West Lothian Open Space Strategy

Interim Report

Appendix 1

by IronsideFarrar

April 2009 Open Space Strategy

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 The Open Space Audit and Strategy 1 1.2 National Policy Context 1 1.3 Review Process 2 1.4 Purpose of the Report 2

2.0 SUCCESSES AND ACHIEVEMENTS 3

2.1 Strategic Decision Making 3 2.2 Delivery of Open Space Upgrades 3 2.3 Partnership Working 4 2.4 Community Liaison 5

3.0 INVESTMENT IN OPEN SPACE 6

3.1 Capital Budgets 6 3.2 Revenue Budgets 6

4.0 IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF OPEN SPACE 7

4.1 Priority Action Projects 7 4.2 Quality Assessment 9 4.3 Quality Assessment tables 10

5.0 OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES LINKAGE 14

5.1 Best Value 14

6.0 CONCLUSION 14

April 2009 IronsideFarrar West Lothian Open Space Strategy

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Open Space Audit and Strategy

In 2005 West Lothian Council (NET’s & Land Services) responded to the requirement set out in National Planning Policy Guidance 11 Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space (replaced by Scottish Planning Policy 11: Open Space and Physical Activity) to carry out a study and analysis of West Lothian’s open spaces. The Open Space Audit formed the first stage of the Strategy. Consultants were engaged to quantify, map and qualitatively assess the open spaces of each of the 36 West Lothian settlements involving in excess of 750 sites over 0.2 hectares in size. Information on each of the 750 sites included in the audit was entered into an Access database, linked to a Geographical Information System (GIS) database. This open space audit formed the first stage in the systematic assessment, promotion and development of the open space resource within the Council area.

The Open Space Audit included an assessment of the overall accessibility, suitability, quality and quantity of open spaces currently available to communities and forecast future needs based on the councils draft Local Plan. The audit was guided by the categories of open space detailed within the Scottish Executives PAN 65 typology – parks and open spaces, amenity open spaces, green corridors, natural/semi-natural green spaces and other functional open spaces.

A Strategy and Action Plan was prepared to provide a strategic vision for the provision, regeneration, development and maintenance and management of open space within West Lothian for a period of ten years. The Strategy was approved by Committee in August 2005 and sets out the direction for West Lothian’s open space from mid 2005 – mid 2010.

1.2 National Policy Context

Since the adoption of the Open Space Strategy further revisions to government guidance have been implemented. NPPG 11 has been replaced with SPP 11 Open Space and Physical Activity (Nov 2007) and sets out the Scottish Government’s current policy. The key objectives of SPP11: Open Space and Physical Activity include a requirement of local authorities to undertake an open space audit and prepare an open space strategy. The policy emphasises the need for local authorities to take a strategic and long term view of open space and sports provision, ensuring that the current and future needs of communities are met.

PAN 65: Planning and Open Space was revised in May 2008 and underpins SPP11, providing detail on the requirement to produce and implement Open Space Strategies. Two new top level typologies have been added: 'allotments and "community growing spaces' and 'burial grounds', these were previously under 'other functional greenspace'.

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1.3 Review Process

SPP11 requires that the land use elements of the open space strategy should be fed into the statutory development plan. The strategy should be updated to inform future reviews of the development plan and reviewed on a regular 5 year cycle.

The Open Space Audit is due for review in 2010, to update the database to reflect the any changes / upgrades of the open space sites and review the priorities.

1.4 Purpose of the Report

Since 2005, a significant number of upgrades and investment has been made to a number of open space sites included in the audit. Capital funding has been secured through the Open Space Asset category of the Councils 10 year General Services Capital Programme (£27.59M). Some of these works are complete, others ongoing and others planned and in the process of being implemented. The change process has been rapid, making an interim review necessary to bring the Strategy up to date to enable the short term management of priority projects possible.

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2.0 SUCCESSES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

2.1 Strategic Decision Making

West Lothian’s open spaces are important townscape features of many towns and villages, integral to the character of these settlements. Conserving and improving the environment and open spaces is one of the core strategies in the Local Plan.

