Making (Green) Connections in the CSGN

Mike Batley, CSGNT

Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN)Mike Batley, CSGNT

Making (Green) Connections

Contents

Context:• CSGN – what, where, why• The Vision Delivering the CSGN:• Policy and Partnerships• Making Progress• Vacant and Derelict Land• Concluding remarks

A continuing National Development in NPF3, published in June 2014.

“… in some places past land use has left a legacy of disused land, poor quality greenspace and fragmented habitats. Here, a step change in environmental quality is required to address disadvantage and attract investment, whilst sustaining and enhancing biodiversity, landscape quality and wider ecosystems.”

The CSGN – what, where, why

A continuing National Development in NPF3, published in June 2014.

“…our strategy continues to prioritise environmental improvements in the Central Belt, with the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) now helping to make this area more attractive to investors and residents. It remains a national development with a broad purpose and scope to achieve multiple benefits as it increasingly delivers transformational projects on the ground.”

The CSGN – what, where, why

WhatWhere Why

Image: © Forestry Commission Scotland

What Where Why

Image: © The City of Edinburgh Council

The CSGN – what, where, why

NPF3 Priorities for CSGNT & others• Remediation of vacant

and derelict land• Action in

disadvantaged communities

• Active travel (walking and cycling)

The Vision

By 2050, Central Scotland has been transformed into a place where the environment adds value to the economy and where people’s lives are enriched by its quality

The Vision

Some green network outcomes: Supporting sustainable economic growth Making liveable places Encouraging community action Addressing health inequalities Mitigating and adapting to climate change Encouraging active travel

Policy and Partnerships

Who’s Making it Happen? Strong all party support in Government CSGN Programme Committee & Programme Manager CSGN Trust

Working with: Forestry Commission Scotland / Scottish Natural Heritage 19 Local Authorities Regional GN and other partnerships Local delivery organisations Developers, Business and Communities

Policy and Partnerships

Policy and Partnerships

Local Authorities can support the CSGN through: Strategic Development Plans Local Development Plans Supplementary Planning Guidance Single Outcome Agreements Community Planning Open Space Strategies

Concordats exist with LA’s that highlight these measures as they develop

Policy and Partnerships

Planning Hierarchy Role in Green Network Development

National Planning Framework

Providing a vision for the role of CSGN in Scotland’s future Requiring collaboration between areas & partners

Scottish Planning Policy

Clarifying Ministers’ expectations on GN contribution Providing detail on key elements of GNs

Strategic Development Plans

Defining & setting out a strategic vision for the contribution of the green network to the regional spatial strategy

Identifying strategic priorities for GN development over next 25 years Identifying strategic elements of the GN to be safeguarded/built upon?

Local Development Plans

Defining & setting out a strategic vision for the contribution of the GN to the local spatial strategy

Identifying priorities for safeguarding & developing the GN Setting out policies on how GN considerations will be dealt with in development

management Area Masterplans & Development Briefs

Considering impact of proposed development on the GN Planning positively for GN enhancement

Development Management

Safeguarding important elements & connectivity of the GN Requiring development to contribute positively to the development of the GN

Making Progress

CSGN Development Fund

2010 - 2015 Round:

£5.3M distributed as 154 grants awarded to

119 projects

focus on delivery

2015 - 2016 Round:

awards currently being finalised

£500K available

Making Progress

Development Funded

GN master planning: Irvine Bay Stirling Green Arc Barrhead Town Centre Vale of Leven Industrial Estate,

West Dumbarton Seven Lochs Wetland Park Leven Valley, Fife

© Ironside Farrar

Development Funded project:

Fife Council Greening and temporary greening of vacant and derelict land study

Making Progress

© Optimised Environments Ltd

Vacant and Derelict Land

Unpicking the statistics – SVDLS

2013 11,003 ha 2014 10,874 ha

Average reduction over past 6 years is 134 ha

Yet, 3,355 ha is classed as developable in short-term…this reflects the LDP

e.g. House building – 124 ha on VDL in 2014 (say 3100 units – 20% of Scottish total).

To achieve the VDL renewal above, 72% new houses built on VDL or building completions increase 43% year on year

Vacant and Derelict Land

More Stats…

In the CSGN 35% of sites are VDL for > 25 years

Only 8.2% of VDL is classed as uneconomic to develop

VDL disproportionately affects more disadvantaged areas

© GCVGNP

Smarter Planning Policy for VDL?

Policy presumptions should be encouraged in favour of:

• Interim greening without compromising development allocation for gap sites in business parks or residential areas

Vacant and Derelict Land

Smarter Planning Policy for VDL?

Policy presumptions should be encouraged in favour of:

• Stalled spaces treatment where there can be community / economic benefit

A+DS skill base and information

Vacant and Derelict Land

Smarter Planning Policy for VDL?

Policy presumptions should be encouraged in favour of:

• Allocate ‘Green Network’ sites where natural regeneration has now done the job of remediating VDL

Vacant and Derelict Land

Concluding Remarks

The CSGN – a national planning priority and an ambitious and challenging vision

Delivering the CSGN agenda requires strategic recognition and support

To make the ‘green connections’ in our day jobs that will deliver the CSGN means we should tackle spatial planning in a critical way that challenges the status quo

Thank you!

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