south lanarkshire - green network design guidance

Quality Design Guide

gcv green network

South Lanarkshire Green Network

IronsideFarrar December 2009

for South Lanarkshire Council

Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership

gcv green network

South Lanarkshire Green Network Quality Design Guide

IronsideFarrar i

CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Sustainable Green Network 1 1.2 How to use the Guide 2 2.0 Green Networks - Strategic Overview 2.1 Key Outcomes 5 2.2 Enterprise Development 6 2.3 Biodiversity and Environment 6 2.4 Health Improvement 7 2.5 Stronger Communities 7 3.0 Design Guidance 3.1 Key Design Themes 11 3.2 Greenspace Typology 12 3.3 Delivering Benefits to the Community 13-15 3.4 Attractive and Appealing Places 16-20 3.5 Accessible Green Network 21-22 3.6 Biodiverse Greenspaces 23-25 3.7 Promoting Activity, Health and Wellbeing 26-28 3.8 Sustainably Managed Green Network 29-33 4.0 Quality Test 4.1 Quality Assessment Tool 37 4.2 Green Network Assessment Criteria 38-39

1.0 INTRODUCTION

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1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Sustainable Green Networks The Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network “The Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network is an ambitious 20 year programme, which will link parks, walkways, woodlands and countryside a long miles of path and cycle routes bringing a range of social, economic a nd environ mental benefits to the Glasgow metropolitan r egion. The aim is to make the Glasgow metropolitan region one of Europe’s most attractive places to live, work and play through the creation of a large functional Green Network co nnecting quality spaces from Greenock to La nark and Cumbernauld to East Kilbride.” (Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership) The transformation of the environm ent of central Scotland through the creation of a network of high quality, accessible greenspaces is now one of the crucial elements of the Government's spatial strategy for Scotland following the publication of the 2nd National Planning Framework. It reflects a growing recognition by Government, public agenc ies and local authorities of the contribution that high quality greenspace can make to a range of o utcomes, including supporting sustainable econom ic growth and improvin g quality o f life, protecting biodiversity and mitigating climate change. The Glasgow & Clyde Valley (GCV) Green Network is a concept based around the themes of: enterprise development; health improvement; stronger communities ; and biodiversity and environment. The form, size and function of its individual elements will vary considerably across the area, however, the comb ination of these disparate indi vidual elements is what will create the Green Network. It is envisaged that the GCV Green Network will be created by a series of: • Cores/ hubs – large areas of existing or new gr eenspace which alr eady deliver a wid e range of benefits. The aim sh ould be to protect and expand th ese areas, to create cores/ hubs, create visual connections and develop corridors to link them; • Corridors and links – continuous corridors of green space along rivers, disused railways, paths, cycleways and roads that connect co res/ hubs. Many of these corridors are incomplete, or provide a lim ited number of functions, so the number, continuity, visu al connection and functionality of these corridors should be improved; and • Stepping stones – it may not always be necessary or appropriate to create a continuous corridor of greenspace. Development of greenspace “stepping stones” can provide gapped corridors, linking larger areas of greenspace (eg. Roadside verges or gardens). It is likely that there will a lways be some isolated greenspaces, which are difficult to connect to the wider Green Network. While the functions of such spaces are likely to be more limited, they still have potential to provide considerable benefits to local communities.

The South Lanarkshire Green Network South Lanarkshire Council (SLC), and its partners, is seeking to develop the Green Network in South Lanarkshire building on commitments in National and Local policy: • National Planning Framework 2 (NPF2) • Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan (2006) • South Lanarkshire Local Plan (2009) • South Lanarkshire’s Community Growth Area Masterplan Development Frameworks • South Lanarkshire Single Outcome Agreement (2008 - 2009) Both the NPF2 and Structure Plan promote the creation of a Green Network, to enhance the quality of urban areas, the urban fringe and rural areas, and to help integrate town and countryside. The Council recognises that the successful establishment of a Green Network is a key part of developing a more sustainable, competitive location that brings significant benefits to local communities and the environment. South La narkshire Council and GCV Green Network Partnership envisage this being develo ped th rough a partnership of interests (community partners / local residents / developers / council / key agencies etc). Therefore, the purpose of this guide is to provide more focus to developing the Green Network requirements.

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1.2 How to use this Guide The Purpose of the Design Guide This guide has been written for South Lanar kshire Council and the GCV Green Network Partnership to guide t he work of developers, designer s, Councillors, planning of ficers and the public in the creation of a network of high quality, well managed, accessible greenspaces. This guide sets out a series of design principl es based on recognised good planning practice and design standards appropriate to South Lanarkshire. The four f undamental objectives of the design guide are to: • establish the strategic Green Network priorities , in line with the priorities set out in the wider GCV Green Network; • encourage a more co-operative approach by all those involved in the planning, design and development of residential areas; • provide a good pra ctice benchmark to guide prospective developers and assist in the evaluation of development proposals; and • achieve d evelopments of the highest quality with regard to i ntegration, layout, access, design, biodiversity, innovation and management. Planning Advice Note (P AN) 65 provides guidance on the planning and provision of greenspaces, suggesting that provision should be based upon an assessment of the need for the following:

quality – a benchmark against which quality can be measured; quantity – an amount of space per house unit or head of population; and accessibility – at its simplest, distance thresholds for particular types of open space.

The design guide provides a benchmark against which the quality of a proposed development can be measured. This guide is for developments ranging from large schemes on t he edge of, or within, existing settlements to small urban infill sites. Developer s / Architects will be expected to interpret the guide in a site-specific way as scheme designs are develope d and be able to justify their resulting proposals. W e expec t all applic ants who are seeking planning permission to demonstrate how they have taken account of t he need for high quality greenspace design in their development proposals and that every opportunity has been taken to achieve an accessible environment for all.

Structure of the Guide This guidance is divided into the following four sections; 1. Introduction 2. Strategic overview of the Green Network themes 3. Design guidance on the creation of the Green Network 4. A Greenspace Quality Assessment Tool Status of the Guide The guide supports Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) by South Lanarkshire Council. This means that it both supports and reinforces the planning polic ies as set out in the adopted South Lanarkshire Local Plan. The SPG is a material consideration in Development Management and Applications shall nee d to demonstrate support and compliance wit h the Councils Green Network approach with this guide. Further Information and Reference The following references are sources of genera l info rmation from a range of organisations providing details on current policy or initiati ves on sustainable Green Network planning and implementation. • Scottish Government, August 2006, Scottish Planning Policy 11: Physical Activity and

Open Space; • Scottish Government, June 2008, Planning Advice Note 65: Planning and Open Space • Scottish Government, August 2000, Planning Advice Note 60: Planning for Natural

Heritage • GreenSpace and GCV Green Network, May 2008, Greenspace Quality: A Guide to

Assessment, Planning and Strategic Development • GCV Green Network, September 2008, Planning Guidance Part 1 (Draft) • GCV Green Network, November 2008, Green Network Integrated Habitat Network

Model • Scottish Natural Heritage / GCV Green Network, May 2009, GCV Data Management

Study Consideration should be given t o these do cuments, which prov ide additional adv ice and background information. Of particular relev ance is the Greenspace Quality Guide (2008), which aims to inform best practice in dev eloping a co-ordinate d approac h to greenspace quality.