The Open Space Strategy is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications and has provided important information that has influenced the outcome of strategic land use decisions. The Strategy included a strategic assessment of open space need through the application of quality, quality and accessibility standards to identify deficiencies or excesses of open space. This assessment has enabled NET’s & Land Services to review planning applications and proposals for new development on existing open space in context of the findings of the Strategy. The GIS mapping and site audits provide an overview of the type, amount and quality of the open space resource in a particular settlement, which has informed decisions on the future development of particular sites.

Whilst the open space strategy is used at both operational and strategic decision making levels, its major contribution came at the recent local planning inquiry.

It’s most important relevance was demonstrated during the council’s local planning inquiry, which in effect helped to, clarify and underpinned the councils planning decision making processes. The decisions arrived at, by setting out clear principles and a framework of approach to determine the open space allocations, use or change of use in planning terms provided a sound assessment of need and use.

Assessments of such major developments over the past few years include the proposed Heartlands development, proposals for the new school and surrounding housing and the core development areas at Winchburgh and Armadale. These are just a small number of development proposals that range across the whole of the district.

2.2 Delivery of Open Space Upgrades

The overall vision set out in the Open Space Strategy was to seek to achieve:

“Fit for purpose open space assets that support high quality service delivery and meet the needs of our communities, whist minimising cost and future liability.”

The outcome of the Open Space Strategy identified a number of Priority Action Projects from across the West Lothian area, based on a combination of the site assessment scoring process and a broader understanding of the ‘bigger’ picture. 18No. projects were identified across the Council area. Out of these 18 projects, 9 have either been delivered or are ongoing and 7 projects have been programmed for potential spend in 2009/10 (£8.01M).

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The following settlements have benefited from significant open space upgrades: Addiewell, Bathgate, Blackburn, Craigshill (Livingston), (Livingston), Howden (Livingston), Ladywell (Livingston), Polbeth and Whitburn.

In addition to the implementation of the Priority Action Projects identified in the Strategy, 15No. projects have been completed or are ongoing in Dechmont, Greenrigg, Linlithgow, Craigshill (Livingston), Eliburn (Livingston), (Livingston), Loganlea, Philipstoun, Polbeth, Polkemmet, Seafield, Torphichen, West Calder and Whitburn.

The open space upgrades will have significantly improved the quality of open space provision in each of the settlements due to improved functionality, landscape quality and accessibility.

Details of the Priority Action Projects and other projects are provided in section 4 of the report.

2.3 Partnership Working

Understanding the type and quality of the open space portfolio and local needs has enabled NET’s & Land Services to work with strategic planning and property services to identify sites that form part of an asset improvement or strategic requirement to provide multi-functional community facilities. This has been taken forward in accordance with the Co-location Strategy, which aims to maximise land assets to service wider Service needs through consolidation. The partnership approach has brought together the provision of a community facility/ building (Education), sports provision (Sport & Leisure) and open space provision in a hub that serves a local community, meeting a variety of needs.

For example, Ladywell Park (Heatherbank) is a project that looks to maximise the various interests of the council through strategic coordination and use of the open space assets in this area.

The information provided by the Open Spaces Audit and Strategy has enabled NET’s & Land Services to work at a strategic level with both strategic planning and property services to identify non-strategic spaces or assets that may form part of an alternate use package that underpins the councils aim of making best use of their assets.

The Audit identified a number of poorly used spaces. NET’s & Land Services has undertaken an annual review of the open space portfolio to assess if any areas could be converted to another function to improve its value to open space or improved to meet a local need.

