Inverclyde Green Network Study
Prepared by Land Use Consultants for Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde, Communities Scotland and The GCV Green Network Partnership
December 2008
Inverclyde Green Network Study
Prepared for Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde, Communities Scotland and Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership by Land Use Consultants
December 2008
37 Otago Street Glasgow G12 8JJ Tel: 0141 334 9595 Fax: 0141 334 7789 [email protected]
CONTENTS
Executive Summary......
1. Introduction ...... 1 Inverclyde Today...... 1 New Developments...... 3 Project Aims...... 4 Methodology...... 5 Structure of the Report...... 5 2. The Importance of the Green network ...... 7 The National Agenda...... 7 The Inverclyde Context...... 8 The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network ...... 9 The GCV Green Network Partnership ...... 9 Conclusion...... 9 3. SWOT Analysis...... 11 Introduction...... 11 Strengths ...... 11 Weaknesses...... 12 Opportunities...... 12 Threats ...... 13 4. Vision for the Future Green Network...... 15 Introduction...... 15 Aims ...... 15 Raise Aspirations and Quality ...... 15 Maximise the Benefits of Inverclyde’s High Quality Environmental Assets ...... 16 Deliver the Green Network through Partnership ...... 16 Green Network Delivery Actions ...... 16 1- Develop a Green Network Steering Group...... 16 2 - Masterplan the Green Network in Development Areas...... 17 3 - Examine Future Management and Maintenance Options ...... 17 4 - Marketing of the Green Network ...... 18 5- Utilising the Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network Supplementary Planning Guidance ...... 18 6 – Improvements to Strategic Green Network Resources...... 18 What Does it Look Like? ...... 19 Part Two ...... 19
i 5. Inverclyde Today ...... 21 Introduction...... 21 Existing Green and Open Spaces...... 21 Green Network Dataset...... 21 Other Data Sources ...... 29 Overview of Current Green and Open Space Provision...... 29 Biodiversity and Environment ...... 31 Social and Health Context ...... 34 Regeneration Context ...... 37 6. Thematic Priorities ...... 41 Green Network Themes...... 41 7. Biodiversity and Environment...... 43 Introduction...... 43 Benefits of the Future Green Network ...... 43 Actions...... 43 8. Stronger Communities ...... 45 Introduction...... 45 Benefits of the Future Green Network ...... 45 Actions...... 46 9. Health Improvement ...... 47 Introduction...... 47 Benefits of the Future Green Network ...... 47 Actions...... 47 10. Enterprise Development ...... 49 Introduction...... 49 Benefits of the Future Green Network ...... 49 Actions...... 49 11. Action Plan...... 51 Introduction...... 51 12. Spatial Priorities ...... 57 Introduction...... 57 Area Wide Green Network Elements...... 58 The Coastal Villages...... 59 Description...... 59 Issues...... 60 Green Network Elements...... 60 Priorities...... 60 North West Inverclyde ...... 61 Description...... 61 Issues...... 61 Green Network Elements...... 62
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Priorities...... 62 Port Glasgow / Greenock ...... 63 Description...... 63 Issues...... 64 Green Network Elements...... 64 Priorities...... 65 The Rural Villages...... 66 Description...... 66 Issues...... 67 Green Network Elements...... 67 Priorities...... 67 Wider Rural Inverclyde ...... 68 Description...... 68 Issues...... 69 Priorities...... 69 13. Delivery Mechanisms ...... 71 Introduction...... 71 Process ...... 71 Partnership and Co-ordination...... 71 Raising Awareness...... 72 Community Involvement...... 72 Planning...... 73 Supplementary Planning Guidance...... 73 Development Management ...... 74 Appendix 1: Green Network Hierarchy Analysis ...... Appendix 2: Local Plan Policy Context ...... Appendix 3: Funding ......
Appendix 4: Workshop Reports ......
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. The Inverclyde Green Network Study sets out an ambitious framework for the development of a Green Network in Inverclyde. It was commissioned by Inverclyde Council; Riverside Inverclyde; Communities Scotland; and the Glasgow and Clyde Valley (GCV) Green Network Partnership in the winter of 2007. PART ONE 2. The Inverclyde Green Network study has two parts – Part One defines the Vision and Aims for the Green Network alongside six Delivery Actions that should be undertaken to help develop the structures in which the Green Network can be delivered. Part Two outlines the Spatial Priorities for the Green Network in the area. VISION 3. The following Vision for the Green Network in Inverclyde has been defined: By 2025 the combination of its outstanding environment, high quality development and unrivalled location means that Inverclyde is widely recognised as an attractive place to live, work and spend leisure time. This is reflected in high levels of investment, a vibrant local economy and a growing population. Communities are actively involved in managing their environment; local people and visitors have a wide range of opportunities to experience and enjoy the area’s natural and cultural heritage. The Green Network has been at the core of the area’s transformation, contributing to the regeneration of the Waterfront and the remodelling of residential areas, and forming key links within and between communities and with Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Development of the Green Network has delivered and continues to deliver a broad range of economic, community, health and environmental outcomes. AIMS 4. In order to achieve the vision for the Green Network in Inverclyde, a number of Core Aims have been set to help Inverclyde Council and its partners in its delivery. These are outlined below.
Raise Aspirations and Quality 5. Inverclyde has suffered considerably from social and economic decline since the mid 20th century. The focus on regeneration that the Urban Regeneration Company has brought is providing a platform for Inverclyde to promote itself as a vibrant 21st century community. The scale of the regeneration process represents a unique opportunity to develop a Green Network in Inverclyde. Every new development project should be seen as having a potential role to play in the development of this Green Network. Although many of these elements may be small, when combined, their contribution could be significant.
Maximise the Benefits of Inverclyde’s High Quality Environmental Assets 6. Inverclyde has a range of Green Network assets in place already. However, these are not used or utilised to their full potential by local people or visitors to the area. The following chapters discuss the way in which the network can be developed and enhanced but the core aim behind many of these recommendations is promotion and interpretation.
Deliver the Green Network through Partnership 7. The focus on regeneration and reducing social exclusion in Inverclyde has led to the establishment of a wide range of public and private sector initiatives which aim to aid the process of renewal. Many of these initiatives, such as Lower Clyde Greenspace and the Community Planning Partnership have direct or indirect links to the Green Network. There is considerable scope to maximise the potential benefits of the wide range of projects through better partnership working and exchange of information. Inverclyde Alliance (the Community Planning Partnership) may provide a platform from which the delivery of the Green Network can be achieved.
GREEN NETWORK DELIVERY ACTIONS 8. This section of the Green Network Study outlines the six Delivery Actions that should be undertaken in order to deliver the Green Network as a high quality, sustainable element of Inverclyde.
1- Develop a Green Network Steering Group 9. Firstly, establish a multi-agency, multi-departmental Green Network Steering Group for Inverclyde. This Steering Group should be developed around the existing ‘Safe and Sustainable Communities’ thematic partnership group already established through the Inverclyde Alliance (IA) community planning process.
2 - Masterplan the Green Network in Development Areas 10. The current regeneration of Inverclyde’s built environment, both on the riverside and across the existing housing stock, provides a unique opportunity to integrate the Green Network into the structural fabric of the area. A key early priority for the Green Network Steering Group is to define a Green Network masterplan with both Riverside Inverclyde and River Clyde homes for their respective development areas.
3 - Examine Future Management and Maintenance Options 11. The future management and maintenance of the Green Network should be examined by the Green Network Steering Group. A review of current practices for management would help to identify where opportunities for improvement exist. It will also help to identify where there are opportunities for training, volunteering and sharing of best practice.
4 - Marketing of the Green Network 12. The natural environment of Inverclyde is one of its key assets but it remains an underutilised resource. An early aim of the Green Network Steering Group should be to produce a short promotional document that highlights these assets, which include its setting in the Firth of Clyde, its coastline and the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.
5- Utilising the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Supplementary Planning Guidance 13. The recently developed Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Planning Guidance provides Inverclyde Council and its partners with a document which will allow them to build the Green Network into the development planning and development management process so that expectations are raised and all forms of development protect and enhance Inverclyde’s Green Network.
