Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management

Transcription

1 Promoting green networks in the Lothians & Fife delivering economic, social & ecological benefits in partnership, as part of the Central Scotland Green Network funded by: Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management This paper reviews how green networks will be delivered across the Lothians and Fife within the context of Scottish Planning Policy and highlights the challenges in delivering green networks through development planning and management. This paper is based on discussions held during a workshop session during the Lothians & Fife Green Network Partnership meeting (link to February 2013 workshop outputs). How are green networks implemented through planning? Green network outcomes can be delivered by: through the local development planning process, identifying opportunities for green network protection, creation and enhancement; setting standards and providing guidance for green networks; and ensuring the provision, enhancement and protection of green networks during the development management process. Opportunities Green networks are in the process of being identified within Local Development Plans (LDPs). Depending on the approach taken by individual local authorities, this can: identify and map existing green networks in an effort to preserve and prevent fragmentation; identify broad areas where green network creation/expansion opportunities exist. At a strategic level LDPs may only identify broad brush indicative opportunities; identify settlement level mapping where individual towns have had their green network opportunities mapped; and identify local green network opportunities for some key sites or for inclusion within site development briefs. What has already been done? There are various mechanisms used by each local authority to encapsulate green network planning such as: identifying spatial opportunities for green networks within the LDPs; referencing green networks in Open Space Strategy; developing green network technical notes; and the production of design guidance. Lothians & Fife Green Network Partnership 109/11 Swanston Rd Edinburgh EH10 7DS T website: twitter:

2 Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management Below is a review of the current () green network policy and mapping activity throughout the Lothians and Fife. City of Edinburgh The City of Edinburgh Council has set standards for the quality, quantity and accessibility of greenspace through its Open Space Strategy and related Open Space policy. The council has mapped essential green network links in the Proposed LDP and the Edinburgh Design Guidance establishes quality and placemaking objectives for green networks. The City of Edinburgh Open Space Strategy (2010) In summary: the Open Space Strategy which maps the networked open spaces contains actions to connect or improve the network and shows off-network open spaces, core paths, habitat priority areas and access proposals set out in elsewhere; Edinburgh City Local Plan (ECLP) policy OS 1/LDP Policy Env 18 protects existing open space. Policy Hou 3 in ECLP and LDP sets out the amount of open space sought in new development and makes provision for enhancing and extending the green network, as does ECLP Os 3 and LDP Env 20 for non-residential development; essential green network components are set out in the Proposed LDP housing site briefs; the Proposed LDP contains a series of detailed policies across a number of chapters Design Principles for New Development, Caring for the Environment, and Transport which all aim to safeguard and avoid fragmentation of the green network; and the Edinburgh Design Guidance, integrates green infrastructure with urban design and building design guidance. The guidance illustrates how various elements of a multi-functional green network could be delivered for a range of scenarios, explaining key qualities related to design and environmental policies e.g. surveillance, microclimate, spatial requirements for secure paths, habitat creation and relationship to SUDs and housing.

3 Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management Fife Fife Council is currently preparing a single LDP for Fife (FIFEplan). Consultation on the Main Issues Report (MIR) took place from 14 January to 10 March Fife Council have also developed draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for green infrastructure which was available for consultation during the same period. In addition, the Green Networks in Fife background paper which maps green network opportunities at a settlement level will be used to inform the LDP. In summary: the LDP will show the settlement and inter-settlement green networks that have been (and are in the process of being) identified. These will be supported by a policy in the plan. Proposals in the LDP will include information on green network requirements where green network opportunities have been identified; the Green Infrastructure SPG sets out green infrastructure requirements and opportunities for enhancement of green networks. The SPG highlights the role of site appraisal in assessing green network opportunities; and the Green Networks in Fife background paper will provide detail on the methodology and process used to identify green networks and the various green networks that have been identified for Fife. An action plan may be included as part of this paper or may be a separate document. Extract from Green Networks in Fife background paper prepared by Fife Council and Scottish Natural Heritage (January 2013)

4 Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management West Lothian West Lothian Council have adopted an Open Space Strategy for their area covering the period 2005 to This was linked to the Outdoor Sports Facilities strategy. The Open Space Strategy received an interim review and update in Work is underway to update it for further review in An assessment of the green network potential has been undertaken and will be published as a technical background paper for the LDP that is due in Autumn / Winter This will look at the settlement level opportunities. Proposals in the LDP will include information on green network requirements where these have been identified as green network opportunities. The Main Issues Report for the LDP, due in the spring of 2014, will highlight a strategic plan of wider green networks assets and opportunities across the West Lothian area. June 2010 East Lothian East Lothian Council have developed a draft Open Space Strategy which will help inform the green network strategy, there are ongoing discussions with SNH on green network development for the next LDP. Development frameworks were produced for all strategic housing sites in the previous Local Plan and the same approach is likely to be taken for new sites identified through the Proposed LDP; these will enable green network opportunities to be highlighted. January 2012