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2.0 STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

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2.0 GREEN NETWORKS - STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 2.1 Key Outcomes Green Networks, Place-Quality and Quality of Life of Communities “Open spaces and sports facilit ies enrich our quality of life and our environm ents. Access to good qualit y open spa ces and fa cilities whi ch encourag e people to play sports and to walk, run, cycle or ride horses are an essential component in the drive to get m ore of the popu lation physically act ive and can contribute to The Scot tish Government’s objective of a Healthier Scotland. Physica l a ctivity can improve mental health and well-being and the presence of tranquil green spaces clo se to where people live and work can encourage relaxation.” (Scottish Planning Policy 11: Physical Activity and Open Space) The provision, design, m anagement and protection of a high quality network of greenspaces in towns and villa ges is an issue central to quality of life and encompasses environmental, social and ec onomic principles of sustainability. Greenspace is a vital resour ce for a range of functi ons including sport, play, improving health, vis ual amenit y, natur e conservation, moderating climate, facilitating urban renewa l and attracting economic development. It is an important theme in a number of policy in itiatives of central government, it s agencies and local authorities. The Green Network defines the urban town and villages of t he conurbation and provides the essential connect ed greenspace that links urban and rural environments; supports biodiversity; enhances local and city-region place quality; supports enterprise; health and well-being; local ame nity and im proves the lives of local residents. There is a growing r ecognition of the im portance of the basic ‘quality of life’ benefits of multi-functional, high qua lity and acc essible greenspaces to individuals and communities. (Refer to “Good Plac es Better Health” Scottish Government, Dec 2008.) Quality greenspaces have been shown to: • Support the local economy, making plac es more desirable for locating business • Enhance the environment and protect biodiversity • Enhance health and well-being • Provide opportunities for education and life long learning • Help establish stronger, safer communities • Benefit children and young people • Support social cohesion and local governance

Conceptual Diagram taken from Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan 2006 (dia.8)

These greenspace benefits can be demonstrated wit hin the co ntext of consideration of health, social, environmental and economic is sues. Green Networ k Develop ment proposals should therefore give consideration to the following GCV Green Network strategic themes. • Enterprise Development • Biodiversity and Environment • Health Improvement • Stronger Communities

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2.2 Enterprise Development Putting greenspace at the heart of regeneration is es sential to creating stronger local economies. The creation of high quality, attractive and well designed greenspaces, which offer a high quality of life for workers, visitors and residents, is likely to be a positive factor in the choice of location for businesses. Many of these businesses will n eed to attract a trained and skilled workforce. A well managed hierarchy of greenspaces providing a range of facilities that w ill encoura ge workers to move to the area. There is the pot ential to increase the involvement of social enterprise organisations in the creation and maintenance of greenspac e. The Gree n Network will create opportunities for the public, private and voluntary sectors.

2.3 Biodiversity and Environment The overall aim of the Biodiversit y and Envi ronment theme is to enha nce the biodiversity value and landscape quality of the Green Ne twork and to promote appreciation of the environmental qualities of the natural environment. Therefore helping to secure the long-term sustainability of the Green Network. Well d esigned green infrastructure brings si gnificant benefits to the biodiversity and environmental qualities of place. The benefit s include the conservation and enhancement of the national, regional and local biodiver sity value of a site, which creates a mo re permeable landscape allowing animals more freedom of movement and allowing biodiversity to flourish. Gr een Networks also help mitigate the ef fects of climate change by providing cooler ar eas around our cities , integrating flood pr evention m easures an d sustainable urban drainage. More attracti ve and diverse greenspaces provide better places for people to live, work and play.

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2.5 Stronger Communities The Green Network can help to bring communiti es together and tackle social injustice, exclusion, deprivation an d support stronger communities . Green Networks can help to achieve a significa nt, yet sustainab le improvement in greenspac es in local neighbourhoods. By encouraging the active engagement of local people in the design, development and lon g-term management of greenspace within their community , the development of the Green Network will estab lish a clear connected framework of paths, routes, parks and gre enspaces that will connec t residential housing with lo cal services, facilities, places of work and wider countryside assets. New connected greenspace wi ll help stimulate interaction between neighbours resul ting in a more i ntegrated and cohesive commu nity. With better quality greenspaces, comes improvements in people’s health as they are more inclined to use their greenspaces for a range of activities including sport, walking, relaxation or play.

2.4 Health Improvement “Choosing our Future”, Scotland’ s Sustainabl e Dev elopment Strategy indicates that “parks and greenspaces within our communities make an important contribution to physical health by providing plac es for walki ng, play and sport, and to mental health by offering ‘breathing spaces’ away from the stresses of modern life.” Local initiatives to get communities invo lved in the design and management of the Green Network will bring multiple benef its. W ell design ed green infr astructure improves the quality of l ife of resi dents by reducing ph ysical and mental health problems throug h physical activity and enjoyment of open space and nature. This is an opportunity to address health inequalities and enable local people to take posi tive steps to improve their health. Particular opportuniti es provided by the Green Network Programme include: healthy eating educational programmes (e.g. a llotments, schools programmes, children’s gardens); physical activity programmes (e.g . GP referral schemes , green gym, healthy walks programme); and mental health and wellb eing initiatives. There is evidence to suggest that quality greenspace that promotes social interact ion and community activities support the creation and mainten ance of resilient and mentally flourishing communities . (Refer to “Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland” available at www.scotland.gov.uk.)

3.0 DESIGN GUIDANCE

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3.0 DESIGN GUIDANCE 3.1 Key Design Themes “Some of the best open spaces are parts of ne tworks. These can he lp to define t he landscape or townsca pe structur e, provide links with t he countryside and allow movement of people and wildlife. National planning policy and advice highlight these attributes. Some valuable open spa ces can on ly be self- standing but, where feasible, planning authorities should try to extend and en hance networks of spaces.” Planning Advice Note 65: Planning and open space. In urban areas or developing urban ar eas, networks of linked, good qualit y greenspace are important for their positive vi sual impact, as well as their role in nature conservation, biodiversity, recr eation, education, and outdoor access. They can provide safe off-road access opportunities by providing path and cycle networks that provide access to spo rts facilities , town centres and local amenities by foot, cycle and horseback. Therefore, opportunities should b e sought to create and enhance links where po ssible. Considerat ion should be given to linked open space inc luding gree n corridors to be established as an integral part of the overall development proposals. From the strategic over view of open space and green networks (see Section 2) the following themes, taken from Gr een Network and Greenspace Scotland Guidance (with the addition of t he Sustainably Managed Green Network theme), have been s elected as displa ying the necessary components of a development with a successful and sustai nable Green Network. These themes, which are considered in fu rther detail in the followi ng sections, have been sub-divided into a number of design criteria which will in turn allow for proposals to be tested according to compliance with t he principles cont ained within them. The design criteria were informed by bes t practice policy and reports, cited in Section 1.0, together with an assessment of the particular needs of South Lanarkshire’s Green Network. There is no single approach that can be applied to a design that can tell you what is the most sui table appr oach to development. However this guide will show that there ar e a number of dif ferent planning and design princip les/ considerations, which should be used to help inform the final development proposal.