6 – Improvements to Strategic Green Network Resources 14. As a starting point for promoting and explaining the Inverclyde Green Network, the Green Network Steering Group should develop a signage and interpretation strategy that highlights the individual role that each of these sites play in the Green Network; and also how they combine to help form an overall network. Interpretation should relate to the biodiversity, social and cultural value of each site.
PART TWO
Spatial Priorities 15. Part Two of the Green Network Study identifies priorities for the future Green Network in an ‘action zone’ framework. Five distinct Green Network Zones have been identified through analysis of their physical and socio-economic characteristics. These have been defined to help target actions and resources for the delivery and development of the Green Network. The zones have been defined as: • The Coastal Villages; • North West Inverclyde; • Port Glasgow / Greenock; • The Rural Villages; and • Wider Rural Inverclyde. 16. The following map shows the location of the Green Network Zones.
17. Each of the five zones outlines a description of the current greenspace resource, an analysis of its socio-economic character and priorities for the development and improvement of the Green Network. 18. This spatial analysis of the areas helped to identify a green network hierarchy of resources. The locations identified as regionally important included:
• Lunderston Bay; • Gourock Esplanade; • Battery Park; • Coves Reservoirs; • Lyle Hill; • Greenock Cemetery; and • Coronation Park. 19. Each of these locations was surveyed to provide an analysis of their current and potential role in the Green Network.
DELIVERING THE GREEN NETWORK 20. There are a range of ‘tools’ available to help develop and implement the Inverclyde Green Network Study. They are grouped under a series of headings:
• Process: Preparation of the Study represents the first step towards developing a coordinated Green Network delivery partnership for Inverclyde. A series of actions should help ensure that development of the Green Network becomes a priority for all those public and private sector organisations involved in planning and implementing regeneration of Inverclyde; • Planning: The land use planning system will provide one of the most effective means of implementing the Inverclyde Green Network Study. Particular opportunities relate to Supplementary Planning Guidance and Development Management; • Funding: There are a range of potential sources of funding available for greenspace development and projects reflecting increasing profile which greenspace has in Scotland.
PART ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. This document sets out an ambitious vision for the development of a Green Network in Inverclyde. It was commissioned by Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde, Communities Scotland and the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership in winter 2007. 1.2. The partners involved in developing the study recognise the potential benefits to the ongoing regeneration process that a Green Network can bring. This study aims to facilitate a step change amongst all the public and private sector partners involved in the development and management of green and open spaces; helping to ensure the Green Network is a key consideration in all development and policy making processes. 1.3. In order to achieve this, the following Vision for the Green Network has been established: By 2025 the combination of its outstanding environment, high quality development and unrivalled location means that Inverclyde is widely recognised as an attractive place to live, work and spend leisure time. This is reflected in high levels of investment, a vibrant local economy and a growing population. Communities are actively involved in managing their environment; local people and visitors have a wide range of opportunities to experience and enjoy the area’s natural and cultural heritage. The Green Network has been at the core of the area’s transformation, contributing to the regeneration of the Waterfront and the remodelling of residential areas, and forming key links within and between communities and with Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Development of the Green Network has delivered and continues to deliver a broad range of economic, community, health and environmental outcomes. 1.4. This is an ambitious vision which will require strong political backing and partnership working between the public and private sectors. It reflects the strong position Inverclyde has in relation to its existing high quality natural and cultural heritage resources. The landscape and history of the area provide an ideal starting point for delivering this ambitious Vision and will help to form a unique element of the overall Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network.
INVERCLYDE TODAY 1.5. The urban area of Inverclyde is characterised by its flat, relatively thin coastal strip alongside the Clyde where historically industry and business have been located; and the steeply rising hillsides where many of the residential parts of the towns were located. Over time, the residential development expanded up the hillside and onto the high ground at locations such as Park Farm, Strone and around the Coves Reservoirs.
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1.6. The urban communities of Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock are all closely linked to one of the major environmental assets of the area – the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, which covers much of Inverclyde’s undeveloped rural hinterland. The Park is an important recreational resource for local people and visitors to the area and is a significant component of the ‘Green Network’ for the Glasgow and Clyde Valley region. 1.7. In close proximity to the urban settlements and Regional Park – reflecting Inverclyde’s compactness – are the coastal villages of Inverkip and Wemyss Bay, and inland settlements of Kilmacolm and Quarriers Village. 1.8. ‘People and Place’, the Scottish Executive’s 2006 Regeneration Policy Statement identifies the Inverclyde riverside between Gourock and Port Glasgow as one of the key areas for regeneration in Scotland. Riverside Inverclyde Urban Regeneration Company (URC) was created in 2007 to drive forward this £400m regeneration process through partnerships between the public and private sectors. 1.9. Despite their waterfront location and stunning vistas across the Clyde and to the north, the towns of Port Glasgow and Greenock have been centres of high unemployment, poor health and high social exclusion for decades. 1.10. The area suffered badly from the loss of primary industries in the latter half of the last century. In particular, the collapse of waterfront heavy industries created a mass unemployment and loss of population from which the area is still recovering. The remnants of the ship building industry can be seen in the large docks and the Titan Crane which remain in place today, serving as reminders of the area’s heritage.
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1.11. Inverclyde is slowly recovering and renewing its character through investment in the town centres, along the waterfront and in housing estate regeneration. Over the next decade the URC is seeking to be involved in the delivery of 35,000 sq.m of business space, 7,000sq.m of retail and leisure space, 22,500 sq.m of education and training space, and over 2,000 new homes. The URC hopes to generate 2,600 new jobs in the area over this period, helping to reduce the levels of unemployment and underemployment in the area. River Clyde Homes, the housing association established to receive former Council housing stock will work in partnership with other local housing associations to deliver 1,200 new homes within the next decade, whilst bringing existing stock up to standard and improving the surrounding environment. 1.12. In the past, the general population of Greenock and Port Glasgow were largely cut off from one of the most significant environmental assets in the area – the River Clyde. A combination of industrial use on the waterside, the main railway line and the A8 prevented most people from accessing the resource that was on their doorstep. It is significant that many of the new developments being promoted by the Council and Riverside Inverclyde aim to help reconnect people with the Clyde through creating residential, business, retail and leisure opportunities close to the waterside.
New Developments 1.13. Key regeneration areas along the Inverclyde riverside include:
• Victoria and East India Harbours/Cathcart Street, Greenock; • Cartsburn/Cartsdyke, Greenock; • Riverside Business Park, Greenock; • James Watt Dock, Greenock; • Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock Town Centres; • Riverview/Castlebank, Port Glasgow; • Kelburn, Port Glasgow. 1.14. A location map of these development areas is shown below:
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1.15. Inland, large scale demolition of former Council housing is creating sizable development opportunities, many of which will be utilised to implement the River Clyde Homes reprovisioning strategy. Others will be left undeveloped, but environmentally improved. 1.16. Each of these projects will contain elements of design or land use that could contribute to the ‘Green Network’. How the various elements of the Green Network in these separate developments interact will be an important aspect of ensuring the overall success of the network. 1.17. This Study represents an exciting and timely opportunity to influence the development of the Green Network in these locations, how they ‘interact’ with other new greenspaces and, perhaps more importantly, how they ‘interact’ with the rest of the area and existing greenspaces.
Project Aims 1.18. The Project Brief for the development of a Green Network Study for Inverclyde set specific aims for its development:
• To prepare a strategy for the development of a high quality Green Network across Inverclyde.
• Maximise social, economic and environmental benefits and secure this element of the GCV Green Network for the long term.
• Identify ways in which the active use of the Green Network can be encouraged and more sustainable approaches to long term management introduced.
• Identify a Green Network hierarchy for the wider Inverclyde Waterfront.
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Methodology 1.19. In order to achieve these aims a series of methodological stages were undertaken: Audit – an audit of the current plans, policies and strategies relating to the Green Network along with analysis of previous access and greenspace projects which had been undertaken in the area. Consultation – four workshops involving stakeholders and community representatives were held on the themes of Health, Biodiversity and Environment, Enterprise Development and Sustainable Communities. These helped to further inform the audit and provide direction for the development of the Study. Study Development – this Study has been developed utilising the findings from the audit and consultation stages of the project, providing guidance for the development of the Inverclyde Green Network.
STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT 1.20. The Inverclyde Green Network Study is divided into two parts. Part 1 is structured in the following way:
• Chapter 2 examines the importance of the Green Network from a policy context; • Chapter 3 provides a SWOT analysis for Inverclyde’s future Green Network; • Chapter 4 outlines the Vision and Core Aims for the future Green Network in Inverclyde along with the Green Network Foundation Actions that are central to the successful delivery of the Green Network.
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2. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GREEN NETWORK
The National Agenda 2.1. The Scottish Government has five Strategic Objectives for the Nation: 1. Wealthier and fairer. Enable businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth. 2. Healthier. Help people to sustain and improve their health, especially in disadvantaged communities, ensuring better, local and faster access to health care. 3. Safer and stronger. Help local communities to flourish, becoming stronger, safer place to live, offering improved opportunities and a better quality of life. 4. Smarter. Expand opportunities for Scots to succeed from nurture through to life long learning ensuring higher and more widely shared achievements. 5. Greener. Improve Scotland's natural and built environment and the sustainable use and enjoyment of it. 2.2. These Strategic Objectives provide the framework for all development in Scotland and provide the overarching framework for the development of the Green Network in Inverclyde. 2.3. The National Planning Framework 2: Discussion Draft (2008) is the key national framework document that will guide the spatial development of Scotland to 2030. It sets the agenda for change in Scotland, providing focus on reducing inequalities, improving sustainability and creating opportunities for education, training and employment. 2.4. Inverclyde is identified as a national priority for regeneration in the NPF2. Riverside Inverclyde is one of five Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs) that has a long term mission to improve the social and economic fabric of their respective areas. 2.5. The Green Network is also identified in NPF2 as a key driver towards creating a more sustainable and equitable Scotland; specifically referring to the role that URCs, such as that in Inverclyde, can play in achieving these goals. 2.6. Also at the national level, Scottish Planning Policy 11: Open Space and Physical Activity identifies the potential role that open and greenspace can play in the drive to make people more active and create a healthier population. 2.7. SPP11 outlines the importance of creating Green Networks to have a positive impact on rural and urban areas, helping to develop habitat networks and pleasant environments for the human population. It also outlines the importance of raising standards across all open and greenspaces to help create an inclusive environment. 2.8. PAN65: Open Space (2008) gives advice on the role of the planning system in protecting and enhancing existing open spaces and providing high quality new spaces. In particular it outlines the need to ensure that the desires of the local community
7 are taken into account when considering local open space. It emphasises that community involvement in the design, management and maintenance of open spaces can build a sense of shared ownership of the public realm, reducing vandalism and anti-social behaviour and increasing safety. 2.9. Overall national planning policy focuses on the potential role that open and greenspace can play in the enhancement of urban environments for economic, social and environmental benefit. In particular the concept of a Green Network is highlighted as being hugely beneficial.
The Inverclyde Context 2.10. The Inverclyde Corporate Plan 2007-2011 provides the vision and policy framework for Inverclyde Council and its partners to work towards in the next three years. The core ‘Strategic Outcomes’ defined within the plan include:
• Strategic Outcome 1 – Educated, informed, responsible citizens;
• Strategic Outcome 2 – Healthy, caring communities;
• Strategic Outcome 3 – Safe, sustainable Communities;
• Strategic Outcome 4 – A thriving, diverse local economy. 2.11. These outcomes have a strong relationship with the objectives of the Green Network Study, outlined in the following chapters. 2.12. Riverside Inverclyde is the Urban Regeneration Company which is coordinating the £400 regeneration of the Inverclyde waterfront. Its Mission states: “…the area is set to become a distinctive business and residential location of choice by 2016. A superior choice of affordable to luxury housing will be complemented by high quality retail and leisure facilities. Also, transport links both within the area, as well as to the wider Glasgow city region, already good, will be further enhanced. In turn, Inverclyde will grow to be an attractive hub for enterprise opportunities and leisure and tourism activity” 2.13. This mission will be undertaken by focusing on five key areas:
• infrastructure, connectivity and environment;
• business property;
• residential;
• business skills and learning;
• tourism. 2.14. The mission and themes identified by Riverside Inverclyde have strong potential links with the development of the Inverclyde Green Network.
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The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network 2.15. A key theme of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan (2006)1 is the creation of ‘A Green Network’, to be created through linkage and improved management of greenspace. The plan anticipates that the network will comprise current environmental assets as well as the reclamation of derelict land and measures to exploit the potential of underused land. 2.16. The key aims of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network are identified in the Business Plan of the Green Network Partnership. The plan states that a Green Network Programme would aim to improve the competitiveness of Glasgow’s metropolitan area by enhancing the area as a place to work, live and invest. This would be achieved by encouraging social inclusion and improvements in community life quality, reinforcing and enhancing the biodiversity value of greenspace across the Glasgow metropolitan area and developing more sustainable infrastructure and lifestyles.
The GCV Green Network Partnership 2.17. The GCV Green Network Partnership is a partnership that has been created to facilitate and add value to the work of organisations that are already working on greenspace improvement. 2.18. The partnership aims to achieve this through being a catalyst and facilitator, building further partnerships, securing alignment resources, identifying and demonstrating good practices, tracking and assessing emerging needs and opportunities and disseminating information. 2.19. The GCV Green Network Partnership has two explicit aims:
• to promote a strategic, partnership approach to the development, planning and delivery of the GCV Green Network Programme; and
• to secure the full and timely delivery of the GCV Green Network Programme to high quality standards that achieves the aims and objectives of the Programme.
CONCLUSION 2.20. National, regional and local policy agendas all strongly support the development of a Green Network in Inverclyde. The link between the Green Network and a range of policy agendas demonstrates the importance of developing this Study. It aims to build on the strategic objectives outlined above to provide an action plan for reaching the ambitious goals which are laid out in the Vision.
1 http://www.gcvgreennetwork.gov.uk/about/overview.php
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3. SWOT ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION 3.1. This section draws together the results of the baseline analysis, together with information gathered through the consultation workshops, to provide an overview of Inverclyde’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. In distilling and describing the existing situation, this analysis provides a starting point for the development of the Green Network Vision and Objectives set out in the next section of the Study.
Strengths 3.2. One of Inverclyde’s greatest strengths is the quality of its environmental setting. 3.3. Most communities are concentrated on steeply rising ground along the south side of the Firth of Clyde, creating a dramatic landscape setting with outstanding views over the tidal river to the mountains of Argyll. Few other large towns in Scotland enjoy such a setting. Smaller communities, including Kilmacolm and Quarriers enjoy a more rural, but equally high quality landscape setting. 3.4. Inverclyde also has rich and varied biodiversity, much of it close to where people live and work. The area includes two internationally important wildlife sites. The Inner Clyde Special Protection Area (SPA) supports a diverse population of seabirds, many of which have seen recovering populations as water quality has improved. The Renfrewshire Heights SPA, covering much of the moorland to the south of Greenock, supports an important population of Hen Harriers. Inverclyde also has biodiversity sites which are of national (SSSIs) and more local importance (SINCs), together with the Coves Reservoir Local Nature Reserve. 3.5. The rich natural heritage is matched by Inverclyde’s cultural heritage. It is perhaps the area’s industrial legacy which is most evident, with the shipyards, docks, warehouses, ropeworks all reflecting the dominance of shipbuilding and Inverclyde’s maritime connections. The wealth that this industry brought to the area is reflected in its legacy of civic and public buildings, riverside promenades and elegant villas. Historic sites from earlier periods survive amongst the industrial sites, and in parts of Inverclyde where the effect of industrialisation was less profound. 3.6. The improvement, development and community engagement work already undertaken in Inverclyde by Lower Clyde Greenspace. 3.7. Inverclyde benefits from good transport connections by road, rail, ferry and for people travelling on foot or by bike. The area is well connected, both with the Glasgow conurbation to the east and, via ferries, with Cowal and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. This suggests that Inverclyde is well placed to benefit from its environmental qualities by attracting more visitors and realising its potential as a place to live and work.
11 3.8. Inverclyde already benefits from a range of recreation opportunities including the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, the National Cycle Route, the wider network of walking, cycling and riding routes and an increasing number of areas where people can get access to the Clyde waterfront.
