Vacant & Derelict Land Survey 2023

The  Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey (SVDLS)  is an annual survey undertaken to establish the extent and state of vacant and derelict land in Scotland and the amount of land that has been reclaimed. The main purpose of the SVDLS is to provide an official and high quality national data source to inform the programming of rehabilitation, planning and reuse of urban vacant and derelict sites.

The statistics are used to to inform Scottish Government Development Planning process through identifying and maintaining a record of vacant and derelict land (VDL) and may also provide local authorities with robust evidence to inform their Local Development Plan in terms of identifying the potential provision of land for the housing, environmental and regeneration components of the plan.

Vacant land is formally defined as ‘land appropriate for development, having either had previous development on it or preparatory work in anticipation of future development’. Derelict land is defined as ‘land that it is capable of development but may require some remedial works’. Both relate to land that is capable of being re-used. These sites are often referred to as ‘brownfield’ or previously used sites.

 East Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan 2  prioritises the redevelopment of brownfield and previously used land to encourage sustainable economic growth and meet housing needs across the area. The Plan aims to reduce the amount of vacant and derelict land by promoting new employment, commercial and residential developments together with green space enhancements. Moving forward, the Council will build upon the progress made to date and this strategy identifies opportunities to further reduce the amount of vacant and derelict land and enhance neighbourhoods across East Dunbartonshire.

The findings of this survey will inform the  Evidence Report  for  East Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan 3 .

The following overview of vacant and derelict land in East Dunbartonshire sets out the number of sites that are on the 2023 register and their division into vacant and derelict land.  Key findings  from the survey can be seen in the next section, followed by a  schedule for each site  and  further information .

Around two-thirds of sites fall within the  derelict  classification and the remaining locations within the  vacant  classification. Derelict sites comprise around 80% of the total area of all sites identified. The former  Gartshore Colliery  near Twechar accounts for around a quarter of all vacant and derelict land in the area.

The majority of sites on the register correspond in location to the  Forth & Clyde Canal  and  Edinburgh & Glasgow Railway , each of which helped the area to prosper during the Industrial Revolution. Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch, Twechar and Waterside therefore account for around 90% of all land identified. Those sites that were in use for fossil fuel or other mineral extraction or storage dominate in terms of number and size.

Mineral activity comprises the most common previous use, followed by community, health and six other defined categories. The previous use of three sites could not be established.

The redevelopment of around two-thirds of sites is considered preferable; these sites are allocated for a range of uses in  LDP2 . Some sites however have either greened to such an extent as to make development less sustainable or are otherwise subject to constraints. These sites are identified in the survey as being uneconomic to develop and/or with an intended soft end use.

The Council is keen to support any party that wishes to redevelop those vacant and derelict sites considered to be suitable for reuse, i.e. those sites that are considered to be developable (see Potential for Redevelopment of VDL map below). Any enquiries to the Council on the redevelopment of vacant and derelict land should be directed to development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk.

Most vacant and derelict land is confirmed to be in private ownership, with a small number of sites in Local Authority ownership or for which ownership details could not be obtained.

Those sites captured by the survey can be divided into a number of categories subject to the derelict characteristics they present.

• Category 1 - The remains of buildings (either whole or partial) in or on the land, associated with the previous use(s).
• Category 2 - The possible presence of left-over chemicals or other substances/elements from a previous use(s) which may be in or on the land (this can include Japanese Knotweed).
• Category 3 - Large amounts of left over rubble, stone deposits and other abandoned physical material typically associated with former mineral works, mines etc.
• Unknown/Not Applicable - The site is vacant or no category above can be confirmed to apply.

The total area of vacant and derelict land in East Dunbartonshire has not changed considerably since the most recent version of Scottish Government statistics came into use in 2016, reducing by around 2.3% during the 2016 > 2023 period. A reappraisal in 2023 of the characteristics of sites as identified in the survey resulted in certain locations being reclassified from the vacant to derelict type. Small remeasurements were also made to the areas of certain sites the same year, resulting in a small increase in total area since 2022 despite no change in the location or total number of sites.

Details of size, ownership, history, site potential and future use, as well as any available owner contact details, can be seen for each site as follows.

