Supplementary Guidance

Strategic Framework for Green Network

Consultation Draft

February 2019

2SESplan and the Strategic DevelopmentPlan1

3Strategic Development Plan SupplementaryGuidance2

4Have Your Say35What is the Green Network?47

The Strategic Development Plan and theGreen Network5

11Strategic Green Network Framework618Appendix 1

Strategic Framework for the Green Network - Draft Supplementary Guidance SESplan

Contents

SESplan and the StrategicDevelopment Plan

1.1 SESplan is the Strategic DevelopmentPlanning Authority for the Edinburgh and SouthEast Scotland region. The region covers the sixmember authority areas of the City of Edinburgh,East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, theScottish Borders and the southern half of Fife.The member authorities work in partnershipthrough SESplan to prepare the StrategicDevelopment Plan for the area.

1.2 A Strategic Development Plan is a statutoryplanning document which is prepared or updatedevery five years and covers a twenty year timeperiod. It communicates strategic level andcross-boundary planning policy, and appliesnational policy and guidance from the ScottishGovernment. It is used to inform the LocalDevelopment Plans prepared by each of themember authorities in the region.

1.3 The second Strategic Development Planfor Edinburgh and South East Scotland waspublished for comments in October 2016.Following consideration of the commentsreceived, SESplan submitted the Plan to theScottish Government for independent examinationin June 2017. The report of that examination waspublished in July 2018. Scottish Ministers arecurrently considering that report and will eitherapprove the second Strategic Development Plan,approve it with modifications or reject it.

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1 SESplan and the Strategic Development Plan

Strategic DevelopmentPlan Supplementary Guidance

2.1 This document forms the StrategicFramework for the Edinburgh & East andEdinburgh & West Cross-boundary GreenNetwork Priority Areas. In preparing andpublishing this Framework, SESplan are takingforward the requirement set out within Chapter 5of the second Strategic Development Plan thatgreen network guidance will be prepared for thecross boundary Green Network Priority Areas(Edinburgh & East and Edinburgh & West) andthat that guidance will be approved within oneyear of the approval of the second StrategicDevelopment Plan.

2.2 This guidance has been prepared underSection 22 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act2006 and once approved will form part of thestatutory development plan.

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Strategic Development Plan Supplementary Guidance 2

Have Your Say

3.1 We are inviting comments, known asrepresentations, to be made on this draftguidance. Representations should seek to identifyand explain any changes you consider should bemade to the content of this Framework.Representations can be submitted throughthe SESplan Consultation Portal over an eightweek period (12th February to 10th April 2019).Further details on how to submit a representationcan also be found on the SESplan website.

3.2 Following completion of the publicationperiod, SESplan will consider the representationsand decide if any of them warrant modificationsto the Strategic Framework. SESplan will thensubmit the Framework to Scottish Governmentfor approval as supplementary guidance to thesecond Strategic Development Plan.

3.3 The draft Strategic Framework can beviewed on the SESplan website, in public librariesand at local planning authority offices. For moreinformation please contact us atcontactus@sesplan.gov.uk or telephone EmmaHay at Midlothian Council on 0131 270 6753.

3.4 To keep up to date you can sign up to ourmailing list via the SESplan website, follow uson Twitter or like us on Facebook.

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3 Have Your Say

What is the Green Network?

4.1 As set out in the second StrategicDevelopment Plan, green networks are connectedareas of green and blue infrastructure. Welldesigned, multi-functional green networks are afundamental component of successful placesproviding a range of benefits: improving qualityof place, providing opportunities for biodiversity,to get outdoors and lead healthier lives includingsafe and pleasant walking and cycling,strengthening landscape character and improvingvacant and derelict land.

4.2 Both the National Planning Framework andScottish Planning Policy set out a strong policycontext for green infrastructure within city regionsemphasising the scope to deliver multiple benefits,improved quality of life, sustainability andresilience. The Central Scotland Green Network(a long term project working across the centralbelt of Scotland to restore and improve the urbanand rural landscape) is identified in NationalPlanning Framework 3 as a nationaldevelopment.

4.3 The vision for the Central Scotland GreenNetwork is that by 2050 'Central Scotland hasbeen transformed into the place where theenvironment adds value to the economy and

where people's lives are enriched by itsquality.' This vision is underpinned by tenprinciples:

grounded in nature;

at scale;

regenerative;

life enhancing;

connected

functional and resilient;

locally distinctive and respectful of the past;

harnessing the potential of development;

beyond carbon neutral; and

adding value.