Weaknesses 3.9. Most of Inverclyde’s weaknesses stem from the rapid industrial decline that took place during the 1980s and 1990s. The contraction of shipbuilding had a major impact on the wider economy of Inverclyde, prompting a significant process of depopulation as many of the economically active sought work elsewhere. There is some evidence that these processes of decline may be slowing with new investment and employment being attracted to the area. 3.10. These processes of economic and population decline contribute to a number of other key issues. Inverclyde has amongst the worst incidence of deprivation in Scotland, with persistent unemployment, low incomes and poor health. 3.11. These socio-economic problems are compounded by the poor quality of the urban environment, including the areas of public housing which tend to be concentrated on steeply rising ground to the south of Greenock and Port Glasgow. Low quality housing is often set within extensive areas of equally unattractive open space (so called amenity greenspace). They are often poorly provided with community facilities and connections to town centres. In some cases this is emphasised by the steep topography which can make travelling even short distances more arduous. It also stems from the historic separation of residential areas from the River Clyde itself. The low quality of many urban areas is in stark contrast to the high quality of Inverclyde’s wider environmental setting. 3.12. These factors combine to influence, if not dominate, perceptions of the area, on the part of local people and, equally important, those who make decisions about visiting, living or investing in Inverclyde. This suggests that any successful study should aim to tackle the underlying issues but also to influence internal and external perceptions so they more accurately reflect Inverclyde’s strengths and its opportunities.
Opportunities 3.13. There is a key opportunity to more explicitly link economic and social regeneration to the quality of the environment, and the Green Network in particular. This opportunity falls into two parts. 3.14. Firstly, there is significant potential to reflect Inverclyde’s existing environmental assets and qualities in regeneration initiatives, and in the way that the area is promoted and marketed more widely. Specific opportunities include reconnecting communities with the waterfront, increasing access to and interpretation of the area’s outstanding natural and cultural heritage, and promoting Inverclyde as an accessible and high quality location to live, work and invest.
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3.15. Secondly, there is a critical need to ensure that new developments and regeneration initiatives contribute positively to the development and enhancement of the Green Network by improving quality, increasing integration or promoting a sense of cohesion. Specific opportunities include regeneration of the Clyde Riverside and planned redevelopment of public sector housing within Inverclyde. It is critical that these projects are informed by an understanding of the aims and benefits of the Green Network, and of the importance of contributing to its development in both quantitative and qualitative terms. 3.16. Set alongside these two fundamental opportunities are a number of related areas where there is potential to secure wider benefits. These include:
• building on the work of existing initiatives to more widely involve communities in their local greenspaces;
• building on the work of existing initiatives to develop opportunities for volunteering, training, employment and community enterprise initiatives linked to greenspaces;
• building on the work of existing initiatives to use the Green Network and access network to promote healthy living (exercise, involvement, local food production etc.);
• securing temporary greening of vacant sites, particularly in key locations;
• using Green Network enhancements along key transport corridors to support the transformation of outside perceptions of the area;
• enhancing and publicising the range of opportunities for tourism and recreation associated with the Green Network.
Threats 3.17. The most significant threats reflect the potential to miss the significant opportunities to integrate the Green Network within the economic and social regeneration initiatives underway within Inverclyde, particularly along the riverside and in key residential areas. Failure to achieve such integration could result in a repetition of the problems of the past, and make it much more difficult to achieve the change in local and outside perceptions that are vital to the area’s future prosperity. Even more significantly, such a failure would mean that key outcomes (such as better health, higher employment, more distinctive sense of local identity, richer biodiversity etc.) would be significantly reduced.
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4. VISION FOR THE FUTURE GREEN NETWORK
INTRODUCTION 4.1. This section of the study sets out the Vision for the Green Network in Inverclyde. By 2025 the combination of its outstanding environment, high quality development and unrivalled location means that Inverclyde is widely recognised as an attractive place to live, work and spend leisure time. This is reflected in high levels of investment, a vibrant local economy and a growing population. Communities are actively involved in managing their environment; local people and visitors have a wide range of opportunities to experience and enjoy the area’s natural and cultural heritage. The Green Network has been at the core of the area’s transformation, contributing to the regeneration of the Waterfront and the remodelling of residential areas, and forming key links within and between communities and with Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Development of the Green Network has delivered and continues to deliver a broad range of economic, community, health and environmental outcomes. 4.2. This is an ambitious vision which will require strong political backing and partnership working between the public and private sectors. Although ambitious, it reflects the existing priorities for regeneration in Inverclyde and aims to utilise the existing strengths of the area to help create a step change in how Inverclyde is perceived.
AIMS 4.3. In order to achieve the Vision for the Green Network in Inverclyde, a number of Aims have been set to help Inverclyde Council and its partners in its delivery. These are outlined below. Raise Aspirations and Quality 4.4. Inverclyde has suffered considerably from social and economic decline since the mid 20th century. The focus on regeneration that the URC has brought is providing a platform for Inverclyde to promote itself as a vibrant 21st century community. 4.5. The scale of the regeneration process represents a unique opportunity to develop a Green Network in Inverclyde. Every new development project should be seen as having a potential role to play in the development of this Green Network. Although many of these elements may be small, when combined, their contribution could be significant. 4.6. The natural environment is a key strength and massive resource for Inverclyde to build on. Its location at the mouth of the Clyde provides it with spectacular views and rich biodiversity. However, the perception of Inverclyde is often still limited to post industrial decline or as a gateway to ferry services rather than a destination in its own right.
15 4.7. Inverclyde should be promoted as a ‘green’ destination with its range of Green Network elements combining to create a compact and well integrated set of communities. 4.8. The natural landscape provides a high quality setting for Inverclyde but the Green Network elements within the settlements sometimes do not meet those high standards. It is important to try and raise the quality of each element of the Green Network within Inverclyde, from public parks to roadside amenity greenspace so that a quality network is created.
Maximise the Benefits of Inverclyde’s High Quality Environmental Assets 4.9. Inverclyde has a range of Green Network assets in place already. However, these are not used or utilised to their full potential by local people or visitors to the area. The following chapters discuss the way in which the network can be developed and enhanced but the core aim behind many of these recommendations is promotion and interpretation. 4.10. Inverclyde is located beside an internationally important wetland site on the Clyde; it has a wide range of cultural heritage resources and it has a large Regional Park within its boundaries. These assets are not promoted or interpreted to their full potential but could be used as a draw for visitors to the area but also to help encourage more local people into the Green Network.
Deliver the Green Network through Partnership 4.11. The focus on regeneration and reducing social exclusion in Inverclyde has led to the establishment of a wide range of public and private sector initiatives which aim to aid the process of renewal. Many of these initiatives have direct or indirect links to the Green Network. 4.12. There is considerable scope to maximise the potential benefits of the wide range of projects through better partnership working and exchange of information. Inverclyde Alliance (the Community Planning Partnership) may provide a platform from which the delivery of the Green Network can be achieved.
GREEN NETWORK DELIVERY ACTIONS 4.13. This section of the Green Network Study outlines the six Delivery Actions that should be undertaken in order to deliver the Green Network as a high quality, sustainable element of Inverclyde.
1- Develop a Green Network Steering Group 4.14. Firstly, establish a multi-agency, multi-departmental Green Network Steering Group for Inverclyde. This Steering Group should be developed around the existing ‘Safe and Sustainable Communities’ thematic partnership group already established through the Inverclyde Alliance (IA) community planning process.
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4.15. The Green Network Steering Group should include representatives of Inverclyde Council; Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Authority; Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS; Riverside Inverclyde; River Clyde Homes; Scottish Enterprise; SNH; Lower Clyde Greenspace; and the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership. This steering group should report to the wider Inverclyde Alliance that is made up of the following organisations:
• Greenock Chamber of Commerce; • Community Councils; • Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS; • Inverclyde Council; • Inverclyde Housing Associations Forum; • James Watt College; • Job Centre Plus; • Riverside Inverclyde; • Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire; • Strathclyde Fire and Rescue; • Strathclyde Partnership for Transport; • Strathclyde Police; • Voluntary Sector representation facilitated by CVS Inverclyde.