Owner - Garscadden Park Ltd (25/04/2020)

Size - 2.2ha

Site Potential & Future Use - The site was sold to private operators in 2020. No planning application for redevelopment had been submitted as at the base date of the survey.

Contact - 200 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5SG

History - The site was previously used as a Roads and Waste Depot. The former depot reception bears the arms of the Bearsden & Milngavie District of Strathclyde Regional Council.

Principal Constraints - Flood risk and drainage assessments required. The developer must investigate and remediate any contamination identified as stipulated in  LDP2 .

Owner - RRB Developments (Scotland) Ltd (11/06/2020)

Size - 0.4ha

Site Potential & Future Use - Site suitable for business or industrial use. Use Classes 4, 5 or 6 preferred. Live consent for 'erection of 7 no. industrial units contained within 2 no. blocks with associated car parking'. Application reference TP/ED/20/0375.

Contact - 9 Montgomery Street, The Village, East Kilbride, G74 4JS

History - An engineering works previously occupied the site.

Principal Constraints - The developer must investigate and remediate, where appropriate, any potential contamination identified and ground conditions stipulated in  LDP2 .

Owner - Caledonian Estates Ltd (14/12/2023)

Size - 2.7ha

Site Potential & Future Use - The site is included within the  Westerhill Regeneration Area  and future use will be established through a masterplan process.

Contact - development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or info@caledonianestates.co.uk

History - The land was used as a  barrage balloon depot  during WW2 as part of the wider RAF Bishopbriggs site. Several structures that formed part of the depot remained visible within the site at the time of the survey.

Principal Constraints - Unknown. Please refer to  LDP2 .

Owner - Caledonian Properties Ltd (05/11/2020)

Size - 9.4ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Site is designated for open space and natural environment improvements.

Contact - Caledonian Property Investments Limited, 2 The Cross Court, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, G64 2RD

History - The site was subject to quarrying of sand and gravel during the early 20th century; it had become disused by the mid-1960s. The site was subsequently used for landfill. It has since naturalised to a considerable degree.

Principal Constraints - The applicant must undertake ground Investigation due to former landfill use, as specified in  LDP2 , protect the setting of the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site and Forth and Clyde Canal Scheduled monument and protect and enhance Local Nature Conservation Site on site.

Owner - Private - ownership unknown

Size - 2.5ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Site is not considered appropriate for physical development. It is expected that the site is managed for biodiversity and open space.

Contact - development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

History - The site was subject to extraction of sand during the early 20th century.

Principal Constraints - The applicant must protect and enhance the Forth and Clyde Canal Local Nature Conservation Site and undertake ground investigation due to former quarry use, as specified in  LDP2 .

Owner - Westerhill Developments Ltd (14/12/2023)

Size - 6.8ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Forms part of the wider  Westerhill Regeneration Area  which is being taken forward primarily as part of the ongoing City Deal initiative.

Contact - Balmore House, 1497 Balmore Road, Glasgow, G23 5HD

History - The terminal received oil from the Grangemouth refinery and was operated by Shell. It opened around 1960 and closed in the early 1990s.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements, the applicant must undertake contamination and ground investigations, as specified in  LDP2 .

Owner - Westerhill Developments Ltd (14/12/2023)

Size - 0.4ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Forms part of the wider  Westerhill Regeneration Area  which is being taken forward primarily as part of the ongoing City Deal initiative.

Contact - Balmore House, 1497 Balmore Road, Glasgow, G23 5HD

History - The site lies immediately adjacent and to the north of a former oil terminal (site 3.BR6) and may have been associated with that use.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements, the applicant must undertake contamination and ground investigations, as specified in  LDP2 .

Owner - 1. Philip C Smith Commercials, 2. National Grid, 3. Tame Construction, 4. Paulamar/Donohoe (12/05/2022)

Size - 7.5ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Site is subject to a masterplan process, as detailed in Policy 4.R1 of  LDP2 . Development at the  Kirkintilloch Gateway Regeneration Masterplan  will deliver a mix of land uses in order to regenerate brownfield land, prioritise and deliver business and employment growth, provide housing to enable site development, provide an active travel network, improve connectivity with surrounding areas and improve the environment.