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2.4 Community Liaison

In late 2007 West Lothian Council appointed a Community Greenspace Officer to work with local communities in their open spaces. The Officer has undertaken the following activities that has stimulated interest and activities in the open spaces of West Lothian:

x Facilitated opportunities to develop Friends groups x Organising events (eg. Walking Weeks) x Consulting with users groups at one off events and community meetings x Created a focus for promotion of ‘Placemaking’ within communities

All of the open space upgrades listed in section 4 have included consultation with the local communities by the Greenspace Officer, NET’s & Land Services Officers and appointed consultants through a number of ways, including:

x Attendance at meetings with Community Councils x One to one meetings with community representatives x Consultation with Friends of the Park groups and other stakeholder groups x On site consultation with casual park users x Consultation with local members x The Citizens Panel

The redesign of Letham Park in Livingston is a good example of a West Lothian “success story”. The audit and identification of the park as a priority project in need of quality improvements through the Open Space Strategy process resulted in allocation of significant capital funding to provide much needed upgrades. Consultants were appointed to prepare masterplan proposals for the park, which were widely consulted on in the local area. Work to provide new play areas, car parking, amenity planting, drainage works, footpath networks and sports facilities was completed in 2009. Since then a Friends of Letham Park has been set up to oversee the use, management and development of the park.

A key ingredient of the upgrading and engagement with local communities is the facilitation and presence of bringing together other areas of the ‘Nets’ service. The advent of the grounds, cleansing and environmental warden teams coming together allows the council to provide a wide focus of service which can concentrate on helping the community groups to get the best use of their assets. Not only is this a win win situation for the council and the community, but also a healthy more sustainable contribution to the community’s life style.

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3.0 INVESTMENT IN OPEN SPACE

3.1 Capital Budgets

Current capital allocations have been provided by the council to Nets and Land services i.e. (£4.37M to deliver phase 1 of the open Space Strategy and £3.5M to deliver additional cemetery provision). These works are in some instances to address a need identified within the Open Spaces Strategy or policy. An example of this is the identification of the need for a district park at Eliburn, Livingston though a gap analysis.

A bid has been made to deliver phase 2 of the Open Space Strategy based on the outcomes of the Open Space Audit and in particular the need to provide communities with equality of access to the appropriate categories of open space as per PAN 65 requirements. A total of £19.63M has been identified through the SOBC process that brings together the asset management plan and the open space strategy assessments.

3.2 Revenue Budgets

Revenue budgets are held across nearly all services of the council for the upkeep and maintenance of ground related features, soft landscape areas and the clearance of litter and other items that might be of a transient nature.

At present Land Services operates on an available budget of approximately £11. million gross.

Although additional revenue funding would be beneficial to maintain the priority action project improvement works within localities, to ensure that the quality of the investment is protected, the council is not in a position to increase spend. The challenge for managers is to seek out ways to maximise resource allocations and to work with communities to focus spend and lever in additional partnership working when ever possible.

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4.0 IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF OPEN SPACE

4.1 Priority Action Projects

The outcome of the Open Space Audit was to produce a list of priority projects from across the West Lothian area. The prioritisation of the sites was based on a combination of the ‘Fit for Purpose’ site assessment scoring process and a broader understanding of the ‘bigger’ picture.

The following table lists the priority action sites recommended for early development in the Strategy Reports. Details of current activity and allocated spend are included.

Priority Action Projects Settlement Site Name Action Spend

Addiewell Meadowhead Crescent Drainage works, play area, youth £160k facilities and some environmental improvements Armadale Avondale Park Planning application to cap mine and £247k increase football and drain pitches. Bathgate Boghall Playing Fields Drainage works and sports pitch £100k Bathgate Balbardie Park New changing accommodation £800k Blackburn Murrayfield Park Planting, drainage works, tree planting, £100k path network and entrance features Blackridge Westrigg Park New changing pavilion and upgraded £200k pitch and park drainage Livingston - Craigshill Letham Park Sports pitch, car park, planting, play £289k areas, path network and environmental improvements Livingston - Craigshill Craigs Park Green Allocated spend in 2009/10 £50k Livingston - Craigshill Almond Park Allocated spend in 2009/10 £350k Livingston – Eliburn Eliburn District Park Football pitches, car park, club house, £2,110k changing facilities, toilets, path Joint Nets + Sport Proj. network, planting, play areas and weir Livingston - Craigshill Craigswood Sports New changing pavilion and upgraded £2,376 Centre pitch drainage Livingston - Howden Edmonton Green Drainage works, footpaths, kick pitch £70k and landscape planting Livingston - Ladywell Heatherbank Park Sports pitches, drainage works, major £98k + play facility and footpath network £200k Livingston - Lanthorn Allocated spend in 2009/10 £100k Longridge Longridge Park Allocated spend in 2009/10 £125k Polbeth Ennis Park Fencing works, environmental £70k improvements and safety measures Polbeth Limefield Park New changing pavilion and upgraded £712 pitches and park Whitburn Blaeberry Park Central Footpaths, signage and management £80k plan for the site Whitburn Blaeberry Park Central New changing pavilion £121k Total £8.358M Key: Black = Nets and Land Services Projects Blue = Out Door Recreation Project Red = Joint Out Door recreation and Nets Projects