2 - Masterplan the Green Network in Development Areas 4.16. The current regeneration of Inverclyde’s built environment, both on the riverside and across the existing housing stock, provides a unique opportunity to integrate the Green Network into the structural fabric of the area. A key early priority for the Green Network Steering Group is to define a Green Network masterplan with both Riverside Inverclyde and River Clyde homes for their respective development areas. 4.17. The process of defining the key elements of the Green Network at the outset of the development process will help to provide a focus for the creation of a high quality network that fulfils the core aims outlined above.
3 - Examine Future Management and Maintenance Options 4.18. The future management and maintenance of the Green Network should be examined by the Green Network Steering Group. A review of current practices for management would help to identify where opportunities for improvement exist. It will also help to identify where there are opportunities for training, volunteering and sharing of best practice. 4.19. The review should seek to identify potential options for the future sustainable management of the Green Network in Inverclyde. 4.20. This review is likely to require input from a wide range of partners including: Inverclyde Council; River Clyde Homes; other housing associations; Riverside Inverclyde; and other organisations involved in the management of greenspace.
17 4 - Marketing of the Green Network 4.21. The natural environment of Inverclyde is one of its key assets but it remains an underutilised resource. An early aim of the Green Network Steering Group should be to produce a short promotional document that highlights these assets, which include its setting in the Firth of Clyde, its coastline, the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. 4.22. The marketing document should be based around the Green Network and be aimed at both potential business investors and new residents. It should also be developed within the context of the significant regeneration process which is currently underway across the area without losing sight of the cultural, industrial past of Inverclyde.
5- Utilising the Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network Supplementary Planning Guidance 4.23. The recently developed Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network Planning Guidance provides Inverclyde Council and its partners with a document which will allow them to build the Green Network into the development planning and development management process so that expectations are raised and all forms of development protect and enhance Inverclyde’s Green Network. The Guidance contains a series of checklists to help ensure that the Green Network is embedded in the development plan and supplementary planning guidance and pre-application discussions. The adoption of this document should be a priority for the Green Network Steering Group.
6 – Improvements to Strategic Green Network Resources 4.24. Part 2 of the Inverclyde Green Network Study identifies seven regionally important Green Network elements for Inverclyde. The scale and purpose of these sites varies significantly but they each play an important role in the overall Green Network. 4.25. As a starting point for promoting and explaining the Inverclyde Green Network, the Green Network Steering Group should develop a signage and interpretation strategy that highlights the individual role that each of these sites play in the Green Network; and also how they combine to help form an overall network. Interpretation should relate to the biodiversity, social and cultural value of each site. 4.26. In the future, the programme of interpretation and signage should be rolled out across more sites in Inverclyde.
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WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? 4.27. The following map shows diagrammatically what the Inverclyde Green Network will look like. It demonstrates that there are a wide range of elements that will be brought together in its development.
KEY Rural / Coastal villages Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Urban regeneration projects Regional GN resources Housing
Key transport regeneration corridor Clyde interpretation Ferry Links Linking communities National Cycle to the Clyde Route 75 Linking communities Not to scale
PART TWO 4.28. Part Two of the Inverclyde Green Network Study outlines the findings of the baseline analysis undertaken during the development of the Green Network and identifies the Thematic and Spatial Priorities for Action.
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PART TWO
5. INVERCLYDE TODAY
INTRODUCTION 5.1. This section of the Green Network Study provides a baseline analysis of the existing elements that will influence the development of the Green Network in Inverclyde. It includes analysis of: • current green and open space provision; • biodiversity and landscape; • social and health context; • regeneration and enterprise context. Existing Green and Open Spaces 5.2. The current network of green and open spaces in Inverclyde has an important role to play in the continued regeneration and reinvigoration of the area. Inverclyde has great potential to become a model council for Scotland; promoting the Green Network and sustainability as core elements of its renewal. 5.3. The quality of the natural environment in Inverclyde is a significant and underutilised resource. It forms the basis for the Green Network but is underutilised as a tool for promoting Inverclyde as an area to live and work. 5.4. The coastline, steeply rising hillsides and views across the Firth of Clyde are all significant assets that provide a strong basis for the Green Network. Another major asset is the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, which dominates a large proportion of the authority’s area. 5.5. Other features such as the waterfront, National Cycle Route 75 and proposed core path network each help to form structural components of the Green Network. 5.6. These wide ranging features should help to provide a very strong sense of place for Inverclyde, setting it apart from the surrounding area as a unique location. 5.7. The following section provides an analysis of the current Green Network in Inverclyde. Green Network Dataset 5.8. The Green Network Dataset is a GIS based database that classifies types of greenspace in urban areas across Scotland. Spaces were classified using aerial photography and other map based information. The dataset was not ground truthed and has been shown to contain some errors in classification. However, it provides a useful starting point for analysis when defining what green and open space resources are available. 5.9. The following sequence of maps build up the various categories of greenspace in Inverclyde to provide a picture of what the current provision of green and open spaces is.
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5.10. The first map in the sequence shows a context map without any of the Green Network Dataset information included.
23 5.11. Map 2 shows the elements classified in the Green Network dataset as waterways and formal parks. The formal recreation resource is concentrated in the urban centres of Inverclyde, most notably in Greenock and Gourock and the coastal fringe of Port Glasgow. While watercourses are more dispersed, the major resources of the Greenock Cut and the Coves and Cowdenknowes reservoirs are focussed on the Greenock-Gourock conurbation. The River Gryfe and Knapps Loch on the fringe of Kilmacolm represent the other major resources in the network. The remainder of the watercourses in the network are relatively small, generally flowing through coastal settlements from the upland hinterland.
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5.12. Map 3 shows the areas classified as amenity greenspace across the built up area of Inverclyde. Typically, these areas are concentrated on the periphery of the densely developed urban areas – particularly in areas laid out during the mid- late 20th century. However, Greenock West is particularly sparsely endowed with amenity green space, reflecting the lack of open space in the area’s 19th century ‘gridiron’ layout.
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5.13. Map 4 shows the areas classified as sports greenspaces. These include pitches and, most significantly in terms of total coverage, golf courses. These tend to be located in close proximity to centres of population on marginal land otherwise unsuitable for development, while sports pitches tend to be incorporated into the general pattern of development.
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5.14. Map 5 shows the remaining classifications of the Green Network Dataset. These are semi-natural open spaces, churchyards/cemeteries and civic spaces. Large cemeteries are, naturally, distributed in densely populated areas generally close to the 19th century component of large settlements. Smaller churchyards are more evenly distributed throughout the area.
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While areas of woodland and semi-natural open space tend to be located on the fringes of settlement, Greenock West and Gourock enclose substantial green spaces in the form of the Coves Reservoir area and the Greenock cemetery. The definition of ‘semi-natural green space’ seems to vary greatly across the network, with somewhat disparate areas – such as the post-industrial waterfront, railway embankments, the Coves Reservoir Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and areas of open woodland – grouped in the same classification.
Other Data Sources 5.15. A considerable amount of work relating to green /open space and access has been undertaken in Inverclyde in recent years. The information contained within these documents has helped to inform the baseline analysis and define the Vision and Strategic Objectives for the area. Documents reviewed include:
• Vacant and Derelict Land Register;
• Routes to Regeneration – Inverclyde Access Strategy;
• Port Glasgow and Greenock Access Pilot Studies;
• Draft Core Path Plan;
• Inverclyde Open Space Audit and Action Plan;
• A New Agenda for Greenspace in Inverclyde 2007-2017;
• A8 Environmental Audit.
Overview of Current Green and Open Space Provision 5.16. The Green Network dataset provides a useful starting point for the analysis of the green components of the built up areas in Inverclyde. A number of key observations can be made about the makeup of the network based on the maps shown above.
• There are relatively few formal parks in the area.
• There is a large quantity of amenity greenspaces in Port Glasgow and Greenock, particularly in the areas of housing constructed in the mid to late 20th century. Many of these spaces were created as a result of the layout of the housing leaving relatively small areas of grassland. They often serve little practical purpose other than as areas for dog walking or access routes between roads and residential areas.
• Golf courses make up relatively large areas in the west end of Greenock and in Gourock. These play an important role for local sporting activity and provide some visual amenity but provide little other recreational functionality.
