Prepare to be a little surprised. Why?<\/p>\n
Well, according to government statistics, despite our expectations \u2013 especially if we live in a town or a city – just 8.7% of land in England is in developed use. An incredible\u00a091.1%<\/em>\u00a0is non-developed, encompassing agricultural areas, forestry, open land and bodies of water. (0.2% is vacant.)<\/p>\n We are less urban and more rural than we think we are.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, if you own unoccupied land, these small – and large – statistics may be of little comfort. Valuable commercial land is an expensive asset, every bit as much as the properties built on it, and can be vulnerable to crime. Perhaps you run a construction company or work in property management. With empty land, you may be fighting a continuous battle against unauthorised intrusion.<\/p>\n When it comes to land, we can help.<\/p>\n Clearway has been safeguarding assets like these for over 30 years, and we\u2019d like to share our experience and knowledge with you. In this piece, find out what vacant commercial land \u201clooks like\u201d and what challenges there could be. We\u2019ll also suggest some hard-hitting measures to keep it as secure as possible.<\/p>\n Regarding empty commercial land, consider the following categories:<\/p>\n With unoccupied land, the short answer is: regretfully, quite a lot.<\/p>\n Unsecured areas can be hazardous on a warm sunny day (or any day); they\u2019re a magnet for children who may accidentally start a fire when playing. In addition, arsonists love fire and know how to set it to cause maximum chaos and damage.<\/p>\n In addition, combustible materials such as rubbish and debris left on unoccupied land may further increase the risk.<\/p>\n An abandoned or insecure plot can be exceptionally appealing. It becomes a hub for criminal activity and antisocial behaviour, not least a spot for illegal gatherings, which escalate and grow.<\/p>\n If vacant properties attract\u00a0difficulties<\/em>, shall we say, the knock-on effect resonates around and about. There is a feeling of heightened risk, putting businesses off from investing and potential homebuyers from moving there. Thus, there could be a substantial knock-on effect on property values.<\/p>\n Likewise, urban blight \u2013 where unused land can signal economic decline.<\/p>\n Squatters don\u2019t just take up residence in commercial buildings. In the milder months, your land could become an ideal free camping site for all and sundry. Plus, with added illegal activities \u2013 there will be an awful lot of mess.<\/p>\n Dangerous, unsanitary items, including drug needles (known as \u201csharps\u201d) and discarded rubbish, can make a site unsafe. And, hazardous waste can pose a health problem to nearby residents and wildlife.<\/p>\n As we\u2019ve mentioned before, clearing and cleaning costs are your responsibility as the landowner. This task is difficult, time-consuming, and risky, so only highly qualified experts should undertake it.<\/p>\n Now that you recognise the threats, how can you reduce them \u2013 or ideally, eliminate them altogether?<\/p>\n Prevention is, as the saying goes, better than cure.<\/p>\n In this case,\u00a0miles<\/em>\u00a0better Never a truer word etc. Proper security will save you time, stress, and in the end \u2013 money. The solutions you choose will depend on the size of the land in question, its location and any other land or properties surrounding it. So, not everything we suggest will be appropriate. But, given that all vacant land has a perimeter let\u2019s start with more obvious processes:<\/p>\n Perimeter fencing is a recognisable, palpable problem-solver. An actual, physical barrier.<\/p>\n It goes without saying that an intruder\u2019s first attempts will be from the outside in. A no-go barrier acts as a deterrent and a block. Most likely, you would have fencing installed alongside other measures, such as mobile CCTV Towers.<\/a><\/p>\n There are different types of fencing available:<\/p>\n Clearway offers high-quality CCTV that works 24\/7, providing outstandingly clear and detailed footage with a wide viewing angle.<\/p>\n This answers a knotty problem: Who\u2019s there, and do they have harmful intent? Sometimes, the answer is no \u2014 curious wildlife can be caught on camera, for example. At other times, would-be intruders will have their unwanted, unwelcome moment in the spotlight, with actionable footage that can be used as evidence in police investigations.<\/p>\n Any threats, including fire hazards, are immediately notified to a monitoring centre.<\/p>\n When used in conjunction with CCTV, video-verified alarms<\/a> make the most of contemporary technology. You can easily and wirelessly monitor comings and goings and establish the difference between a genuine intrusion and a false alert.<\/p>\n These systems don\u2019t require mains power and have long-life batteries.<\/p>\n Each alarm unit instantaneously detects movement or unusual activity, capturing a series of images as a short video clip forwarded to a monitoring centre. Security responders can then act appropriately, with full knowledge of what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n They\u2019re definitely worth considering if you have areas where you store machinery, for example.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s a danger of vehicles coming onto your unused land, concrete blocks<\/a> are your best low-tech security solution; they will solve the problem in one fell swoop.<\/p>\n Strategically placed, they are\u00a0beyond<\/em>\u00a0heavy, meaning no one can move them without access to specialist equipment.<\/p>\n Talk to Clearway about security gates to restrict entry to authorised individuals, and don\u2019t forget to ask us about an initial security assessment<\/a>. Unoccupied land may seem more straightforward, but an independent review will analyse what, if any, security is in place now \u2013 and identify any weak spots.<\/p>\n Sometimes, unoccupied land stays that way for a reason: to add open green spaces in urban areas or for environmental considerations. However, with the rising cost of living, intruders are motivated to enter vacant land, especially if it affords opportunities for further activities.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t make it easy for them. Stress less.<\/p>\n Yes, without a doubt, robust security measures are an investment. But \u2013 they\u2019re so much more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of what can amount to an invasion.<\/p>\n If you have a plot of land that you intend to develop or sell at a later date, Clearway can give you the peace of mind to know that all is well, however far away you may be.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/protecting-farmland.jpg\")
\nOpen To The Elements \u2013 And More<\/h2>\n
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What Could Go Wrong?<\/h2>\n
1. Fire Hazard<\/h3>\n
2. Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour<\/h3>\n
3. Property Values<\/h3>\n
4. Squatters<\/h3>\n
5. Health Hazards and Environmental Impact<\/h3>\n
6. Clean Up Costs<\/h3>\n
So, How To Solve All Of This?<\/h2>\n
Perimeter Fencing \u2013 Your First-Base Choice<\/h2>\n
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![\"off](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/off-grid-CCTV-Tower.jpg\")
\nVideo Verified Alarms<\/h2>\n
![\"video](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Video-Verified.webp\")
\nConcrete Blocks<\/h2>\n
![\"Concrete](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/vps-concrete.jpg\")
\nOther Solutions<\/h2>\n
What Clearway Thinks<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n