Development take-up of vacant and derelict land for 2016/17 totals 65 ha, comprising 57.7 ha of urban land and 7.4 ha of rural land. There has been a significant increase in residential development with take-up increasing from 18 hectares to 60 hectares during the last year. Figure 5 – Renfrewshire’s Development Take-Up of Vacant and Derelict Land 2003/04 – 2016/17 New industrial development at Hillington Business Park Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy I January 2018 I Page 5 Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 Bringing vacant and derelict land back into use Reducing the Amount of Vacant and Derelict Reducing vacant and derelict land has the potential to regenerate neighbourhoods, improve local environments, Land: create employment and improve the perception of the area. There are five key themes to address the levels of Vacant and Derelict land across Renfrewshire: The Renfrewshire Local Development Plan prioritises the redevelopment of brownfield and previously used land to Theme 1 – Utilise City Deal Investment to support encourage sustainable economic growth and meet housing sustainable economic growth and unlock development needs across Renfrewshire. potential of stalled sites; The Plan aims to reduce the amount of vacant and derelict land in Renfrewshire by promoting new commercial and Theme 2 – Prioritise housing development on brownfield residential developments along with enhancing and green and previously used land; spaces. Theme 3 – Supporting development in town centres; Moving forward, the Council will build upon the progress made in 2017 and this strategy identifies a range of actions to Theme 4 – Consider the potential of innovative delivery further reduce the amount of vacant and derelict land and mechanisms; and regenerate and enhance neighbourhoods across Renfrewshire. Theme 5 – Encourage the creation of amenity green space where future redevelopment is not currently viable. Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy I January 2018 I Page 6 Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 Theme 1 - Utilise City Deal Investment to support sustainable economic growth and unlock development potential of stalled sites As part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal, Renfrewshire Action 1: Promote the re-development of vacant and derelict will benefit from three of the largest infrastructure projects. sites where City Deal investment stimulates development These include the Airport Access Project, the Clyde interest. Prepare masterplans for Glasgow Airport Investment Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project and the Glasgow Area and the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside. Airport Investment Area. Implement a policy framework to get maximum return for the Over the next 10 years Renfrewshire’s City Deal projects will new infrastructure delivered by City Deal. be key to the delivery of this strategy through increasing connectivity to the area, unlocking vacant, stalled and underutilised development land and providing enhanced opportunities for place making and green networks. Together these projects will transform local and regional connectivity resulting in job opportunities through business growth and inward investment and will stimulate demand for additional residential provision and economic expansion throughout Renfrewshire. Vacant and derelict sites within the proximity of the City Deal projects will be prioritised and brought back into. Glasgow Airport Investment Area Renfrewshire’s Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy I January 2018 I Page 7 Renfrewshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy 2018 Theme 2 - Prioritise housing development on account of development economics and the reasons why a brownfield and previously used land site may not have progressed to date. The Council will provide advice and support were possible. This strategy will look to prioritise housing investment from both the public and private sector in areas with vacant and Action 2: The production of a database highlighting priority derelict land. sites which will be set out in the bi-annual update of this strategy. New residential development has assisted in bringing