29 • Large areas within the settlements are classified as semi-natural greenspace. However, the type of space classified as semi-natural varies greatly - Coves Reservoirs LNR is classified in the same way as some of the post industrial waterfront landscape. This means that the value, condition and function of these ‘semi-natural’ areas varies greatly even though they are classified under one category.
• The above maps do not reflect the topography of the area. Some areas classified as amenity greenspace or semi-natural greenspace in the dataset are on steep slopes and have no opportunities for access. However, they can provide important habitats and visual amenity.
• The River Clyde itself is not included within the dataset. However it is a key strategic resource for the area which at present is underutilised. The waterfront settlements of Port Glasgow and Greenock in particular have been disconnected from the Clyde because of the industrial landscape which developed along the waterfront. This is now changing because of the regeneration of the area, providing new opportunities for access and interpretation.
• The Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is another significant Green Network asset in Inverclyde. It connects the settlements of Port Glasgow, Greenock, Gourock, Weymss Bay and Inverkip and has several key resources that are important elements of the Green Network.
o The Greenock Cut is part of an aqueduct system that is located on the hills to the south of Greenock. The Cut was recently restored and upgraded to provide part of an access network that connects Greenock with the Cornalees Visitor Centre.
o Lunderston Bay is located north of Inverkip. It is a hugely popular resource, with over 350,000 people using the area annually. A significant proportion of these drive to the site but the National Cycle Route 75 (NCR75) has recently been extended to the area improving access by other means.
• NCR75 provides a connection from Renfrewshire into Inverclyde, connecting Quarriers and Kilmacolm to the waterfront settlements. Currently terminating at Lunderston Bay, there are proposals to extend the route to Wemyss Bay. Additional strategic links to the NCR75 are proposed along the Clyde waterfront from the Renfrewshire boundary to Greenock Town Centre, from Lady Octavia Park to the Greenock Cut at Overton, and a primarily on-road link from between Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow to the Cornalees Visitor Centre.
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Biodiversity and Environment 5.17. Inverclyde has a rich biodiversity value and contributes significantly to the landscape amenity of the Clyde Valley region. The Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) for the area shows a large proportion of the Inverclyde area is characterised as either Rugged Moorland Hills or Rugged Upland Farmland.
5.18. The northern coastal zone of Inverclyde, dominated by the settlements of Gourock, Greenock and Port Glasgow is characterised as Urban in the assessment. The characterisation in the assessment shows the close relationship that the major urban area has with the countryside – there is very little area that would be classified as ‘urban fringe’ – the distinction between urban and rural being quite abrupt. 5.19. The natural heritage value of the area is reflected in the wide range of species and habitat plans contained in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). 5.20. The LBAP was produced in collaboration with East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde councils; as well as Scottish Natural Heritage and Shanks First. The LBAP contains Species and Habitat Action Plans for Inverclyde and neighbouring areas. The LBAP Species and Habitat plans are important tools in implementing the UK Biodiversity Action Plan at the local level.
31 5.21. Priority habitats identified in the LBAP found in Inverclyde are: • rivers and streams; • broad leaved and mixed woodland; • mires; • standing open water; and • urban. 5.22. Species’ identified in the LBAP found in Inverclyde are: • greater butterfly orchids; • lesser butterfly orchids; • common juniper; • black grouse; • spignel; • hen harrier; • otter; • brown hare; and • pipistrelle Bat. 5.23. The area has a number of designated sites, protected for their importance for nature conservation. Most significant are the internationally protected Special Protection Areas (SPAs) of the Inner Clyde, which has extensive intertidal sand and mud flats important for a range of wintering waterbirds, notably redshank; and Renfrewshire Heights (proposed SPA) which is internationally important for its hen harrier population. 5.24. These areas also carry the national designation of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The other SSSIs in the area are Dunrod Hill and Shielhill Glen (both south of Greenock in the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park), Knocknairs Hill (south of Port Glasgow), and Glen Moss and Dargavel Burn (both east of Kilmacolm).
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5.25. The above map also shows there are large areas of ancient woodland, particularly to the west of Inverclyde, significant proportions of which are located within the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. 5.26. The Regional Park itself is a 108 square mile site which covers parts of Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire. The principal aims of the Park are:
• To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, biodiversity and cultural heritage of Clyde Muirshiel Park.
• To encourage and enable learning, understanding and enjoyment of Clyde Muirshiel Park.
• To promote and foster environmentally sustainable development for the social and economic well-being of the people and communities within the Clyde Muirshiel Park area. 5.27. These aims closely align with the overall objectives of the Green Network and are a key consideration in the development of this Study. 5.28. The map also shows the Coves Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in the built up area. Coves is a 44ha natural open space that provides informal recreation for local people and also a habitat for a range of species. 5.29. The Inverclyde Local Plan highlights a network of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) – areas that have been identified as important for their biodiversity value.
33 Social and Health Context 5.30. Developing stronger, sustainable communities is a particularly important cross cutting theme that runs across all plans and policies within Inverclyde. Depopulation of the area is a significant problem. Between 1996 and 2006 the population level fell by 6.3%. If the trend continued, by 2016 the population will fall from 81,540 today to 76,778. This has significant implications for developing council services, business investment and reducing levels of social exclusion.
5.31. The above map shows the distribution of population in the Inverclyde area. Unsurprisingly the highest concentration of population is located along the river front, in the corridor that includes Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock; there is also a relatively high concentration around the villages of Kilmacolm, Weymss Bay, Inverkip and Quarriers. 5.32. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) is a dataset developed by the Scottish Government to monitor the relative levels of social exclusion amongst the Scottish population.
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5.33. The above map shows the overall SIMD (2006) score for the Inverclyde area – the darker areas show populations that suffer from social exclusion. Parts of Port Glasgow and Greenock in particular are amongst the poorest ranked populations in Scotland. The populations of Kilmacolm, Weymss Bay and Inverkip score much better in the index, demonstrating that they have far fewer people at risk from social exclusion. 5.34. There are a variety of organisations employed in different areas working towards reducing social exclusion and improving quality of life for residents in the areas of Inverclyde. 5.35. Two major bodies working in Inverclyde are the Inverclyde Community Development Trust (ICDT) and Inverclyde Alliance. The ICDT was set-up in 1996 with the merging of the Greenock Employment Action Group and other services groups. It is an independent company with charitable status and is supported by Inverclyde Council, Scottish Enterprise and the European Union, amongst other bodies. The ICDT has a mission statement with the following aims: • to contribute to overall economic development of Inverclyde by providing or creating jobs for people from disadvantaged groups and areas; • provide a framework for local people to enhance skills and enter a ‘learning continuum’, increasing their potential; • removing obstacles to individuals and groups accessing training and employment; • providing a range of services within the community and to other community groups.
35 5.36. The Inverclyde Alliance (IA) was established in 2003 and re-launched in 2007 as the Community Planning Partnership; it is a representative organisation, with bodies including the chamber of commerce, and community councils, all involved. The aims of IA are to: • promote partnerships working in Inverclyde, including investigating options for integrated public service delivery; • grow a culture of enterprise and partnership, with agencies coming together to tackle big issues; • involve community, voluntary and business sectors in decisions facing the area; • develop strategic views on issues associated with reform of public sector services. 5.37. Inverclyde has lower life expectancies and higher death rates than the Scottish average; it has higher than average rates of cancers, coronary heart disease, strokes, respiratory diseases and digestive diseases; and around 18% of the population of working age has a limiting long-term illness - approximately 9,000 people.
5.38. As would be expected, Inverclyde scores very poorly in the health element of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). However, there are significant disparities between the various settlements. Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock score very poorly in terms of the health statistics for their populations; Weymss Bay and Inverkip have relatively healthy populations and Kilmacolm scores highly on the index.