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The following table lists the priority action sites from the asset management, openspace and outdoor sports facilities strategies that have been completed or are due for completion in 2009/10.

Additional Priority Action Projects Settlement Site Name Action Spend

Armadale Wood Park Park and pitch drainage, Pavilion £400k Bathgate Balbardie Park New 3G astroturf pitch £209k Broxburn Albyn park New changing pavilion and 3G £1,434k astroturf pitch Blackridge Bedlormie Park Small area of upgraded access paths £20k Dechmont Dechmont Park Play area upgrades £35k East Calder Redcraig Open Space Limited upgrade to area- plant / seats £35k Fauldhouse Caledonian Road Park Upgrade aspects within park area £70k Kirknewton Kirknewton Park Upgrade aspects within park area £40k Greenrigg Greenrigg Park Facilities upgrades, drainage works, £100k footpath network Linlithgow Mains/ Douglas Park Play area upgrades £20k Livingston Bankton Mains New 3G astroturf pitch £208k Livingston - Eliburn Peel Park Play area upgrades £35k Livingston – Mosswood Park Play area upgrades £80k Knightsridge Livingston – Mosswood CEC and Extending changing accommodation £600k Knightsridge Park and upgraded Park and football pitch drainage works Loganlea Loganlea Park Drainage works, MUGA pitch, £130k environmental improvements and path upgrades, bins and signage and store relocation. Philpstoun Philpstoun Park Play area upgrades £35k Polbeth Limefield Park Footpath network, play area, car park, £106k sports pavilion, sports pitches and drainage works Polkemmet Polkemmet Country Park Play area upgrades £200k Seafield Main Street Play area upgrades £50k Torphichen Torphichen Park Play area upgrades £50k West Calder West Calder Community Play area upgrades £35k Centre West Calder Parkhead Park Provide new upgraded Park £221k Whitburn Hunter Grove Park Play area upgrades £50k Total £4.163M

Key: Black = Nets and Land Services Projects Red = Joint Out Door recreation and Nets Projects Blue = Out Door Recreation Project

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4.2 Quality Assessment

The Open Space Audit included an assessment of the overall quality of each site, within the 36 settlements to assist the Council in its core task of providing best value and value management. The quality assessment was undertaken by giving each site a score between 1 and 5 (low to high) for each of the assessment categories, set out below:

x Function (diversity of use, legibility, adaptability, user value, accessibility) x Quality (entry points / barriers, material quality, character / identity, signage / interpretation, biodiversity interest, continuity / enclosure) x Condition (security / lighting, maintenance levels, areas of neglect, track / path condition)

The interim review of the West Lothian Open Space Strategy has included a review of the improvements to parks identified as Priority Projects. The table below sets out the environmental improvement works that have been implemented (or are in the process of being implemented) since 2004. The Quality Improvements column sets out the 2004 quality score for each site and the reassessment score.

The works to improve the 24 open spaces listed in the tables above have or will have significantly improved the quality of each site due to an improved functionality, landscape quality and accessibility. 26 out of the 35 major settlements in West Lothian have benefited from an improvement in their open space resource to date.