Contact -

1. Philip C Smith Commercials, 2420 London Road, Glasgow G32 8XZ, Tel: 0141 778 4000, Mobile: 07775 816 289, Email: sales@philipcsmith.co.uk

2. National Grid, Tel: +44 (0)1926 653000.

3. Tel: 0121 312 5204, Email:info@tameconstruction.com

4. Paulamar Company Ltd, Woodilee Industrial Estate, Woodilee Road, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, G66 3TU, Tel: 0141 776 2588

or

development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

History - Parts of the site have been in industrial use for more than a century, first as the Woodilee Colliery, followed by production and storage of gas and various other manufacturing facilities.

Principal Constraints - The site is subject to various constraints which apply on a site-by-site basis. Please refer to the  Kirkintilloch Business Gateway Masterplan  for further details.

Owner - XS Storage Ltd (14/04/2023)

Size - 0.4ha

Site Potential and Future Use - TBC

Contact - XS Storage Ltd, Milton Road, Kirkintilloch, G66 1SY

History - The site formed part of a factory in the late 20th century which has since been demolished. The northernmost part of the factory (outwith the site) has been converted to business and commercial units.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements, the developer must investigate and remediate, where appropriate, any potential contamination identified and ground conditions and flood risk assessment, as required in  LDP2 .

Owner - Archibald Young Ltd (04/08/2020)

Size - 0.5ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Site is appropriate for business or industrial use in keeping with surrounding area. Use Classes 4, 5 or 6 preferred. Live consent for 'erection of 3 trade counter units (Class 6) with ancillary with associated external works including; vehicle turning areas, access, car-parking , hard and soft landscaping and boundary fence.' Application reference TP/ED/20/0508.

Contact - enquiries@archibaldyoung.co.uk

History - The site formed part of a bus depot which has since been demolished.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements, the developer must investigate and remediate, where appropriate, any potential contamination identified and ground conditions and flood risk assessment, as required in  LDP2 .

Owner - Robeslee Concrete Co Ltd & Holland Haulage and Plant

Size - 2.5ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Identified as an urban brownfield site, the site lies adjacent to an active business and industrial site currently occupied by a concrete construction company and office uses. There is an opportunity to develop this site for general industrial purposes. A separate area within the wider area has been granted planning permission for a community sports facility. 

Contact - Robeslee Concrete Co Ltd - Southbank Road, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, G66 1UB or Holland Haulage & Plant - 14b Garrell Road, Kilsyth, United Kingdom, G65 9JX

History - The site was formerly on the periphery of a precast cement works and prior to that a nickel works.

Principal Constraints - Please see  LDP2  for information.

Owner - Private - ownership unknown

Size - 9.3ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Biodiversity/green network enhancement opportunity

Contact - development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

History - The site was the location of the Wester Gartshore Colliery which was sunk in 1872 and which closed in 1950. The remains of coke ovens can be found within the site.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements, the developer must protect and enhance local nature conservation sites and native woodland on site, undertake a preliminary ecological appraisal, flora and Protected Species survey and a carry out a flood risk assessment, as required in  LDP2 .

Owner - EDC

Size - 5.7ha

Site Potential and Future Use - The site contains derelict buildings associated with the former mining activities. It lies within the greenbelt and is not considered appropriate for physical development. It is expected that this site will become further naturalised and potentially contribute to enhanced biodiversity.

Contact - development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

History - The site was the location of a colliery which was sunk in the 19th century and which closed in 1930. A number of structures remain on site, including the ruins of an engine house, boiler house and fan casing.

Principal Constraints - The site is not specifically identified in  LDP2 . The developer is encouraged to contact development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk for information before preparing any application.

Owner - Allied Irish Bank (last known owner) (18/12/2013)

Size - 0.5ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Opportunity for reuse/redevelopment for a use which is an exception for development in the green belt (such as a tourism use) and/or residential development, which enables the conservation of all or part of the building, in line with  LDP2  Policy 1: East Dunbartonshire Development Strategy and Policy 19: Historic Environment.

