Strategy aims to protect and improve open spaces

Planning policy requires councils to place more value on open space

News, 15 November 2007

Councils will need to prepare an open space strategy to protect and improve open space, as part of a new planning policy issued today.

Scottish Planning Policy 11: Open Space and Physical Activity, which comes into effect immediately, is designed to protect existing valued open space and identify where there is a need for new and improved spaces, helping to deliver greener, healthier and safer networks of open space. Strategies will then inform decisions on proposals in each council's development plan.

The policy will introduce:

a requirement to consult with the local community as part of the open space strategy;
development plans to set out specific requirements for the provision of open space in new developments;
new consultation procedures for planning applications affecting sports facilities, such as tennis courts and bowling greens;
a requirement to notify ministers where development is proposed on land identified as open space in the development plan.

The term "open space" includes parks, playing fields, foot and cycle paths, woodland, allotments and civic spaces.

Each strategy will have to be reviewed every five years and there will not be nationally set minimum standards for the quantity of open space in new developments.

Planning Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "By strengthening protection for existing open spaces we will ensure that the future needs of all our communities are provided for. In devising their own strategies, councils will be better equipped to manage, protect and enhance open spaces within their areas.

"This policy will make an important contribution towards ensuring we have a modernised planning system which is efficient, inclusive and fit for purpose."

The Scottish Government has also announced the publication for consultation of the draft Bathing Water (Scotland) Regulations 2008, which transpose the revised Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC into Scots law. This is due to take place by 24 March 2008.