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4.3 Quality Assessment Table

Site Name Description Improvement Works Quality Improvements (since 2004) 2004 Score Mar 2009 Score (out of 25 per (out of 25 per category) category) Meadowhead Large area of grassed open The recent open space upgrades Function = 15 Function = 19 Crescent, space surrounded by houses include drainage works, installation of Condition = 13 Condition = 18 on all sides, with a number of a new play area, youth facilities and Addiewell Quality = 11 Quality = 20 access lanes between the some environmental improvements. (356102) houses. There is a perimeter The upgrades has significantly Total = 39/75 Total = 57/75 path and one crossing the site. improved the sites potential to become a well used open space in the heart of the community.

Boghall Large sports facility, providing Drainage works to the sports pitch and Function = 15 Function = 15 Playing Fields, football pitches located to the the provision of an additional sports Condition = 8 Condition = 12 north east of Boghall. A dense pitch will significantly improve the use Bathgate Quality = 11 Quality = 12 shelterbelt screens the pitches and function of the sports facility. The (33359) from the residential properties improved drainage will significantly Total = 34/75 Total = 39/75 to the south. There is a small improve the player experience and car park and storage facility in extend the use of the pitches. the NW corner of the site.

Murrayfield Large grassed area with Environmental upgrades include a new Function = 18 Function = 21 Park, football pitch and small areas asphalt footpath, resurfacing to Condition = 12 Condition = 22 Blackburn of mixed woodland and scrub. existing paths, drainage works, tree Quality = 14 Quality = 24 There is a path crossing the planting along paths, bulb planting, (354861) site, connecting to the wider wetland planting, installation of seats, Total = 44/75 Total = 67/75 path network throughout the signs, bins and redesigned entrances adjacent residential areas. (planting, hard surfacing, seats etc.). The site improvements will significantly improve the amenity, use and value of the open space.

Letham Park, Large area of open space to A masterplan was prepared for the Function = 19 Function = 25 Livingston the west of Craigshill. The site park and proposals refined through Condition = 10 Condition = 23 is accessed along a network of consultation with the local community (Craigshill) Quality = 11 Quality = 23 surfaced paths connecting to and nearby school. A ‘Friends’ group (354857) the wider path network was set up. Improvements include: Total = 40/75 Total = 71/75 through the adjacent sports pitches, car park upgrade, residential areas. The site had planting, play areas, path network and rather run-down facilities, environmental improvements. The including blaes pitch, tennis improvements have transformed the courts, planting and play park, making if fit for purpose and areas. providing a high quality park with facilities for all ages.

Eliburn Park, Large area of open semi-rural A masterplan was prepared for the Function = 16 Function = 25 Livingston open space consisting of 2 park and proposals refined through Condition = 10 Condition = 24 (Eliburn) large former agricultural fields. consultation with the local community. Quality = 21 Quality = 24 A network of formal paths and Once complete, the improvements will (356485) tracks link to the paths around provide a much needed District park, Total = 47/75 Total = 73/75 the reservoir to the south and providing a range of facilities for the the adjacent residential areas. wider catchment area. Improvements The site is bounded on all include: sports pitches, kick pitch, car sides by mature mixed park upgrade, pavilion, picnic area, woodland. planting, play areas (facilities for children of 3-18 years), path network and environmental improvements. A ‘Friends’ group was set up.

Edmonton Large park surrounded by Environmental upgrades include Function = 16 Function = 20 Green, houses and a school. The park drainage works to the existing play Condition = 13 Condition = 19 has boundary tree planting, ground, tree planting along paths and Livingston Quality = 12 Quality = 21 (Howden) open grassed areas and a around the new kick pitch, bulb play area to the west of the planting, installation of seats, bins and Total = 41/75 Total = 60/75 (355071) site. There is a surfaced path redesigned entrances with shrub beds. the crosses the site, linking to The site improvements will significantly the wider path network in the improve the amenity, use and value of adjacent residential areas. the open space for local people.

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Site Name Description Improvement Works Quality Improvements (since 2004) 2004 Score Mar 2009 Score (out of 25 per (out of 25 per category) category) Heatherbank Medium sized recreation The recent open space upgrades Function = 19 Function = 22 Park, ground surrounded on all include works to improve the sports Condition = 21 Condition = 23 Livingston sides by new housing pitches, drainage works, installation of Quality = 20 Quality = 21 (Ladywell) developments. There are two a major play facility and upgraded football pitches, play area, footpath network. Total = 60/75 Total = 66/75 (354851) basketball court and a strip of mature woodland. The footpaths around the periphery of the park connect to the surrounding residential areas.

