ROB ROBERTSON - August 11 2006

Protection for the dear green spaces

http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/67669.html

(This copied here as link doesn't always work)

The Herald

Tough new measures have been drawn up by ministers to make it harder for developers to build over sports facilities, parks and allotments.

The Scottish Executive move to protect Scotland's open spaces has been welcomed as a major boost by campaigners fighting to stop what they see as the destruction of civic amenities.

Politicians last night praised the proposals which they hoped would be beneficial to cities such as Glasgow where space is at a premium and property developers remain keen to build on open ground.

Under the new draft policy all local authorities will have to, for the first time, carry out an audit of all the open spaces in their area. They will be forced to consult sportscotland, the executive's sports agency, on any development that will lead to the loss of smaller sports facilities such as bowling greens and tennis courts.

The proposed physical activity and open space policy also makes it clear that playing fields and sports pitches should not be redeveloped unless there are exceptional circumstances. Malcolm Chisholm, the Communities Minister, speaking at the project launch in Dundee, said : "Open spaces are the green lungs for our towns, cities and villages."

"Improving Scotland's appalling health record is a key priority for the executive. It is vital that people have every opportunity to get out in the fresh air and take exercise. "Good planning is the key to retaining and enhancing these community assets - the parks, playing fields, pitches and allotments - and that is why local councils will be required to undertake an audit of their open spaces and set out a strategy of how they will manage them." It is hoped the initiative will have the knock-on effect of encouraging business investment in declining areas.

A case in point is the Ardler Village Trust in Dundee which Mr Chisholm toured yesterday. It is an area which has been redeveloped with open spaces and sports facilities mixed with new housing. Mr Chisholm said: "This is part of our wider modernisation to create a more efficient planning system which actively engages with local people from the outset in shaping the plans for their areas." Robin Harper, the Green MSP, welcomed the proposals but stressed that audits by councils must be ongoing so that any loss of open space is assessed over time.

He said: "The executive has consistently failed to recognise the importance of informal space for children and young people." "It is crucial for their health and development that they have easy access to informal spaces for play and exercise. Ongoing audits and strategies designed to protect open spaces are essential if people are to have a decent quality of life."

"Let's hope the final policy is implemented quickly and is robust and effective." Pauline McNeill, the Labour MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, whose constituency takes in the west end of the city, said the new proposals were vital for cities such as Glasgow which wanted to protect open spaces.

She said: "This proposed legislation is long overdue and something I have campaigned for." She said a prime example of what can happen involves Dowanhill Tennis Club in Glasgow's west end, where a developer's plans have met vociferous local opposition.

"I believe the company is set to lodge a planning application soon and as this legislation remains out to consultation until November, it may have come too late to influence this particular development.

"If it was in place it would help the council oppose it as Glasgow does not want or need to lose another green space and sports facility. "Glasgow and the rest of Scotland need tough legislation to protect our public areas and sports facilities and what is proposed by the Scottish Executive fits the bill in that sense."