4.4 The City of Edinburgh, East Lothian andMidlothian member authorities have all signed aconcordat with the Central Scotland GreenNetwork Trust to support green networkimprovements.

4.5 The Scottish Forest Strategy 2006 alsoincludes the ambitious target of expandingnational woodland cover from 17 to 25% by thesecond half of the century. The Edinburgh andLothians Forestry and Woodland Strategy setsout how the national Scottish Forest Strategy canbe delivered, identifying areas for woodlandexpansion across Edinburgh, West Lothian, EastLothian and Midlothian.

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What is the Green Network? 4

Figure 4.1 Central Scotland Green Network

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4 What is the Green Network?

The Strategic Development Plan andthe Green Network

5.1 The vision for the South East Scotland cityregion set out within the second StrategicDevelopment Plan is that by 2038, 'sustainablegrowth has been achieved by carefully managingthose assets that provide the most benefits andby making well designed, successful places wherepeople can thrive.....more people are cycling andwalking to work......and the region remains anoutstanding place to live, work and visit.' Todeliver this vision, the spatial strategy for the cityregion directs most growth in and aroundEdinburgh and in long term growth corridors. Thisstrategy will help to minimise commuting by car,reduce transport related carbon emissions andmake best use of existing infrastructure.

5.2 Placemaking over the next twenty years isa key element of the strategy. Good places playa fundamental role in attracting investment andsupporting economic growth, promoting healthylifestyles and providing a sense of identity andcommunity. Of particular relevance to thisguidance are the following principles:(1)

Distinctive

Areas within and outside existing andproposed settlements that are important formaintaining their character, townscape,landscape setting and distinctive identityshould be protected and enhanced,particularly where they are needed to preventthe coalescence of settlements.

Safe and Pleasant

It should be easy for people to access green/ open space, including places where theycan enjoy nature.

Developments should be located within anetwork of green and blue infrastructure thatprovides a pleasant outlook for the peopleliving and working there.

Adaptable

Green networks should be multi-functional.They should comprise infrastructure thatprovides a range of benefits and can beadapted and enhanced depending on thelocal need for growing spaces, play spaces,

natural spaces, public parks, sustainabledrainage and the need to adapt to climatechange.

Easy to Move Around

There should be good walking and cyclingnetworks close to where people live,providing safe and convenient access tolocal facilities and to public transport stops.

5.3 The approach to green networks is set outwithin Chapter 5 of the second StrategicDevelopment Plan. This position is underpinnedby the analysis and research compiled withinthe Green Network Technical Note publishedalongside the Plan in October 2016. Discussionswith member authorities and other stakeholdersthroughout the preparation of the Technical Noteidentified the benefits of a strong thematicapproach. Development of the following themeswas seen to offer a useful means of more simplycommunicating the priorities for the greennetwork. The nine themes build on the relevantnational context set by the National PlanningFramework and Scottish Planning Policy.

1 Table 3.1 of the second Strategic Development Plan (Placemaking Principles)

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The Strategic Development Plan and the Green Network 5

Figure 4 Green Network Themes

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5 The Strategic Development Plan and the Green Network

5.4 Improving connectivity is also a key part ofthe overall SDP strategy for the next twentyyears. Active travel routes are critical elementsof the green network, with better cycling andwalking networks making the region an easierplace to do business and a better place to live.Figure 6.1 and paragraphs 6.4 and 6.8 of thesecond Strategic Development Plan directMember Authorities to safeguard local routes withall developments to also include good access towalking and cycling networks. Major upgradesto walking and cycling infrastructure is needed toencourage more people to leave their car at homefor journeys into and out of Edinburgh. Figure6.1 is shown on the following page.

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The Strategic Development Plan and the Green Network 5

Strategic Green Network Framework

6.1 Building on the work done to inform theGreen Network Technical Note and recognisingthe importance of the green network to creatinggood places and delivery of the spatial strategy,Figure 5.2 of the Strategic Development Planidentifies two cross boundary Green NetworkPriority Areas and eight additional Green NetworkPriority Areas. These areas have been identifiedas they indicate broad areas of greatest strategicimportance for the green network. They alsorepresent a significant component of the CentralScotland Green Network. Figure 5.2 is shown onthe following page.