Contact - development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

History - Lennox Castle was completed in 1841 for John Lennox Kincaid. The castle and grounds were purchased by the Glasgow Corporation in 1927 and converted to a hospital for people with learning disabilities. The facility, which could accommodate around 1200 patients, opened in 1936. Lennox Castle itself was used as nurses' accommodation. The hospital closed in 2002 and has been subject to fire raising, the most damaging episode of which in 2008 resulted in the reduction of the building to a roofless shell and the collapse of part of the structure.

Principal Constraints - Please see  LDP2  for information.

Owner - Private - ownership unknown

Size - 0.8ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Site is currently semi-naturalised. Biodiversity/green network opportunity for grassland/wetland/open space/food growing.

Contact - development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

History - The site appears to have been in use for a number of different purposes and the remains of several buildings could be seen at the time of the site survey.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements,  LDP2  stipulates that a flood risk assessment must be undertaken due to adjacent river flood risk from Glazert Water. The developer must enhance adjacent Glazert Water Local Nature Conservation Site.

Owner - CMIX Concrete Ltd

Size - 0.8ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Site is suitable for industrial or business use, in keeping with surrounding uses. Use Classes 4, 5 or 6 preferred.

Contact - 11 Skaterigg Gardens, Glasgow, G13 1ST

History - The site was the location of the Category B listed James Watt Building. The building has been demolished and the site cleared.

Principal Constraints - The site is not specifically allocated for development in  LDP2 and instead forms part of the wider Cloberfield Industrial Estate (6.BE1). The developer is encouraged to contact development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk for information before preparing any application.

Owner - Summerwood Developments Ltd (12/02/2020)

Size - 0.4ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Site is appropriate for housing development as identified in  LDP2  (capacity of 2 units)

Contact - Flat 3/1, 11, King Street, Stirling, FK8 1DN

History - The site comprised part of the grounds of 'Drumclog', a house which lies to the south-east and remains occupied.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements,  LDP2  stipulates that the developer must protect and enhance adjacent Drumclog Moor/Mugdock SSSI and retain good quality trees and creation of woodland edge habitat to north to act as buffer to LNCS/SSSI. A flood risk assessment must be undertaken and any development must meet flooding and drainage policy.

Owner - Private - ownership unknown

Size - 0.6ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Use Classes 4, 5 or 6 preferred.

Contact - development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

History - The land in question formed part of the site of a building trades training centre in the mid-1950s and was latterly the location of a packaging plant, prior to its closure in 2021. The site appeared to be disused at the time of the survey site visit.

Principal Constraints - The site is not specifically allocated for development in  LDP2  and instead forms part of the wider Cloberfield Industrial Estate (6.BE1). The developer is encouraged to contact development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk for information before preparing any application.

Owner - East Dunbartonshire Council/Barrhill Lodge/William Stark (March 2014)

Size - 1.5ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Identified in  LDP2  for housing and use which is a green belt exception, in particular community recreation and training facilities.

Contact - estates@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

History - The site was the location of a Masonic Hall which has since been demolished. The site was also used for undertaking water sports.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements,  LDP2  stipulates that any development must comply with the Flooding and Drainage Policy, including flood risk from canal and surface water.

Owner - Brewster Brothers (14/04/2023)

Size - 20.1ha

Site Potential and Future Use - Opportunity for a mineral/waste management and use which is a green belt exception in line with  LDP2  Policy 1. In particular, recreation and biodiversity/green network.

Contact - Brewster Brothers, Drumshoreland Road, Pumpherston, Livingston EH53 0LG

History - The site was the location of part of the Gartshore Colliery. The majority of the site was used to accommodate the mine's spoil/bing, much of which has since been extracted or otherwise dispersed around the site.

Principal Constraints - Amongst various requirements,   LDP2  requires investigations to be undertaken due to former quarry use. A flood risk assessment must be undertaken. Compliance with LDP2 flooding and drainage policy required due to the adjacent Board Burn and surface water. Preliminary ecological and species surveys must be undertaken.

Full details of the Council's annual survey process can be found via the following link:  Vacant and derelict land | East Dunbartonshire Council 

development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk