Open Space Strategies and Play Sufficiency Assessments

Measurement of outcomes should be built up from the local, settlement level to understand provision. A top-down, national measure would risk obscuring needs, issues and solutions.

The outcomes should also include the value of local landscape management, which encompass the proposed outcomes, but ensure these are managed holistically. Maintaining and enhancing landscapes will also being in the cultural element of open spaces - how landscapes are created, understood and maintained.

There is reference in the outcomes to "green networks". The National Trust for Scotland, along with other organisations, is calling for the creation of a National Nature Network, which would connect up areas of high nature value. There needs to be greater clarity as to what is meant by a "green network" and how this relates (or does not) to the national nature network concept in the National Planning Framework.

As above. The need for a national nature network has been identified, linking together areas of high nature value across Scotland, to ensure greater resilience for our biodiversity.

The definition of "green networks" falls short of this ambition. If the network is meant for human amenity, then it is adequate. If it is intended for nature recovery, then it will need a more ambitious definition, including reference to species, habitats and connectivity.

Biodiversity - if the intention is to use the open space strategy to assist with nature recovery, then a greater degree of information will be needed on species and habitats, and their condition, in these audits.

Culture - the proposed "types" do not include cultural spaces, such as battlefields, Gardens & Designed Landscapes, or other cultural associations. By including the cultural value of open spaces, the strategy will better connect with how people understand and value these spaces.

Climate change - along with nature recovery, our open spaces will have an important role in managing climate change. The type and condition of land cover in our open spaces will therefore be relevant to natural capital and ecosystem services planning.

As above, the biodiversity, cultural and natural capital value of open spaces should also be considered.

As above, biodiversity, cultural value, and natural capital (suggested by the reference to climate change in this section of the text) should be part of the qualitative assessment.

We agree with the inclusion of biodiversity in the assessment of outcomes - this will require a much higher degree of detail in the "types" mentioned in section 32.

The cultural value, and natural capital value of open spaces should also form part of the assessment.

The consultation document has no definition of "strategic green networks." It is therefore not possible to know what is meant by the use of this term.

The need has been identified for a national nature network, connecting high nature value areas across Scotland in order to underpin nature recovery. This will require assessing the species and habitats affected, and how best these can be connected.

There is a risk that an undefined "green network", which may be of low biodiversity benefit (e.g. a strip of closely mown grass) is substituted for a nature network.

We would prefer reference to be made to a nature network where improving biodiversity is one of the objectives.

As above. At present, the meaning of a "green network" and its relationship, if any, to nature recovery is unclear. Where improving biodiversity is the objective, then the term nature network is preferred.

The assessment should include the condition of the assets, as well as their presence. Accepting the reviews may be 10-years apart, knowing which assets were in a safe and usable condition, and where these are located (which in turn can be linked to the wellbeing of communities), will help assess provision.

Landscape is important to communities and how they understand and relate to their local open spaces. These may also be designated (e.g. battlefields, Gardens and Designed Landscapes, Special Landscape Areas, etc.). Historic and natural landscapes are also mapped, and available as GIS data.

If the intention is to use green spaces as part of national efforts on nature recovery, then it would be helpful to understand the expected reach and impact of the regulations on biodiversity.

For Strategic Environmental Assessment, data on biodiversity (including location and condition and management measures) are available from NatureScot, including for protected areas, and natural spaces.

As mentioned above, the cultural value, and the natural capital value of our open spaces should form part of the assessment. A landscape approach would help bring these and other elements together, and be a gateway to working with communities on how these spaces evolve.