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General Research Findings
11. In their research findings report Hexagon Research and Consulting provided a general summary of the responses made to the consultation draft SPP 11:
- A large majority of respondents agreed with the principles, objectives and main proposals contained in the consultation draft and expressed strong support for the requirement for local authorities to prepare open space audits and strategies that should be updated at least every five years.
- There was strong support for the presumption against the development of existing open space or space capable of being brought back into functional use.
- There was general support for the proposal to broaden sportscotland's remit as a statutory consultee to include smaller scale/community sports facilities and that they should be consulted on proposals to demolish sports facilities.
- A majority of respondents supported the proposal for regular monitoring of changes in local provision of open space but concern was expressed about the resources that will be required, the scale/threshold of community or area to be covered by the audit, and the timescale for monitoring and reviewing audits and strategies.
- There was support for the principle of a model development plan policy for protection of open space but there was no consensus as to whether it should be mandatory. Few respondents agreed with the wording of the draft provided in the SPP.
- A majority of respondents agreed in principle that there should be further consultation arrangements for development proposals likely to affect other types of open space not included in the remit of sportscotland, but there was no consensus on which other organisations should be formally consulted.
- There was support in principle for national minimum standards for open space within new development, though some concern that these could become the 'maximum' rather than minimum. Concern was also expressed that the SPP does not meet its aim of providing standards for quality and accessibility.
- Local authorities and private sector organisations made extensive comments on the details of the proposed national minimum standards particularly in relation to lack of flexibility for Class 9 (residential) developments.
- Several local authorities and private sector organisations expressed concern over proposals for consent for development of open space being notified to Ministers, and that extending consultation on certain matters might slow down the planning process.
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