3.3 • Establishing greenspace that is f it for purpose, appropriate ly located and delivers benefits across the community

• Good routes to community facilities and transport modes • Safe and welcoming with good levels of natural surveillance

3.4 • Part of the wider land scape structure and setting, con necting to wider Green Network.

• Sense of distinctive local identity with memorable places • Attractive plants and landscape elements • Attractive, positive setting for urban areas • Appropriate lighting levels

3.5 • Accessible entrances in the right places • Provides surfaced, fit for purpose paths

3.6 • Contributes positively to biodiversity • Functional to sustain wildlife populations and offer habitat diversity • Balance between habitat protection and access

3.7 • Providing places for social interaction • Provides appropriately sited high quality facilities for a range of ages and activities • Provides places for a range of outdoor activities with diverse play, sport and

recreational opportunities

3.8 • Designed to enable good quality, sustainable maintenance • Community involvement in management • Resource efficient and sustainable • Naturalistic form of SUstainable Drainage System (SUDS) design • Provides diversity of SUDS design

Delivering Benefits to the Community

Attractive and Appealing Places

Accessible Green Network

Biodiverse Greenspaces

Promoting Activity, Health and Wellbeing

Sustainably Managed Green Network

Section Theme Design Criteria

3.2 Defining Greenspace Typology

• Public Parks • Amenity Greenspace • Playspace • Sports Areas • Green Corridors • Semi-natural Space • Private Grounds • Functional Space

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3.2 Greenspace Typology

Public Parks Areas of land normally enclos ed, designed, constructed, managed and maintained as a public park or garden. Whilst usually in public own ership, in some instances these may be owned or managed by community groups. Amenity Greenspace Greenspace areas providing visu al amenity or separating different buildings or land uses for environmental, visual or safety reasons and used for a va riety of informal or social activities such as sunbathing, picnics or kickabouts.

Playspace Areas providing safe and accessible opportunities for children's play, usually linked to housing areas. Sports Areas Large and generally flat areas of grassland or specially designed surfaces, used primar ily for design ated sports (including playing fields, golf courses, tennis cour ts and bowling greens) and which are generally bookable for community use.

Green Corridors Routes including cana ls, river corridors and old railwa y lines, linking dif ferent areas within a to wn or city as part of a designated and managed network and used for w alking, cycling or horse riding. Semi Natural Space Areas of undeve loped or previously de veloped land with residual natural habitats or w hich have been planted or colonised by vegetation and wildlife, inclu ding woodland and wetland areas. Private Grounds Areas of land normally enclosed and associated with a house or institution and reserved for private use.

Functional Space May be one or more types as required by local circumstances or priorities. These could include for allotments or community gardens.

“Greenspace Quality – A Guide to Assessment, Planning and Strategic Development” categorises greenspace into eight distinct types, each with its own characteristics. This typology, which is taken from PAN 65 Planning and Open Space, is co nsidered to be relevant to the Green Ne twork requirements. Defining the gree nspace type allows for a more focused ass essment of the suitability of any proposed greenspace design in meeting the design guidelines criteria.

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3.3 Delivering Benefits to the Community

Design Criteria Establishing greenspace that is fit for purpose, appropriatel y located and delivers benefits across the community. Design principles: • Ensure greenspace is robustly designed, community supported

and has a considered and sustainable management strategy. • Ensure that the greenspace is lo cated where it can maximis e

benefits to the community by pr oviding id entifiable d esire line access and in providing strong i nterconnectivity with the wider greenspace.

• Ensure that the greenspace benef its users of differing abilitie s by having a quality, contiguous path system with minimal road crossings. This should allow acc ess and experience of qualit y multi-functional, biodiverse

landscapes. Applicable typology:

Good practice: • A network of greenspace should be designed as the landscape

framework. • Ensure that the lands cape provides opportunity for community

engagement by providing appropriate spaces for activities and events and the potential for active involvement in the management.

Poor practice • Fragmented greenspace remote from clear desire lines and

housing.

Connection between housing and destination points achieved but poor connectivity between destinations

Connection betw een housing and destinations together with connectivity between destinations achieved.

Well planned and designed greenspaces together with good quality sports and recreational facilities can play a major part in improving people's sense of well being in the place they live. As a focal point for community activities, they can bring together members of communities and provide opportunities for volunteering.

Public parks Green corridors

Amenity greenspace Semi natural space

Playspace Private grounds

Sports areas Functional space

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3.3 Delivering Benefits to the Community

Design Criteria Good routes to community facilities and transport nodes. Design principles: • Consider pedestrian and cyclist movemen ts from th e outset o f the

design and ensure that desire lines are met. • Consider site topography to ensure that routes are accessible an d

minimises changes in level. • Ensure that identifie d routes are welco ming, have good natur al

surveillance and are well lit. Applicable typography:

Good practice: • Ensuring that cycle parking is provided at destination points. • Good quality easily readable robust signage in the right locations. • Ensuring that routes are contiguous and minimise road crossings. • Accessible routes to public transport/ community facilities. Poor practice • Use of gates and other barriers wh ich may deter pedestrian and cycle

use. • Undesirable routes to public transport.

Path constructed to minimise impact of topography and provide an open and direct desire line link towards identifiable community facility.

Well planned and designed greenspaces together with good quality sports and recreational facilities can play a major part in improving people's sense of well being in the place they live. As a focal point for community activities, they can bring together members of communities and provide opportunities for volunteering.





Connection between community facilitie s and destinations achiev ed, encouraging people to opt for more sustainable forms of transport.

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3.3 Delivering Benefits to the Community Well planned and designed greenspaces together with good quality sports and recreational facilities can play a major part in improving people's sense of well being in the place they live. As a focal point for community activities, they can bring together members of communities and provide opportunities for volunteering.

Path poorly overlooked, with dense overhangin g vegetation. Screen fence obtrusive in l andscape and could be subject to anti-social behaviour.

Path overlooked by housing and suf ficiently open to allow long views. Trees close to path to have clear stem to 2m.

Path obs cured with d e n s e o v e r h a n g i n g vegetation. Litter and fly tipping impact upon the environment and sense of safety

Open entrances into network

Design Criteria Safe and welcoming with good levels of natural surveillance. Design principles: • The desig n should aim to follow publis hed standards and guide lines,

including PAN 77 “Designing Safer Places” and “Secured by Design”. • Entrances to sites and paths should be open and legible. • Where possible routes should b e overlooked by build ing frontages and

from adjacent roads. • Routes within networks should follow direct desire lines linking clear

places where people want to go. • Routes should be well maintained and kept free of vandalism, fly

tipping and graffiti. • Main routes through the network should be lit. • Spaces ne arby to housing and community facilities, such as schools

should be designed to encourage sense of community ownership and provide defensible space.

