DERELICT high streets and empty commercial and retail property could provide space for thousands of homes across Scotland. Analysis reveals the vacancy rate for retail in the first half of 2020 in Scotland has risen during the Covid pandemic to 12.7%. Now the Centre for Policy Studies is arguing that the challenges of the pandemic could be turned into an opportunity to revive high streets, communities and commercial centres. They say government must remove incentives to keep commercial buildings vacant and encourage recycling of space, as well as reforming business rates. The think tank says that local plans should work to ensure vacant space is replaced by new housing and mixed-use regeneration.