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5.39. The mental well being of the population is also a problem in Inverclyde. This is reflected by the work of organisations such as the Inverclyde Association for Mental Health (IAMH). They work with people with a diverse range of mental health problems who have been excluded from mainstream society in many aspects of their life. Their work has included the development of a social business which includes existing landscaping and woodworking services and a new nursery/horticultural centre. The organisation is also actively looking for opportunities to develop guided walks in greenspaces to aid mental well being. 5.40. Other organisations such as Phoenix Community Health run health walks for local residents, promoting healthier lifestyles in an environment where concerns over personal safety and anti-social behaviour are less prevalent. 5.41. Inverclyde Council is also active in promoting physical activity as part of a healthier lifestyle. The Council, in partnership with James Watt College, produced a series of postcards describing walks that ‘help residents enjoy the outdoors and discover Inverclyde’. 5.42. The walks were selected as the favourites of an Inverclyde walking group, and students studying Graphic Design at James Watt College were then commissioned to design a postcard depicting features of each of the routes. 5.43. The routes cover all of Inverclyde’s towns and villages as well as the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, taking in urban and rural areas. The postcards include a route description, and information on public transport and parking and facilities available along the walk.
Regeneration Context 5.44. The employment component of the SIMD shows that there are significant unemployed populations in the waterfront settlements of Inverclyde. Indeed between July 2006 and July 2007 the unemployment rate in Inverclyde was 7.2%, second in Scotland only behind Glasgow City2.
2 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/lmsscot0208.pdf
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5.45. As shown in the previous analysis of the SIMD, there are significant variations between the waterfront settlements, particularly Port Glasgow and Greenock, and the villages of Kilmacolm, Weymss Bay and Inverkip. The darker areas show populations that have higher levels of unemployment. These correlate closely with the areas which have been shown to have poor health and are at risk from social exclusion. 5.46. Inverclyde’s role as an important centre for business investment has developed in recent years. The waterfront area in particular has become an area that provides significant employment opportunities, both for residents of Inverclyde and the wider area. Proximity to Glasgow and Glasgow Airport makes Inverclyde an attractive area for investment, while quality of the environment also provides an impressive backdrop for businesses. 5.47. Companies such as the Royal Bank of Scotland and T-Mobile have established major contact centres in the area and similar investment opportunities will be available throughout the development of Riverside Inverclyde. An additional benefit of the investment of these large companies are the programmes of social investment that they often undertake. Both companies promote volunteering and investment in the local area. Environmental projects are currently limited but there may be scope to encourage activity in Green Network projects. 5.48. The regeneration of Inverclyde is a key priority at a national level. The Riverside Inverclyde URC will deliver £400m of public/private sector investment to the riverside settlements of Port Glasgow and Greenock, renewing the waterfront area through the development of housing, commercial and retail centres.
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5.49. The key areas undergoing regeneration and investment are shown on the map above. Significantly, the redevelopment will open up large sections of the waterfront that have never been accessible to the public before. Most of the redevelopment along the waterfront will deliver hard landscaped environments – however, these are considered part of the ‘Green’ network because of their close links with the River Clyde and their role in providing potential recreational and educational facilities.
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6. THEMATIC PRIORITIES
GREEN NETWORK THEMES 6.1. The development and delivery of the Inverclyde Green Network has been considered under four themes. These themes are based around the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership thematic areas as they are closely linked to the themes outlined in the Vision and, as part of the GNP, Inverclyde Council has signed up to their delivery. 6.2. The four thematic areas which provide the focus for the development of the Green Network in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley are:
• Biodiversity and Environment;
• Stronger Communities;
• Health Improvement; and
• Enterprise Development. 6.3. The Green Network Themes provide the headings under which Actions have been identified for the successful delivery of the network. They provide a basis for delivery in a thematic way and an easy base from which to measure success.
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7. BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT
Introduction 7.1. The Green Network in Inverclyde will include all elements of open and greenspace alongside the ‘blue’ environment made up of the various reservoirs, burns, and perhaps most significantly, the River Clyde. 7.2. Urban and urban fringe habitats can form elements of the natural ecosystem of an area that are equally as important for biodiversity as a rural environment. Urban greenspace environments can be vital for wildlife, helping to form stepping stones or corridors that allow flora and fauna to migrate. 7.3. Even vacant and derelict land can form an important element of an ecosystem. The recent addition of ‘Open mosaic habitats on previously derelict land’ as a UKBAP habitat demonstrates the national recognition of a habitat type prevalent in Inverclyde.
Benefits of the Future Green Network 7.4. As outlined in Chapter 3, the natural environment of Inverclyde is one of its key assets. However, there are a range of significant opportunities to improve its biodiversity value and environmental contribution through the development of a Green Network. 7.5. The Green Network would bring benefits to the environment, biodiversity and people. These benefits will take a number of different forms:
• help fulfil the objectives of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan by helping to create and protect habitats;
• help to fulfil the ‘Safe, Sustainable Communities’ Strategic Outcome of the Corporate plan by helping to protect the natural environment;
• help reduce vehicle emissions by encouraging modal shift towards walking and cycling;
• engender community ownership and involvement in their neighbourhood spaces. 7.6. The role of urban greenspaces in providing enjoyment and understanding of the natural environment is vital. Locations such as the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Clyde Estuary and Coves Reservoir LNR provide an environment important for both wildlife and local people. The latter area is located close to populous areas but maintains its semi-natural character.
Actions 7.7. The following section provides a set of Actions which should be undertaken to maximise the benefits to Biodiversity and the Environment of the future Green Network.
43 • Inverclyde Council should utilise the Integrated Habitat Network study and datasets when assessing all planning applications to identify the potential for creating and extending habitats on a site by site basis.
• The Green Network Steering Group should work with the LBAP Officer to identify biodiversity based projects that can have ecological and community benefits for Inverclyde.
• Raise awareness of the natural environment around Inverclyde through the installation of interpretation and the development of the Green Network. Inverclyde has a high quality resource in terms of the flora and fauna that is of interest but there is very little information or interpretation available relating to it across the area. This is particularly relevant with the opening up of the waterfront area where there are opportunities to interpret the internationally important bird species that use the Clyde.
• Undertake a feasibility study that examines the potential for developing small to medium scale visitor attractions along the waterfront to provide information on the natural and cultural heritage of the area.
• Ensure that new development does not detrimentally affect species which have become dependant on vacant/derelict land. Mitigation to ensure the continued success of urban based species should be a priority when considering development proposals.
• A re-evaluation and classification of the SINC sites should be undertaken. The landscape and environment have changed since the previous designation of sites in 1992 and 1999. Re-evaluation would allow a more robust picture of the current network of sites that should be considered as SINCs to be developed.
• Undertake a strategic plan for SUDS across the new development areas in Inverclyde – particularly the Riverside area and areas of new housing being developed by River Clyde Homes.
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8. STRONGER COMMUNITIES
INTRODUCTION 8.1. The Green Network in Inverclyde should help to promote social inclusion, sustainability and regeneration. The benefits of green and open spaces in promoting physical and mental well being can be significant, particularly in areas where social exclusion and deprivation are major issues. 8.2. Depopulation is also a major problem in the waterfront communities in Inverclyde. The development of a Green Network and its integration with a high quality built environment should help to encourage new people to live in the area as well as helping to keep existing residents. 8.3. The regeneration in the Riverside Inverclyde area will bring new employment and training opportunities for the people of Inverclyde. The majority of this redevelopment is focused on the waterfront zone, an area previously inaccessible because of the heavy industry located there. The legacy of this layout is overall poor connections between the established communities (mostly on the south side of the A8) and the waterfront. 8.4. Green and open space can also help to bring communities together. Quality greenspace can act as a catalyst for regeneration and help to provide common ground for communities to stake ownership of their neighbourhoods.
Benefits of the Future Green Network 8.5. As outlined in Chapter 3, there are significant problems with social exclusion, unemployment and poor quality environments. 8.6. The development of a Green Network in Inverclyde would have significant benefits for communities. These benefits will take a number of different forms:
• provide a network of integrated spaces that allows people to walk and cycle between destinations in a safe environment;
• bring local communities together in the planning, design and maintenance of greenspaces across Inverclyde;
• link to the ‘Safe Sustainable Communities’ objectives outlined in the Inverclyde Corporate Plan;
• reduce social exclusion and poor health by creating an attractive environment to live and work in. 8.7. The benefits of developing a high quality Green Network in Inverclyde are likely to be both short and long term. Improvement or regeneration of individual sites can have an almost immediate effect on the overall environmental quality of an area. These changes can also have longer term benefits to mental and physical well being of the local population.