Applicable typography:

Good practice: • Careful design and prioritising of entrances into network. • Consideration of management and maintenance of Green Network

from outset – ensuring that, for example species selected ar e appropriate for location without requiring onerous maintenance to retain visibility where required.

• Achieving a balance between creating attractive and sheltered sp aces that people want to use and allowin g appropriate levels of natural surveillance.

Poor practice: • Location of likely congregation spac es in areas remote or heavily

screened from housing or transport network. • Over emphasis in p roviding clear views through the site to the

detriment of landscape quality – an overly open / sterile site will discourage use of network.





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3.4 Attractive and Appealing Places

Design Criteria Part of the wider landscape structure and setting, connect ing to wider Green Network. Design principles: • Where possible existing distinctive l andscape features should be retained and

utilised within the design. • Network should ass ist in providing a landscape framework which provides a n

appropriate setting for the development within the wider landscape. • Design should relate to existin g SLC strategies an d plans such as Local

Biodiversity Action Plan and Greenspace Strategy. • Use of ap propriate native species found either on site or within the ov erall

setting and context of the site. • Selective use of non-native species wher e such species are found either within

the site or its setting and have an appropria te context. An exam ple of this may be the use of beech as a hedge or boundary treatment, where there is a c lear historic context for its use.


Good practice: • Design of greenspac es should f orm seamless integration with wider landsc ape

and Green Network. • The identification and retention of key landscape features and patterns. • Consideration of Green Network at outset of design. • Design detailing consistent with wider landscape. Poor practice: • Disjointed landscape design wit h poor vis ual an d physical co nnections to the

wider landscape structure and Green Network. • Design detailing in terms of planti ng and hard works unref lective of wid er

landscape context.

Overview of typical site and wider landsc ape cont ext indicating existing landscape structure, established uses and connections

High quality, well des igned and maintained greenspac es help create urban environm ents that are attracti ve, clean, safe and appe aling to all. Well pla nned and actively m anaged green places help define the image and identity of towns , appealing to local people, visitors and promoting quality business environments for people for social interaction.





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3.4 Attractive and Appealing Places

Design Criteria Sense of distinctive local identity with memorable places. Design principles: • Where possible existing landsca pe patterns such as shelterbelt s

should be retained and reflected through the design. • Where possible e xisting species should be reflected within

proposed planting. • Design should cons ider and utilise e xisting topography to help

create a distinctive sense of place. • Design should aim to incorporate existin g landscape detaili ng

and reflect existing, local construction materials. • Where possible identifiable po pular functions within t he Green

Network, such as public parks should be located where the landscape is most distinctive or has the most scope for positive intervention to create memorable places.

Applicable typology:

Good practice: • Inclusion of bespoke detailing which reflects local characteristics

and materials. • Creation of distinctive planting palettes to enhance qualities of

key locations and spaces within network. Poor practice: • Network designed without a clear diversity of spaces suitable for

a range of functions. • The use of standardised materials or standardised designs – for

example “off the shelf” play areas.

Analysis of site to identify key landscape features and opportunities for Green Network.

Existing typical hard and soft detailing could inform the detailed design process





High quality, well des igned and maintained greenspac es help create urban environm ents that are attracti ve, clean, safe and appe aling to all. Well pla nned and actively m anaged green places help define the image and identity of towns , appealing to local people, visitors and promoting quality business environments for people for social interaction.

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3.4 Attractive and Appealing Places High quality, well designed and maintained greenspaces help create urban environments that are attractive, clean, safe and appealing to all. Well planned and actively managed green places help define the image and identity of towns , appealing to local people, visitors and promoting quality business environments for people for social interaction.

Design Criteria Attractive plants and landscape elements. Design principles: • Planting plans shou ld include stat ements regarding philosophy of

planting design. • Use of specimen tree planting in key locations such as public parks ,

major footpaths, greenspace entry poin ts to engender sense of quality and to allow form of specimens to be appreciated.

• Consideration within planting design of seasonal interest, to encourag e regular use and enhanced enjoyment of greenspace.

• Planting to be carefully associated with landscape features such as burns or SUDS ponds.

• Limited and targeted use of appropri ate non-native ornamental species where their inclusion can be justified in terms of specific site context.

• Use of pla nting that reflects and strengthens the existing la ndscape character – eg. hedge planting that relates to existing boundaries.


Good practice: • Use of native bulbs within woodland edges to increase biodiversity an d

seasonal interest. • Use of well loved native and non-native species which have a historical

or cultural resonance in appropriate locations. • Consideration as to how other la ndscape elements, such as water can

be enhanced by careful design and use of planting. • Consideration for maintenance and management regime. Poor practice: • Use of non -native species in in appropriate locations s uch as marginal

planting to SUDS ponds. • Lack of consideration of seasonal interest. • Lack of consideration of maintenance and management in retaining the

attractive elements of the design, for example pruning regim es for shrubs or effective maintenance to retain a wild flower meadow.

• Lack of cohesive planting themes or strategies.

Typical block of woodland planting





Landscape enhanced by the introduction of native bulb planting and use of specimen trees outwith woodland block.

Use of native, flowering species can introduce seasonal interest and add a visually attractive element to the landscape.

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3.4 Attractive and Appealing Places High quality, well designed and maintained greenspaces help create urban environments that are attractive, clean, safe and appealing to all. Well planned and actively managed green places help define the image and identity of towns , appealing to local people, visitors and promoting quality business environments for people for social interaction.

Design Criteria Attractive, positive setting for urban areas. Design principles: • Where possible urban areas s hall be well c onnected to the

Green Network. • Higher den sity housin g is like ly to be more appropriate as

frontage to open space. • Local centre facilities and school should include frontage onto

greenspace. • Scale of Green Network should be appropria te to the scale of

buildings, with larger and taller buildings requiring additiona l width of greenspace.

• Urban areas should have goo d access links to the overall Green Network.

• The recreational needs of urban areas should be identified and accommodated within the adjacent Green Network.

• The design of the setting should ta ke cognis ance of expectations of well maintain ed landscape adjacent to urban areas.


Good practice: • Maintenance of areas fully considered within management

plan. • Use of planting which has ornamental elements, but provides

some shared characteristics with the overall landscape structure.

Poor practice: • Lack of sense of ownership for greenspace adjacent to urban

areas. • Greenspaces on the periphery of housing developm ents not

well connected to the Green Network.

Housing with frontage onto open space, suf ficient width to provide an appropriate setting and the creation of accessible informal recreation / play space.