5 Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management Midlothian Midlothian Council identified in their LDP MIR indicative strategic Midlothian wide Green Network opportunities and settlement level green network opportunities for committed development at Shawfair and around Loanhead. The Midlothian Green Networks Technical Note maps the indicative Midlothian wide green network components and local green network opportunities. Midlothian Council are keen to obtain views on these suggestions through the MIR consultation and to identify a series of projects that can assist in delivering these green networks. In summary: the technical note provides maps for all spatial data used to identify potential green networks throughout Midlothian and combines this data into an indicative strategic opportunities map. Suggestions were also considered from external bodies and internal sections of the council including those with responsibility for: transport; cycling, footpaths, open space, environmental projects, and planning; and settlement level green networks are indicative and have focussed on development opportunities around Loanhead and Shawfair. Midlothian Council have already undertaken extensive on work on developing a landscape framework for the new Shawfair community. Extract from Midlothian Council Green Networks Technical Note (Main Issues Report 2013)

6 Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management What Are The Gaps? During the LFGNP workshop, when reviewing mapping and delivery of green network opportunities the following comment was made: There is a disconnect between green network opportunities and deliverability. Discussions on possible reasons for this perceived disconnect focussed on: when is it appropriate and what mechanisms exist to ask developers to contribute to green network provision off-site; green networks may stretch across land owned/managed by many different parties; and resourcing of investment in green network development and subsequent asset management. Development Planning In identifying green networks within the local development plan the question whose land is it on has to be answered? If a green network opportunity is located on 3rd party s land, what hook do we have to encourage green network enhancement, creation and/or connection?. This was asked during the LFGNP workshop and after discussions it was conculded that where appropriate, development planning can ensure that green networks are embedded in the overall land use strategy for the region and that green networks are fully integrated into any new development. The workshop discussion recognised that in terms of green network delivery, development planning plays a key role, but can only directly address provision in the areas where development will take place.

7 Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management Development Management Green network proposals within planning applications are considered by development management based on requirements within adopted development plans and in adopted development or site briefs. In terms of green networks, new developments can consider connection to existing green networks in and around the development site, taking into account any relevant LDP policies such as: Open Space Strategies, greenspace proposals, core paths, active travel and biodiversity. Although not every proposed development has the opportunity for provision of green networks on-site or connection to an existing or proposed network. Extract from CEC Open Space Strategy (September 2010) showing existing open space on the green network and proposed additions to the green network Fife Council addresses green network provision in their Green Infrastructure SPG where off-site contributions to existing local greenspaces are discussed and are expected when defined open space standards cannot be met on site. The City of Edinburgh Council uses housing and open space policies to define when developer contributions to off-site open space provision would be expected, again when proposed open space standards as defined by LDP policies cannot be met. Expected contributions from a development to off-site provision are defined in policy by each local authority. Extract from Fife Council draft Green Infrastructure SPG (March 2013) Site Appraisal

8 Green Networks in Planning Policy and Management Green Network Delivery The LFGNP workshop also discussed If there are green network opportunities arising as a result of a new development proposal, but that opportunity is located on 3rd party land between the new development and existing/proposed green network, then how is that opportunity delivered? In these cases, delivery options should be explored by bringing together interested parties to discuss possibilities and co-ordination of green networks opportunities and to identify resources for on the ground delivery. Partnership working brings together expertise from different internal resources and external agencies helping to lever in external funding. As discussed during the workshop, an important selling point when developing projects with 3rd party landowners or when asking developers to do things differently is to be able to quantify how to deliver green networks benefits without incurring additional costs, either in capital outlay or ongoing maintenance. Mutual shared benefits must be emphasised and a convincing argument made on the benefits of green networks. How to do things that do not cost more must be considered as the most convincing argument that can be made. Extract from City of Edinburgh Proposed LDP March 2013 Broomhills and Burdiehouse Site Brief Growth areas in west and south Edinburgh provide opportunities to create & extend green net- In summary the LFGNP workshop discussion concluded that: existing and emerging LDPs strengthen the case for green network provision within new developments. delivering green networks in partnership with relevant parties is key when green network opportunities are located on 3rd party land. It would be useful to have examples and case studies of how green networks have been implemented in a way that has not created an additional resource burden on the local authority, land owner or any 3rd parties.