Derelict and waste land: Britain's neglected land resource
Derelict land is difficult to define and, consequently, statistics on the extent of derelict land are variable. Government surveys identify areas of dereliction eligible for grant for restoration and areas in active use for mineral working and waste tipping. A large proportion of this dereliction has arisen as a result of mineral extraction and processing, but derelict rail land and military land also make a significant contribution. Official surveys (to 1974) recognize a total of 71,155 ha of derelict land in England, Scotland, and Wales. However, surveys carried out by local authority planning departments and others have shown that this kind of dereliction is often associated with neglected and unused waste land, particularly in urban areas. It is estimated that the total area of derelict and waste land in Britain is about 339,000 ha. Despite increasing public awareness and a program of restoration, derelict and waste land continues to increase, often at the expense of agricultural land. Although small sites are most numerous, more than 50% of the total area of derelict land is made up of sites larger than 5 ha. This land represents a substantial resource which Britain can ill afford to neglect. 5 references, 3 figures, 10 tables
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of York, England
- OSTI ID:
- 5129228
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Manage.; (United States) Vol. 16:3; ISSN JEVMA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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