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 “ … 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 “… 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

What Where 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

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

Making Progress CSGN Development Fund Round: £5.3M distributed as 154 grants awarded to 119 projects focus on delivery 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 ,003 ha ,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

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