Vacant land tax could raise £200m say Greens

A tax on vacant land in Scotland could raise £200 million a year for public services, according to research by the Scottish Greens.

The report published by Andy Wightman MSP highlights there are 12,763 hectares of vacant or derelict land in Scotland, of which 69 per cent could be developed. Glasgow has 782 derelict sites, North Lanarkshire 487, North Ayrshire 281 and Edinburgh, where house prices are the highest of any Scottish city, 76.

Bringing such sites into the non-domestic rates system could raise cash to build affordable homes and tackle the housing crisis, the report said.

The Greens have also put forward proposals for a vacant site levy, similar to that in Ireland, which would allow local councils to levy charges.