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PLANNING FOR OPEN SPACE WITHIN NEW DEVELOPMENT
Design of open space
40. Local authorities and developers in all sectors should aim to create new open spaces which are fit for purpose and sustainable over the long term. This means that new open spaces must be well designed, well built, and capable of adaptation along with changes in the needs and requirements of users. Wherever possible local authorities and developers should aim to include imaginative planting which can contribute to the quality of biodiversity within urban areas and enhance the survival and awareness of plant species native to Scotland.
41. A recent audit commissioned by sportscotland highlighted the poor condition of many of Scotland's sports facilities and playing fields. The report indicates that each local authority should take steps to ensure the right quality and mix of facilities in light of the changing pattern of demand for sport. In order to encourage participation in sport, facilities must be of good quality and be well maintained.
Minimum standards
42. Local authorities have overall responsibility for open space across their areas. They are therefore required to set out standards for the quantity of open space that should be available to new and existing communities, informed by the open space strategy. This SPP introduces new national minimum standards for the quantity of open space that should be included in certain types of new development. Table 1 (below) sets out these standards, along with thresholds for the scale of development to which they apply. All local authorities must either adopt the national minimum standards and thresholds, or may set higher standards, where this can be justified by the findings of the open space strategy. Local authorities should also establish their own local quality and accessibility standards, to ensure that open space is well designed and suitable for the needs of the community that will use it.
43. Open space provided as part of new developments should comprise one or more of the following broad types: park, play, sports areas, allotments, green corridors, and accessible semi-natural space. The development plan has a key role in setting out the standards and the type of open space provision to be delivered. Taking account of the open space strategy and assessment of existing levels of open space and future requirements, the development plan must indicate the type or types of open space provision which are to be provided in conjunction with new development. This will help ensure delivery of appropriate facilities and provide greater certainty for developers. Supplementary planning guidance should be used where appropriate to set out the mix of types of open space that is required on any one site.
44. Providing open space as part of the development will usually be the preferred approach, however where this is physically impossible or inappropriate, off-site provision may provide a suitable alternative. Where the open space strategy indicates a surplus in the quantity of open space in a local area, a financial contribution towards improvement or management of existing open space may be an appropriate alternative. Where a financial contribution is being made, the first option will be to meet the need for off-site facilities in the local area, the second option will be to meet the need for off-site quality improvements in the local area, and the third option will be to meet the needs for wider open space provision and management. Development plans should set out a sequential approach to open space delivery, informed by the open space strategy.
Table 1: New National Minimum Open Space Standards for New Development
New open space provision should comprise one or more of the following broad types: park, play, sports areas, allotments, green corridors, and accessible semi-natural space. Paragraph 43 indicates the role of the development plan in setting out the type or types of open space to be provided.
Use Class | Thresholds | Quantity |
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Class 1 (Retail) | Retail Parks and similar greater than 5.0ha or 10,000m 2 gfa | 12-18m 2 of open space per 100m 2 gfa |
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Class 4 (Business) | Business Parks and similar greater than 5.0ha or 10,000m 2 gfa | 9-15m 2 of open space per 100m 2 gfa |
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Class 5 (Industry) | Industrial Parks and similar greater than 5.0ha or 10,000m 2 gfa | 6-12m 2 of open space per 100m 2 gfa |
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Class 6 (Distribution) | Distribution Parks and similar greater than 5.0ha or 10,000m 2 gfa | 6-12m 2 of open space per 100m 2 gfa |
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Class 9 (Residential) | Housing or mixed use developments of 10 or more units or greater than 0.5ha | 60m 2 total open space per household to include:
40m 2 of open space divided between parks, sports areas, allotments, green corridors, semi-natural space and civic space, as set out in the development plan;
20m 2 of informal play / recreation space and equipped play areas
Note that this is additional to any garden space provided as part of the development. |
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Class 11 (Leisure) | Leisure Parks or similar greater than 5.0ha or 10,000m 2 gfa | 12-18m 2 of open space per 100m 2 gfa |
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Note: Areas refer to gross floor areas (gfa).
Consultation questions
(v) These standards are derived from the research into Minimum Standards for Open Space. Do you consider the proposed standards and thresholds to be appropriate? Are there other types of development that you consider should be included in the standards?
(vi) These standards are intended as minimum standards, with local authorities adopting their own more stringent standards where appropriate. Should there be a different set of minimum standards for the quantity of open space required in developments in rural areas? Do you have views on appropriate thresholds and quantities?
Management and maintenance
45. Poorly managed or neglected open spaces not only fail to meet the needs of communities, they can seriously detract from the quality of the environment, and inhibit regeneration and development. It is not enough for proposed open space to be well located, accessible and thoughtfully designed. It must be properly managed and maintained. PAN 65: Planning and Open Space provides guidance on potential arrangements for management and maintenance of open space.
46. Planning authorities should work with developers to ensure that proper arrangements are in place for the long-term management of any open space, landscaping and other common facilities proposed. Maintenance must be considered as an element of the open space audit and strategy and during assessment of development proposals, particularly during pre-application discussions.
47. Where possible, provision for management and maintenance should be addressed through conditions attached to planning consent. For some developments, a planning agreement may be necessary either to enable the development to proceed, to enhance the quality of development or to reduce, eliminate or compensate for potentially negative impacts on land use, the environment and infrastructure. Where planning agreements are considered appropriate, the principles of Circular 12/1996 on Planning Agreements must be applied. www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/1996/04/circular-12-1996
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