Planning Advice Note 65: Planning and open space

THE VALUE OF OPEN SPACE

SOCIAL

7. Well-managed and maintained spaces can create opportunities for all sections of the community to interact. They can promote a sense of place and be a source of community pride, and also offer opportunities for people to play an active part in caring for the local environment. Well-designed spaces can reduce opportunities for crime and the fear of crime. Open space provides opportunities for sport and recreation, helping to promote active and healthy lifestyles, and can open up opportunities for environmental education for local groups, schools and individuals.

ENVIRONMENTAL

8. Open space can define the landscape and townscape structure and identity of settlements. Well-designed networks of spaces help to encourage people to travel safely by foot or bicycle. Green networks and corridors linking spaces also promote biodiversity and enable movement of wildlife. Trees and planting can play a role in the control of air and water pollution and contribute to energy reduction by providing shelter for buildings. They can also help to soften the impact of development and make green and civic spaces more appealing.

ECONOMIC

9. Well-designed and managed spaces can raise the quality of business, retail and leisure developments, making them more attractive to potential investors, users and customers. Areas of open space can also provide economic benefits in their own right; for example, produce from allotments, timber and other wood crops. The quality of civic spaces undoubtedly helps define the identity of towns and cities, which can enhance their attraction for living, working, investment and tourism.

Sustainable Urban Drainage System in Glasgow's East End Local Development Strategy

Glasgow City Council's East End Local Development Strategy sets out to create a 'health promoting community' in the East End of the city. Quality open spaces will form an integral part of this future community - encouraging physical activity, supporting mental wellbeing and attracting economic activity. The Strategy recognises the need for Sustainable Urban Drainage associated with the development of the East End and, crucially, highlights the opportunity for this to provide multifunctional spaces which contribute to a wider green network throughout the area.