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3.4 Attractive and Appealing Places High quality, well des igned and maintained greenspaces help create urban environments that are a ttractive, clean, safe and appe aling to all. Well plann ed and actively managed green places help define the image and identity of towns , appealing to local people, visitors and promoting quality business environments for people for social interaction.

Design Criteria Appropriate lighting levels. Design principles: • Develop a strategy for lighting within the Green Network. • The design requires to balance increase d use of the Green

Network through lig hting and th e potential env ironmental consequences of lighting such as energy consumption, impact on nocturnal species such as bats and light pollution.

• Main routes are to be identified and lit to an adoptable standard. • Design should take cognisa nce of current guidelines , includin g

PAN 77 a nd Scottish Government guidance “Con trolling ligh t pollution and reducing lighting energy consumption”.

• Planting should be designed to avoid impacting upon light levels. Applicable typography:

Good practice: • Use of lig hts which focus beam downwards towards areas

requiring to be lit. • Ensuring entrances are well lit and welcoming. Poor practice: • Lack of consideration of poten tial for lighting demand in the

future – w hich could result in lighting being added into the network in an ad hoc basis.





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3.5 Accessible Green Network Local networks of high quality greenspace, in the right place and easily accessible increase use and enjoy ment by local people and visitors. Networks of greenspace promote more sustain-able development by ensuring that community facilities, greenspace, sports and recreational facilities are easily accessible by walking and cycling.

Design Criteria Accessible entrances in the right places. Design principles: • The Green Network requires to connect people with

places they want to go in a welcoming and direct manner. • Where possible entr ances sho uld be wide and allow

views into the network. • The use of physical barriers such as gates or sti les

should be discouraged. If a r equirement for them can be demonstrated then they should be desig ned to allo w for disability access, cycles etc.

• Entrances to the Green Network should take cognisanc e of topography to avoid the use of steps or steep grades.

• Access from housing areas should be designed to minimise distance travelled to entrances for the ma jority of homes.

• Meets Dis ability Dis crimination Act requirements and disabled user needs.


Good practice: • High lev els of natural su rveillance from adjoining

properties and roads. • Signage / features at entrances. • Consideration of the sometimes differing needs of

cyclists and pedestrians in accessing the network. • Consideration of links into wider network. Poor practice: • Insufficient space associated with entry. • Direction and quality of route not clearly identifiable from

the entrance

Entrance narrow , uninviting and poorly located for the majority of houses.

Wide inviting entrance easily accessible to the majority of houses and responds to desire lines.





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3.5 Accessible Green Network Local networks of high quality greenspace, in the right place and easily accessible increase use and enjoyment by local people and visitors. Networks of greenspace promote more sustain-able development by ensuring that community facilities, greenspace, sports and recreational facilities are easily accessible by walking and cycling.

Design Criteria Provides surfaced, fit for purpose paths. Design principles: • Create a hierarchical path netwo rk with main routes designed t o

adoptable standards. • Design footpaths to minimise po tential of denigration throug h

water run-off or vegetation encroachment. • Use of more low key self binding materials would be appropriat e

for less tra fficked routes. Careful consideration should be giv en to location and gradients to ensure durable design.

• Use of locally sourced materials can help create sense of identity.


Good practice: • Footpath slightly rais ed to r educe surface water and improve

durability. • Width of routes appropriate to anticipated use. • Design to be specific to individual site conditions. • Wide verges to allow for forward visibility. • Use of SUDS principles to improve drainage. • Good maintenance provision. Poor practice: • Use of materials with onerous maintenance requirements. • Use of non bituminous materials for paths with steep grades. • Planting of vigorous woody plants adjacent to path. • Poor alignment choice, not re sponsive to desire lines an d

gradients. • No long term maintenance provision.

Typical cross section for main footpaths.

Lit footpath with wide maintainable verges.





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3.6 Biodiverse Greenspaces Greenspaces in urban areas perform vital functions as areas for nature conservation and biodiversity and by acting as 'green lu ngs' can assist in m eeting objectives to improve air quality. Linked greenspace networks act as wildlife corridors, promoting species movement as part of the wider greenspace framework linked to the countryside.

Design Criteria Contributes positively to biodiversity. Design principles: • Take cognisance of relevant guidelin es including “Scotland’s Biodiversity –

its in your hands” Scottish Government (May 2004). • Maximise opportunities for habitat creation within green network. • Apply Integrated Habit at Network (IHN) model to inform location of habitat

creation. • Management of drainage according to SUDS principles. • Take fully cognisance of individual site attributes – soils, drainage, existing

vegetation, topography. • Consideration of management, including who will undertake the work, from

the outset to ensure habitats formed are sustainable. • Identify, retain and enhance existing habitats of importance. • Design landscape to ensure that habita ts offer opportunities for educatio n

and under standing a nd therefore are viewed positively by the local community.

• Presumption, unless o ther over ri ding factors, of planting of native specie s in groupings and associations responsive to site and locality.


Good practice: • Utilising SUDS detailing to create a wide diversity of w etland habitats such

as water meadows. • Include int erpretation within the site to assist in the understand ing of the

qualities of the landscape. • Utilising IHN model. • Viable long term maintenance and management plan. Poor practice: • The creation of habitat areas which ar e difficult to sustain without onerous

maintenance. • The clearance of existing habitats of value. • The lack of a viable long term maintenance and management plan. • Tokenism – the creation of small un connected ”habitat” areas and would

be difficult to sustain.

Process for ensuring Green Network contributes positively to biodiversity. Public parks Green corridors




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3.6 Biodiverse Greenspaces Greenspaces in urban areas perform vital functions as areas for nature conservation and biodiversity and by acting as 'green lu ngs' can assist in m eeting objectives to improve air quality. Linked greenspace networks act as wildlife corridors, promoting species movement as part of the wider greenspace framework linked to the countryside.

Design Criteria Functional to sustain wildlife populations and offer habitat diversity. Design principles: • The development of a biodiver sity plan for the whole Green

Network area, based on the IHN model. • The functional linking of spac e through wide, green habitat

corridors. • The correlation between lands cape habitat size and specie s

requirements has to be identified and sites designed accordingly. • The inclus ion of large and broad green spaces and, where

applicable wide riparian corridors, as the core to ecologic al networks. Where possible these should be adjoining.

• Provision of links to habitat s beyond the proposed green network.


Good practice: • Creation o f well con sidered li nked hierar chy of appropriate

spaces. • Address habitat fragmentation. Poor practice: • “Tokenistic” habitat creation unable to sustain adequat e

populations of targeted species. • Over reliance on narrow wildlife c orridors beneficial to only some

species.

Example of IHN Model to demonstrat e Green Network of spaces to sust ain wildlife populations and of fer habitat diversity.

Ditches to field boundaries have the potential to be developed to increase habitat potential and link to wider corridors.

The development of a wide habitat corridors and associated open space.