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Strategic Green Network Framework 6

6.2 This guidance relates to the two crossboundary Green Network Priority Areas -Edinburgh & East and Edinburgh & West.Member authorities have committed to preparingnon-statutory frameworks for the other priorityareas.

6.3 The approach encouraged within the Planis to ensure that strategic green networkinfrastructure is maintained, connected andprioritised ensuring multiple benefits.

6.4 The City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and EastLothian across the east of Edinburgh and City ofEdinburgh and West Lothian to the west ofEdinburgh will continue to work together to takea plan-led approach to supporting the ongoingdevelopment and establishment of the strategicgreen network, enhancing key greeninfrastructure. The key priority to the East isremoving the barriers to active travel includingwalking and cycling along the Edinburgh CityBypass and upgrading existing cycle routes alongthe A199 to a continuous strategic route providinglinkages between East Lothian and the City. Tothe West, the priority is to enhance placemakingand landscape character at and around settlementgateways and to recognise the value of greeninfrastructure within and beyond the green belt.

6.5 The Green Network Technical Note setsout summary statements for both the Edinburgh& East and Edinburgh & West priority areas.These are included as Appendix 1 and set outobjectives across the nine green network themes.These statements are the result of extensiveengagement with the SESplan member authoritiesand key agencies throughout the preparation ofthe second Strategic Development Plan.

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Strategic Green Network Framework 6

6.6 Local Development Plans will identifyand safeguard those elements of the greennetwork within the Edinburgh & East andEdinburgh & West Cross Boundary GreenNetwork Priority Areas which provide, or havethe potential to provide the greatest benefitsfor people and nature as highlighted belowand on Figure 5 and 6.

6.7 SESplan member authorities will ensurethat strategic enhancements to greennetworks and the walking and cycling networkare considered when preparing LocalDevelopment Plans, including in theidentification and allocation of sites and whenmaking planning decisions.

6.8 Development should take account of andcontribute to the benefits set out at paragraph5.18 of the second Strategic DevelopmentPlan. The priorities for action are:

Safeguarding strategic green corridorsalong the River Esk (including the NorthEsk and South Esk rivers) and RiverAlmond;

Safeguarding recreational and activetravel routes along the Union Canalincluding linkages to the River Almond,Almondell Country Park and LinnAqueduct;

Safeguarding a strategic green corridorto the south east of Edinburghconnecting Holyrood Park, Dalkeith,Musselburgh and Little France providingfor enhanced landscape character, openspace, active travel and habitatconnections;

Encouraging woodland creation,structural planting and landscapeimprovements along major transportcorridors and at strategic road junctionsincluding the Edinburgh City Bypass andSheriffhall Roundabout and the proposedKilpunt Park and Ride facility to the eastof Broxburn and west of the M9 along theA89;

Utilising the Central Scotland GreenNetwork pilot mapping exercise toaddress gaps in hab i ta tnetworks, focusing initially on improvinglinkages between country houselandscapes and designated historicGardens and Designed Landscapes;

Protecting the green corridor betweenWinchburgh and East Broxburn withpreparation of a management plan for theBings to the north of Broxburn including

identification of an associated pathsnetwork and establishment of the'Heritage Park' proposal; and

Safeguarding, creating andenhancing strategic walking and cyclingroutes: Edinburgh - Gorebridge, A1 /A199, Edinburgh Orbital Route, River EskPath, Musselburgh - Penicuik, A89 / A8,A71, Union Canal (Great Train NCN 754),Cross Borders Drove Road (Great Trail)

6.9 SESplan Member Authorities will continueto work in partnership with key agencies includingScottish Natural Heritage, Lothian and Fife GreenNetwork Partnership, Central Scotland GreenNetwork Trust and the Edinburgh and LothiansGreenspace Trust in the preparation of LocalDevelopment Plans and in making planningdecisions. Feasibility studies will be taken forwardwhere appropriate to allow outline specificationsto be prepared and costs to be identified fordiscussions with landowners and applications forgrant funding to be explored to further the deliveryof green network improvements across theEdinburgh & East and Edinburgh & West GreenNetwork Priority Areas.

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6 Strategic Green Network Framework

17Strategic Framework for the Green Network - Draft Supplementary Guidance SESplan

Appendix 1

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