Ennis Park, A new open space is in the A very uninteresting amenity Function = 11 Function = 19 Polbeth process of being created, greenspace, providing access to the Condition = 11 Condition = 18 adjacent to St Mary’s School, A71 from the residential area to the Quality = 10 Quality = 23 (Part of 31260) with its frontage along the north will be transformed through A71, the main road running landscape planting and improved Total = 32/75 Total = 60/75 through Polbeth. There is a access. The works will comprise: play area to the north, in the Safety fencing along the top of the school grounds. The site forms grassed slope to the east, drainage a strip of amenity grassed works, signage, bins, tree planting, space along a north south seats, bulb planting and small ramped path and a grassed area to the step access. west of the path.

Blaeberry Park Large informal / formal park The open space upgrades include Function = 18 Function = 23 Central, with community centre, half of drainage works, footpath resurfacing, Condition = 14 Condition = 18 which is used for sports interpretation signage and preparation Whitburn Quality = 17 Quality = 21 pitches, ball courts and skate of a management plan for the site (356574) ramp, and the other half is Total = 49/75 Total = 62/75 grassland and blocks of mixed woodland. The White Burn runs along the northern edge of the site. There is a network of paths and tracks around the site, linking to the wider path network and a play area in the south east corner of the site.

Dechmont Small park consisting mainly Works to improve the play area have Function = 19 Function = 20 Park, of a football pitch and a play been undertaken. Condition = 16 Condition = 17 Dechmont area, adjacent to a primary Quality = 19 Quality = 20 school. There are mature trees (356175) along the site perimeter and Total = 54/75 Total = 57/75 some ornamental tree and shrub planting along the road side.

Greenrigg Large area of grassed open The recent open space upgrades Function = 11 Function = 17 Park, space on the outskirts of a include creation of a surfaced circular Condition = 11 Condition = 20 Greenrigg residential area. The site is path, connecting to the wider path Quality = 10 Quality = 18 primarily used as a football network, seats, signage, drainage (354834) pitch, with a parking area to works, improved car park surface, tree Total = 32/75 Total = 55/75 the south. planting and general tidy up.

Douglas Park, Small park consisting of Works to improve the play area have Function = 14 Function = 15 Linlithgow limited play provision with an been undertaken. Condition = 14 Condition = 15 informal kick about area. Quality = 12 Quality = 14 (354931) Grass area with limited planting and trees. Total = 40/75 Total = 44/75

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Site Name Description Improvement Works Quality Improvements (since 2004) 2004 Score Mar 2009 Score (out of 25 per (out of 25 per category) category) Peel Park, Large park in the heart of Works to improve the play area have Function = 24 Function = 24 (Eliburn) Eliburn, surrounded on all sides been undertaken. Condition = 17 Condition = 19 by housing. The park contains Livingston Quality = 23 Quality = 23 the following facilities: open (355424) grassland, woodland areas, path Total = 64/75 Total = 66/75 network, viewpoint, formal gardens, play area, amenity tree and shrub planting, youth shelter, signage, benches and bins.

Mosswood Large park area with two pitches Works to improve the play area have 355915 355915 Park, and MUGA court area that are been undertaken and the Muga Function = 16 Function = 17 linked to the local community facility repaired. (Knightsridge) Condition = 15 Condition = 18 Livingston centre. The area also comprises The open space upgrades include the upgraded Vennie facility. Quality = 14 Quality = 17 drainage works. (355915 + Total = 45/75 Total = 52/75 354856) 354856 354856 Function = 19 Function = 22 Condition = 9 Condition = 15 Quality = 17 Quality = 21 Total = 45/75 Total = 58/75

Loganlea Park, Linear area of grassed open The park will be improved through Function = 17 Function = 22 Loganlea space along the southern works to upgrade the path surfaces, Condition = 11 Condition = 19 boundary of Loganlea Village. installation of MUGA pitch and a kick (33376) Quality = 16 Quality = 21 The site comprises: grassed pitch, drainage works, bins, signage, open space, youth shelter, tree management and tree planting. Total = 44/75 Total = 62/75 basketball hoop, football pitch, shelterbelt planting, MUGA pitch and woodland.