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3.6 Biodiverse Greenspaces

Design Criteria Balance between habitat protection and access. Design principles: • Consider good practice available such as “Public Acc ess and

Land Management” SNH 2007. • Production of a biodiversity pl an encompassing the whole of the

proposed Green Network, based on IHN model. • Analysis of habitat type to gain understanding of form of impac t

of access – e.g. Whether it is trampling pressure, noise, drainage etc.

• Use of low impact design so lutions (such as boardwalks in wetland habitat areas) when accessing areas of habitat interest.

• Use of interpretation to encourage responsible access. • Design routes to avoid known br eeding / nesting areas sensitive

to disturbance. Applicable typography:

Good practice: • Create a series of site specific designs which include avoidance

of damage to habitats and means to mitigate impact of access. This could include s imple techniques such as the use of path materials, location and elevation of adjacent routes.

Poor practice: • Design of path networks which ci rcumvent sensitive areas but

leave identifiable desire lines through sensitive areas. • Over protection of habitat re duces potential for positive

engagement with the landsca pe and understanding of the value of the asset.

• The provision of fencing to prevent all access.

Whilst footpath has been des igned to avoid sensitive habitat there is a clear desire line es tab l ished between entrance and destination

Use of boardwalks to protect sensitive sites Use of low key interpretation to encourage understanding of habitat

Greenspaces in urban areas perform vital functions as areas for nature conservation and biodiversity and by acting as 'green lu ngs' can assist in m eeting objectives to improve air quality. Linked greenspace networks act as wildlife corridors, promoting species movement as part of the wider greenspace framework linked to the countryside.





Consideration of location of entrance and destination avoids potential for trampling pressure on existing habitat. Carefully s i ted in te rpre ta t ion inc reases understanding of habitat

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3.7 Promoting Activity, Health and Wellbeing Greenspaces, sports and recreational facilit ies have a vital role to play in prom oting active and healthy lifesty les, preventing illness and in the social dev elopment of children of all ages. Quality greenspaces and facilities that meet the needs and expectations of all ages and abilities encourage play, sporting activities and interaction with others.

Design Criteria Providing places for social interaction. Design principles: • Creation of high quality spaces suitable for congregation. • Design of well connected footpa th network to allow for informal

social interaction. • Facilities related to Green Ne twork to face into and be

accessible to greenspace - for example allotments. • Provide a range of places approp riate to identified loc al need –

for example open space suita ble for events adjacent to a community centre, habitat creat ion with s uitable interpretation adjacent to schools.

• Provide places suitable for congregation, resting and seating. Applicable typography:

Good practice: • Provision of open space with def ined function ad jacent to

housing. • Creation of high quality parkland with identifiable attractors such

as high la ndscape q uality or play facilities in locatio ns centra l and accessible to main housing areas.

Poor practice: • Fragmented and complex route system likely to reduce potential

for informal social interaction. • Poor relationship bet ween prop osed cong regation spaces and

housing / desire line routes.





Factors which contribute towards creating a successful, well used congregation space.

Factors which contribute towards creating routes through the Green Network where positive social interaction is more likely to occur.

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Design Criteria Provides appropriately sited high quality facilities for a range of ages and activities. Design principles: • Ensure that existin g recreation within the proposed greenspac e

is considered and opportunities for improvement identified. • Ensure facilities are s ited where people are like ly to need them

and where their use can be comb ined wit h another use (for example locating play space close to housing within an identified route to school).

• Ensure tha t the siting of facilitie s contributes positive ly to the overall landscape character of the Green Network.

• Ensure that key facilities are accessible via the Green Networ k footpath system.

• Ensure that the Green Network i s sufficiently flexible to allow for future change and exp ansion of faci lities as community priorities evolve.

• Ensure facilities are designed to appropriate best practice guidance.


Good practice: • Ensure that all ages and abilities are catered for within the Green

Network – for example the provision of “green gyms” aimed at older people could be considered.

• Monitor and review the success of the provision of facilities an d engage the community to ensure their needs are met.

Poor practice: • Provision of facilities which do n ot relate to the overall landscape

character or are not directly accessible from the Green Network.





Take cognisance of existing recreational activity – for example horse riding and cycling

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Design Criteria Provides places for a range of outdoor activities with diverse play, sport and recreational opportunities. Design principles: • The desig n should t ake cognis ance of recognised guideline s

such as P AN 65 Planning and Open Space and Fields in Trust “Planning and Design for Outdoor Sport”.

• The desig n should take cognisance of South Lan arkshire Councils guidance on play provision.

• Formal sport and play facilities sh ould be fully integrated into th e wider Green Network to maximise opportunities for associat ed informal play and recreation and to encourage green transport options.

• The opportunities for informal play within th e landsca pe should be clearly demonstrable.

• A strategy for play should be site specific. • Consideration should be given to the Disability Discrimination Act

to ensure play, sport and recreat ional opportunities are designed to be inclusive.


Good practice: • Provide a range of recreational ac tivities associated with the

larger spaces required for sports and play. • Ensure play is not only provided close to housing but also relates

to desire line routes to destinations such as shops and schools. Poor practice: • Equipped, closely fenced play areas which do not rel ate to the

wider landscape or provide opportunities for informal play.





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3.8 Sustainably Managed Green Network Sustainable management is a key element in creating greenspaces that are fit for purpose and continue to deliver long term benefits to communities through all stages of the establish ment and the long-term management of the green network asset.

Design Criteria Designed to enable good quality, sustainable maintenance. Design principles: • Footpath surfaces should be cons tructed of durable materials

with low maintenance requirements. • Green Network should be readily accessible for maintenanc e

operations. • A maintenance and management plan should be provided

which takes a hierarchical approach to maintenance wit h landscape requiring high maintenance being targeted.

• Design should encour age active community use and allo w for natural su rveillance to engend er sense of owners hip an d reduce the potential for vanda lism and fly-tipping whic h have onerous maintenance implications.

• Applicable typology:

Good practice: • Careful specification of hard and soft landscape works to

improve potential of successful establis hment and reduce requirement for regular interventions.

• Identification of sufficient funding at project inception to pay for long term maintenance and unexpected incidences.

• A flexible management plan wh ich allows for review and amendments to maintenance regime.

• Systems to monitor long term maintenanc e requirements and successes.

Poor practice: • Creation of greenspace without an identified purpose or sense

of ownership. • Capital spending on projects without the identification of

adequate revenue funding.

Planting type Risks Management of Risks Specimen Trees

Non-removal of tree protection, competing weed growth. Bio-degradable ties

Non-treated stakes Long lasting bio-degradable mulch

Woodland structure

Non-removal of tree protection, competing weed growth Lack of thinning

Degradable tree protection Use of large percentage shrubby nurse species Careful consideration of appropriate spacing (species dependant)

Ornamental shrub / herbaceous planting Lack of pruning

Competing weed growth Gaps within design

Careful selection of appropriate locations Use of species which do not require regular pruning Careful selection of mulch materials to ensure spread of mat forming species is not inhibited Close spacing at planting.

