News In Focus
10 August 2006
Executive plans greater protection of open spaces
The Scottish Executive has outlined tougher measures to secure and protect open spaces.
Under the draft Scottish Planning Policy SPP11, "Physical Activity and Open Space", all local authorities will, for the first time, have to carry out an audit and prepare a strategy for open space in their area. There will be a presumption against development on existing valued open space, and sportscotland will have to be consulted on any development which will lead to loss of smaller sports facilities such as bowling greens and tennis courts.
The draft replaces previous guidance from 10 years ago and is now out for public consultation until 3 November.
The proposed local authority audits should cover all open space, recreational and sporting facilities, public and privately-owned, including those owned by schools and voluntary clubs. Informal open space should be assessed as well as larger established sites and formal facilities.
Ministers must be notified if a local authority seeks to grant consent for development on open space identified in local development plans, or open space which the authority owns, and there are substantial local objections.
Playing fields and sports pitches should not be redeveloped unless there are exceptional circumstances. The policy sets out specific criteria governing these.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said: "Improving Scotland's appalling health record is a key priority for the Executive. It is vital that people have every opportunity to get out in the fresh air and take healthy exercise.
"Good planning is the key to retaining and enhancing these community assets - the parks, playing fields, pitches and allotments. That is why local councils will be required to undertake an audit of their open spaces and set out a strategy of how they will manage them."
The draft SPP11 is available on: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Planning/About/Consultations .