Philipstoun Well appointed park to the north Works to improve the play area have Function = 22 Function = 22 Park, of the village of Philipstoun. The been undertaken. Condition = 19 Condition = 20 Site consists of large open Philipstoun Quality = 19 Quality = 20 playing fields, children’s play (354912) area, boundary tree planting. Total = 60/75 Total = 62/75

Limefield Park, Large park to the south east of The amenity value of the park has Function = 20 Function = 22 Polbeth the town, adjacent to a been improved by the construction Condition = 19 Condition = 21 residential area and mixed of an additional surfaced path, a (355991) Quality = 17 Quality = 19 woodland along the river to the multi-use play area, works to south. The site consists of upgrade the car park, signage, Total = 56/75 Total = 62/75 football pitches, east to west seats, bins, new sports pavilion, path (key route to nearby sports pitch improvements and school), play area, tree and drainage works. shrub planting and boundary fencing.

Torphichen Large open recreational space Works to improve the play area have Function = 19 Function = 20 Park, with informal kick about area been undertaken. Condition = 14 Condition = 15 Torphichen and fenced play area. The park Quality = 15 Quality = 17 is surrounded on all sides by (354812) houses, with a community centre Total = 48/75 Total = 52/75 and school to the south. There are mature trees and beech hedges.

West Calder Large area of grassed open Works to improve the play area have Function = 13 Function = 17 Community space to the rear of the been undertaken. Condition = 6 Condition = 14 community centre and health Centre, West Quality = 13 Quality = 15 Calder (33373) centre. The site is adjacent to a new housing area. There is a Total = 32/75 Total = 46/75 small children’s play area, fenced tennis courts and a pitch.

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Site Name Description Improvement Works Quality Improvements (since 2004) 2004 Score Mar 2009 Score (out of 25 per (out of 25 per category) category) Parkhead Park, Provide new upgraded Park. Plans to establish a more rural type - - West Calder park setting, which could encompass large areas of tree planting in (New Site) conjunction with other government agencies to form a framework of specimen hardwood plantations mixed with semi natural / natural greenspaces and formal parkland.

Hunter Grove Large linear site stretching along Works to improve the play area have Function = 17 Function = 17 Park, Whitburn the southern edge of a housing been undertaken. Condition = 13 Condition = 15 estate at the SW of Whitburn. Quality = 18 Quality = 20 (354840) The site consists of woodland planting with areas of grassed Total = 48/75 Total = 52/75 open space, a sports pitch and small children’s play area.

5.0 OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES LINKAGE

5.1 Best Value

Works undertaken to improve any parks or open space facilities are done so on the basis of best value. This includes a key principle, which is crucial to partnership working whereby other council services are involved in identifying and coordinating other associated works together with Nets and Land services.

Key development objectives include integration of approach and service delivery to the benefit of the communities served. This can only be successful by bringing together those service areas who have a vested interest in the land assets managed by the council.

A prime example of this working relationship is work, to not only drain the parks but to also improve the drainage of the sports pitches within those parks. These works are also timed to try and meet certain windows of opportunity eg end of the football season thereby reducing prolonged periods of disruption. However there are some occasions when work will overrun or create disruption due to factors outwith the council’s control.

A number of projects undertaken, or in progress, lend themselves to this integrated working practise and can be recognised by staff and public alike.

6.0 Conclusion

The early approach, adopted by West Lothian Council in respect of developing openspace, sports facilities and asset management strategies has been recognised by other government and local authority agencies as innovative and best practise.

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Prime components that have brought about such acclaim are through integrated service working, process and technological change. The working group is also a fundamental component in ensuring that open spaces continue to be developed and to drive forward the projects that have been allocated capital funding.

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