Wild flower meadows Competition from coarse grasses Ensure proposed areas have impoverished soils Remove clippings

Wetland habitats Competition from coarse grasses Ensure proposed areas have impoverished soils Manage land that runs into wetlands to minimise nitrate run-off

Sustainable management requires a comprehensive, flexible and realistic management plan

Careful specification choices to manage risks associated with planting and habitat establishment





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3.8 Sustainably Managed Green Network Sustainable management is a k ey element in creating greenspac es that are fit for purpose and continue to deliver long term benefits to communities thro ugh all stages of the establish ment and the long-term management of the green network asset.

Design Criteria Community involvement in management. Design principles: • Creation of spaces adjacent to and with clear equitable

association with hous ing to assis t sense of ownership of green spaces.

• Creation of spaces associated with hou sing or community facilities with a strong purpose and function.

• Establish f actoring agreements which inc lude requir ement for residents involvement in management decisions.

• Consider where Lo cal Author ity or other public agency management may be appropriate as a mea ns to facilit ate future community involveme nt as community becomes develops an d established.


Good practice: • Design of flexible spaces and landscapes together with a flexible

management strategy. • Inclusion of uses such as allo tments at the outset to foster

community interest and inv olvement in Green Netwo rk management.

• Support/ facilitate community “Friends of…” or management groups, if applicable.

Poor practice: • Development of an overly prescr iptive landscape style which

offers little opportunity for future community engagement.

Association between housing and open space poor - reduces lik elihood of community involvement in management.

Association between housing and open space good and equitable - increases likelihood of community invo lvement in management.

There are several strands required to promote the potential for community i n v o l v e m e n t i n management in the short, mid and long term.





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3.8 Sustainably Managed Green Network Sustainable management is a k ey element in creating greenspac es that are fit for purpose and continue to deliver long term benefits to communities thro ugh all stages of the establish ment and the long-term management of the green network asset.

Design Criteria Resource efficient and sustainable. Design principles: • Where po ssible retain existing so ils a nd minimise disturbance to

existing habitats and landscapes. • Source construction materials locally , utilising recycled materials, such

as aggregates where possible. • Design should consider:

• life expectancy of all materials selected • encourage effective lower maintenance solutions • recycling cuttings and trimmings from maintenance works

• Design should attempt to minimise issues associated with vandalism, fly tipping and misus e by creating sense of community ownership and allowing natural surveillance of key areas.

• Sustainable use of financ ial res ources/ development of appropriat e management systems to ensure longevity of the greenspace resource.


Good practice: • Preparation of a management plan which include s life costs for

elements of the design. • Encourage conditions where desir able natural regenerat ion of habitat

can occur. • Create welcoming spaces to promote sense of ownership. • Use of easily maintainable, durable, locally sourced materials. • Water management including rain water harvesting where appropriate. • Ensure financial or robust mechanism for long term revenue funding for

maintenance operations. Poor practice: • Creation of large scale landscapes r equiring high levels of intervention

to maintain. • Use of materials with a short life expectancy. • Production of materials from design or maintenance that require to be

tipped off site.

To be a resource ef ficient Green Netw ork requires consideration of how and where that netw ork is construct ed, how it is managed and what it provides to users.





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3.8 Sustainably Managed Green Network

Design Criteria Naturalistic form of SUDS design. Design principles: • SUDS ponds and wetlands sho uld be des igned to respond to

site topography and scale to ensure th at they sit comfortably into the landscape.

• Recontouring around SUDS ponds should avoid over “engineered” slopes of even grades and avoid straight lines.

• Consideration of how the lar ger landscape can accommodate water with a hierarchical approach to SUDS.

• Minimisation of use or visual impact of engineered features suc h as chambers and head walls.

• Inclusion where pos sible of la rger water bodies which may be less susceptible to large fluctuations in water levels.

• Designed to encourage edge and emergent planting. Applicable typography:

Good practice: • Diversity of approach responsive to site characteristics. • Allow space for wetland character and transition into wide r

landscape. • Design and location of features to try and avoid use of fencin g

and barriers. • Design to maximise potential for planting – use of native species. • Interpretation to improve understanding of habitats. Poor practice: • Repetition of form of SUDS features. • Lack of consideration of visu al appearanc e of SUDS feature s

when free of water.

Fenced SUDS ponds relate to housing areas are of similar size and shape, require engineered embankments and relate poorly to site and topography.

SUDS ponds and wetlands designed to respond to site topography , provide diversity and integrate positively into greenspac e network.

Unscreened chambers d i s t rac t from appearanc e of SUDS pond

SUDS pond and wetland responds to site topography integrates into wider lands cape and provides species diversity.

Sustainable management is a key element in creating greenspaces that are fit for purpose and continue to deliver long term benefits to communities through all stages of the establish ment and the long-term management of the green network asset.





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3.8 Sustainably Managed Green Network Sustainable management is a key element in creating greenspaces that are fit for purpose and continue to deliver long term benefits to communities through all stages of the establish ment and the long-term management of the green network asset.

Design Criteria Provides diversity of SUDS design. Design principles: • Design in accordance with best practice guidelines, issued by

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Constructi on Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA).

• Create a variety of SUDS solutions to respond to site character and water quality.

• Utilise different sized and sh aped water bodies to encoura ge biodiversity and help create a posit ive and distinctiv e landscap e setting.


Good practice: • Creation of ponds and wetland areas that respond sensitively to site

topography and landscape character. • Use of shallow swales at edge of footpaths. • Design to maximise habitat qualitie s and contribute positively to the

visual and recreational environment. Poor practice: • Standardised, over engineered designs and details. • Use of fencing to segregate ponds from adjacent landscape. • Lack of integration of design and associated planting with character

of associated landscape.

Hierarchy of SUDS solutions- Successful SUDS proposal s are likely to include a broad selection of design solutions, selected to provide diversity and be appropriate to individual sites.





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4.0 QUALITY TEST

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4.0 QUALITY TEST 4.1 Quality Assessment Tool Testing Green Network Quality This section of the guide sets out a methodology for testing the quality of the proposed Green Network. Each of the si x design themes explor ed in Section 3.0 are represented by a number of criteri a, forming the basis of the quality test. Each of the qu ality criteria have been examined to establis h a standar d for assessment of any particular development, in terms of its compliance with that standard. Due the varied nature/ type of greenspaces, not all of the criteria will be relevant to every site. Design proposals should be assessed agains t eac h of the design criteria and then allocated a rating of high, medium, low or not applic able. Thes e ratings can then be reviewed, giving an overall pic ture of the standard of the pr oposals together with identification of specific areas that may require addressing. The assessment should be recorded as a table as shown below:

