It came after we revealed that North Ayrshire had a staggering 3.67 square miles of derelict sites – the second largest amount in Scotland.
The council were contacted for comment on the story and revealed the picture was far worse ten years ago.
A spokesperson said: “In 2013, when the first North Ayrshire Vacant and Derelict Land Strategy was prepared, there were 1,333 hectares of vacant and derelict land compared to 951 hectares in 2023.
“Many of the proposed actions and themes identified in the strategy have been progressed, including the undertaking of major regeneration projects to redevelop vacant and derelict sites including Lochshore, which is one of North Ayrshire Council’s key regeneration projects.
“To date, progress has included the opening of the Lochshore Park Hub, a major tree-planting project, a 5km loop, active travel routes and a new natural bespoke play area, which is due to open in the coming weeks.
“Many vacant and derelict land sites are outwith council ownership. However, where possible, we are keen to work with private landowners to help regenerate these sites and to consider how they can contribute to improving the wider area.
“We seek to do this through The Repurposing Property Grant Fund, which was created to help support landowners and community groups to bring back vacant land and properties to use.
“It is a strand of the ambitious Community Wealth Building Strategy and Regeneration Delivery Plan – where the Council works with community groups to make the most of local assets – and long-term plans to regenerate the area.
“Further information is available on the Council’s website here: Repurposing Property Grant Fund (north-ayrshire.gov.uk).”
North Ayrshire’s derelict sites include large sections of the Garnock Valley’s Lochshore area and part of the former steelworks site as well as the Ardeer area at Stevenston, including the NPL site and the three Nobel Enterprises areas.
The only local authority site in Scotland which has more derelict sites than North Ayrshire is North Lanarkshire – which has a 4.99 square metres.
In other parts of the county, East Ayrshire has 3.15 square miles of derelict land, with South Ayrshire having just 0.42. Meanwhile Glasgow has 3.22 square metres lying derelict.
Sites including Bogside and the Ardeer peninsula, which have large derelict areas, are not owned by the council.
Among the main sites remaining derelict are:
Irvine/ Kilwinning:
Bogside, Irvine; Redburn, Irvine; Former WestAyr site, Cunninghame Road, Irvine; Nethermains Road, Kilwinning; Former BMX track, Marine Drive, Irvine; Bourtreehill Works, Irvine; West Byrehill, Kilwinning; North and South Newmoor, Irvine; Ayrshire Central Hospital, Castlepark, Irvine; Riverside, Irvine; Ayrshire Metal Products, Church St, Irvine; Montgomerie Park, Irvine; Kelvin Place, Kilwinning; Nacco, Portland Road, Irvine;
Three Towns:
Nobel Enterprises, Ardeer, Stevenston; NPL, Stevenston; Nobel Business Park, Stevenston; Refinery, Ardrossan; Ardeer; East Stevenston site; Portland Place Stevenston; McDowall Place, Ardrossan; Montfode Depot, Ardrossan; Dalry Road, Ardrossan; former high flats site, Fullarton, Irvine; Power Motive, Ardrossan; Lundholm Road, Stevenston; Kerelaw, Stevenston.
Garnock Valley:
Valefield, Glengarnock; Lochshore, Glengarnock; Railway Embankment, Kilbirnie; Willowyard, Beith; former Glengarnock Steelworks site; Nettlehirst Quarry, Barrmill; Blair Road, Dalry; former Pitcorn Brickworks, Dalry; former Garnock Academy, Glengarnock; School Road, Kilbirnie; Perceton House office, Irvine;
North Coast:
Bilees Hill, West Kilbride; Station Road, Fairlie; Drumilling Road, West Kilbride; former Warren Park Nursing Home, Largs; School Brae, Fairlie.
Arran:
Whitehouse, Lamlash, Arran Creamery, Kilmory.