This table should b e populated using relev ant criteria from Section 3.0. The themes and criteria should be ass essed by c omparison with the inf ormation provided in sections 1- 3 of this document. Assessment comments and iss ues arising should reflect the commentary / guidance shown in table 4.2 fo llowing, together wit h the reviewers own thoughts and considerations in relation to the wider guidance referred to in this document. In reviewing and commenting upon a s pecific development proposal, it is intended that reference be made to the design quality gu idance in this doc ument, with subsequ ent rating of the individual criteria generated by specific references to table 4.2 The table should be sized to allow full an d appropriate written commentary to be made within the columns. • Assessment Comments Opportunity to pass comment upon t he amount and suitability of information provided, the degree to which it matches the theme req uirements, and any n otable gaps in the information. • Issues and Recommendations Notes inser ted in this column should represent specific require ments and design development needs, expressed in a manner that will iden tify particula r actions to amend design/ masterplan. • Rating Through professional judgement and the foregoing assessment the reviewe r should assign a rating to each theme/criteria of high, mid or low in accordance with descriptions in table 4.2. The overall assessment of the developmen t proposals will be made on the basis of both the written notes and the high/ medium/ lo w rating allocated to each cr iterion. It will be necessary to establis h or understand baseline re quirements for each of the criteria for each project or development proposal. The baseline criteria shall be es tablished by South Lanarkshire Counc il with appropriate dialogue with the project architect / developer. The identification of low scoring elements indicates particular weaknes ses in the proposals while the themes attracting midr ange scores will require further consideratio n and possible design modifications . Any specif ic requirements would be set out within the table. It sh ould be noted that all of the design cr iteria are inter-re lated, and that a ‘high’ rating against a single criteria at any point the review process does not then result in there being no need for further consideration of that matter.

Theme Criteria (from table 3.1)

Assessment Comments

Issues & Recommendations

Score




Biodiverse Greenspaces



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Theme Criteria High Mid

Low


Establish greenspace that is fit for purpose, appropriately located and delivers benefits across the community.

Provides a contiguous high quality appropriately located network with strong links well connected, to communities within and beyond the CGAs.

Provides a good quality, connected network accessible by all communities within and beyond the CGAs.

Inadequate greenspace with fragmented structure and inconsistent quality of linkages to communities within and beyond the CGAs.

Good routes to community facilities and transport nodes.

Provides strong, contiguous and legible desire line connections to infrastructure

Provides reasonable connections to infrastructure with limited compromises apparent.

Provides limited connections to infrastructure with routes fragmented or desire lines unresolved.

Safe and welcoming with good levels of natural surveillance.

Site is welcoming through positive design measures and offers strong natural surveillance in accordance with ‘Secure by Design’ principles

Site generally overlooked and welcoming with entrance offering reasonable natural surveillance.

Entrances devoid of positive design measures and site and entrance offers only very limited natural surveillance.


Part of the wider landscape structure and setting connecting to wider green network

A key part of a wider network and setting

Contributes to the wider network and landscape character areas.

Poorly connected and with limited positive contribution to the larger landscape setting.

Sense of distinctive local identity with memorable places

Creates high quality and distinctive sense of place that supports and reflects local character.

Contributes to sense of place and local identity.

Offers few qualities that could be regarded as distinctive or memorable.

Attractive plants and landscape elements

Offers attractive, well considered plant assemblages that support place quality and character.

Offers a reasonable quality of plant assemblages, but with some identifiable opportunities for improvement within the design.

Generally poorly conceived, limited or inappropriate planting or landscape design.

Attractive, positive setting for urban areas

Contributes significantly to the quality, character and setting of the proposed urban area.

Contributes to quality but the profile of network within proposed urban areas limits the capacity for positive impact.

Does little to support place quality by reason of location or quality of network design.

Appropriate lighting levels

Appropriate lighting throughout site with no unresolved issues.

Appropriate light levels to entrances and main routes with only minor unresolved issues.

Lighting design poor and restrictive.


Accessible entrances in the right places.

Entry points well placed and accessible to encourage safe access and use.

Entrances satisfactory

Entrances poor by reason of siting, safety and connections to communities.

Provides surfaced, fit for purpose paths

Appropriate path surface in all locations

Appropriate path surface in most locations but with some unresolved issues

Inappropriate selection of materials for location, topography or level of use.

4.2 Green Network Assessment Criteria

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Theme Criteria High Mid

Low

Biodiverse Greenspaces Contributes positively to biodiversity

Biodiversity issues are clearly and positively addressed within the design

Biodiversity contributes to site through retention of semi-natural elements but little evidence of further positive reinforcement.

Biodiversity opportunities within site have not been adequately realised within the design.

Functional to sustain wildlife populations and offer habitat diversity

Site strongly supports native populations by nature of appropriate size of space and associated corridors.

Site has potential to support some native populations but value is reduced by partial fragmentation of network.

Sites overly fragmented or with narrow connecting corridors with limited habitat value.

Balance between habitat protection and access

Clear balance evident, supported by interpretation and good path routing where appropriate.

Balance appears to be generally evident, but not supported by positive measures.

Habitats threatened by unresolved design issues


Providing places for social interaction

Offers good, well located, places and spaces designed to encourage congregation and use and positively supported by specific design elements.

Offers spaces for social activity.

Little evidence that social interaction has been adequately considered within design.

Provides appropriately sited high quality facilities for a range of ages and abilities

Provision of high quality appropriately sited facilities clearly reflecting needs.

Provides good quality facilities that generally reflect need.

Provides limited range of inappropriately sited facilities of poor quality.

Provides places for a range of outdoor activities with diverse play, sport and recreational opportunities

Provides for a diversity of activity reflecting user needs, location, and character of site.

Reasonable range of activity reflecting user needs, setting location and character of site.

Poorly located places which do not adequately reflect anticipated user need. or site context.


Designed to enable good quality sustainable maintenance

Well considered and structured management plan, with clearly identified management tasks delivered in a sustainable manner.

Good quality management plan with some aspects not fully resolved and some potential for improvements in sustainable practices.

Inadequate or unrealistic management plan displaying examples of poor, unsustainable management practices.

Community involvement in management

Clear opportunities demonstrated for community involvement in management from inception, together with design and infrastructure to facilitate substantial longer term community management.

Opportunities demonstrated within the design to encourage community involvement including limited infrastructure at outset.

Community involvement not adequately demonstrated within management plan.

Resource efficient and sustainable

Clear evidence of resource efficiency with regards to design and management.

Some evidence of resource efficiency with regards to design and management.

Evidence of inappropriate specification, design or proposed management in terms of resource

Naturalistic form of SUDS design

High quality design which responds to site to deliver naturalistic form which positively contributes to setting of network.

Good quality design which creates reasonably naturalistic form and relates adequately to setting.

Inappropriate form which appears overly engineered or relates poorly to setting.

Provides diversity of SUDS design

Provides a wide range of SUDS designs which contributes positively to the landscape and biodiversity of the network.

Provides a good range of SUDS solutions with some positive contribution to landscape and biodiversity.

Poor range of SUDS solutions with little positive contribution to network.

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south lanarkshire - green network design guidance

Documents

accessible green network

managed green network

large functional green

network of high quality

sustainable green networks

quality test

high quality greenspace

quality assessment tool