45 Actions 8.8. The following section provides a set of Actions which should be undertaken to maximise the benefits to Stronger Communities of the future Green Network
• Projects such as the redevelopment of Coronation Park in Port Glasgow have strong community backing and should be supported where possible by Inverclyde Council and its partners as part of the overall development and improvement of the Green Network.
• The Green Network Steering Group should support local community groups that are developing plans for greenspace projects. Support should be given by providing advice, and where possible, staff time.
• The Green Network Steering Group should work with River Clyde Homes to identify where there is potential to use vacant and derelict land for activities such as Street Football. Identifying positive uses for otherwise derelict sites should be a priority.
• The Green Network Steering Group should develop a programme to involve schools in ‘green’ projects such as Eco-schools to promote sustainability and the benefits of the Green Network.
• Lower Clyde Greenspace should identify an annual programme for volunteer based activities. Basing these around locally important greenspaces should help to key into existing strong community identities that exist across Inverclyde.
• The development of new elements of the Green Network should be informed by the active engagement of communities in its design and planning. The Inverclyde Alliance has already begun the process of community engagement through the development of the community plan and this process should be continued.
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9. HEALTH IMPROVEMENT
INTRODUCTION 9.1. Inverclyde’s population scores consistently poorly on most measures of health and wellbeing. The Health Context section of Chapter 3 shows that there are significant pockets of unhealthy populations in Greenock and Port Glasgow in particular. 9.2. A healthy population is both physically and mentally well. Populations with high levels of social exclusion, such as those present in parts of Inverclyde, often suffer higher than average levels of depression and related mental problems. Combined with the higher prevalence of conditions such as heart disease and strokes, the need to address health improvement is a priority for Inverclyde. Benefits of the Future Green Network 9.3. Greenspace has been shown to provide a range of benefits for the health of a population and promoting healthy living. • High quality open spaces can encourage greater physical activity amongst the population; helping to reduce the impacts of obesity, heart disease and strokes. • A high quality Green Network can promote mental well being by creating an attractive environment that is pleasant to live in. • A high quality Green Network can promote healthy living through developing green and open spaces as community resources. • A high quality Green Network can promote healthier diets by encouraging local people and community groups to grow their own vegetables in allotments. • The development of the future Green Network should also help to fulfil the Strategic Objective 2 of the Inverclyde Corporate Plan. Actions 9.4. The following section provides a set of Actions which should be undertaken to maximise the benefits to Health Improvement of the future Green Network. • Develop information outlining the potential health benefits of the Green Network both on the ground, through leaflets and on the internet. This information should be distributed through locations such as doctors’ surgeries and libraries. • The Green Network Steering Group should identify sites and communities/groups/organisations that would be interested in using existing greenspace for community gardens/allotment space. This could be linked to wider healthy living initiatives in schools or colleges to engage young people. • The development of health walks and associated literature and the support of health walk groups is a key target for the Green Network. Support for projects both financially and in terms of professional time are vital to their continued success.
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10. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION 10.1. The economic regeneration of Inverclyde is one of the key objectives of the Riverside Inverclyde (RI) Urban Regeneration Company. RI aims to deliver 2,500 new jobs to the area as well as increase the average wage, increased number of employers and an increase in tourism. The development of the Green Network in Inverclyde has a potentially important role to play in supporting the achievement of these objectives over the next decade.
Benefits of the Future Green Network 10.2. The Green Network has the potential to contribute to the enterprise development theme in a number of ways.
• Provide a high quality environment to help attract new business investment to the area.
• Make Inverclyde a more attractive place for people coming to work, helping to encourage higher levels of staff recruitment and retention.
• Provide opportunities for training and employment of local people through the construction and maintenance of the Green Network.
• Improve the recreational and tourism facilities in Inverclyde to encourage more visitors, which in turn would bring economic benefits.
Actions 10.3. The following section provides a set of Actions which should be undertaken to maximise the benefits to Enterprise Development of the future Green Network.
• Improve environmental quality and appearance of the Green Network elements of the A8 corridor through Inverclyde to give a more positive impression of the area on entering it.
• Raise awareness amongst investors and the business community about the importance of the Green Network as an attractor for employees and other potential investors by developing promotional material for business investment that supports Inverclyde as a place to invest because of the quality of its natural environment. Work with Scottish Enterprise to identify opportunities for maximising the potential of the materials when they are developed.
• The Green Network Steering Group should seek to use the development and improvement of the Green Network as a vehicle to develop training and volunteering schemes for local people. There is particular scope for involving the construction industry in developing apprenticeship schemes and programmes for long term maintenance.
49 • Develop materials (leaflets, web based, etc.) to promote the Green Network of Inverclyde as a visitor attraction and resource in its own right. Promotional materials should be readily available at locations such as train stations and ferry terminals. The potential of attracting visitors to the area from cruise ships should also be explored.
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11. ACTION PLAN
Introduction 11.1. The previous chapters have identified a range of Actions that should be undertaken to deliver a Green Network for Inverclyde. The following table identifies spatially where these Actions are important; their relative priority; suggested timescale for implementation; and suggested partners for their delivery.
Potential Action Priority Timescale Partners Greenock Inverclyde Inverclyde North West Wider Rural Rural Villages Rural Villages Port Glasgow / Port Glasgow Coastal Villages Inverclyde Council should utilise the Integrated IC; SNH; Habitat Network study and datasets when assessing Private High Permanent all planning applications to identify the potential for 9 9 9 9 9 sectors creating and extending habitats on a site by site basis. The Green Network Steering Group should work IC, SNH, RI, with the LBAP Officer to identify biodiversity based River Clyde Medium Short/Medium projects that can have ecological and community Homes, benefits for Inverclyde. CMRP Raise awareness of the natural environment around Inverclyde through the installation of interpretation and the development of the Green Network. Inverclyde has a high quality resource in terms of the IC, SNH, In line with flora and fauna that is of interest but there is very RSPB, FCS, Medium opportunities as they little information or interpretation available relating to 9 9 CMRP develop it across the area. This is particularly relevant with the opening up of the waterfront area where there are opportunities to interpret the internationally important bird species that use the Clyde. Undertake a feasibility study that examines the IC, RI, Low Medium/Long potential for developing small to medium scale visitor 9 9 Scottish
51 Potential Action Priority Timescale Partners Greenock Inverclyde Inverclyde North West Wider Rural Rural Villages Rural Villages Port Glasgow / Port Glasgow Coastal Villages attractions along the waterfront to provide Enterprise, information on the natural and cultural heritage of the SNH, CMRP area. Ensure that new development does not detrimentally affect species which have become dependant on vacant/derelict land. Mitigation to ensure the 9 9 IC, SNH High Permanent continued success of urban based species should be a priority when considering development proposals. A re-evaluation and classification of the SINC sites should be undertaken. The landscape and environment have changed since the previous designation of sites in 1992 and 1999. Re-evaluation 9 9 9 9 9 IC Medium Medium/Long would allow a more robust picture of the current network of sites that should be considered as SINCs to be developed. Undertake a strategic plan for SUDS across the new IC, RI, River development areas in Inverclyde – particularly the Clyde High Short/Medium Riverside area and areas of new housing being 9 9 Homes developed by River Clyde Homes. Projects such as the redevelopment of Coronation IC, RI, River Park in Port Glasgow have strong community backing Clyde In line with and should be supported where possible by Inverclyde Homes’ Medium/High opportunities as they Council and its partners as part of the overall 9 Lower develop development and improvement of the Green Clyde Network. Greenspace The Green Network Steering Group should support IC, local community groups that are developing plans for Inverclyde In line with greenspace projects. Support should be given by Leisure, Medium opportunities as they providing advice, and where possible, staff time. 9 9 9 9 9 Lower develop Clyde Greenspace
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Potential Action Priority Timescale Partners Greenock Inverclyde Inverclyde North West Wider Rural Rural Villages Rural Villages Port Glasgow / Port Glasgow Coastal Villages The Green Network Steering Group should work with River Clyde Homes to identify where there is IC, RI, River potential to use vacant and derelict land for activities 9 9 Clyde High Short such as Street Football. Identifying positive uses for Homes, otherwise derelict sites should be a priority. The Green Network Steering Group should develop a IC, Lower programme to involve schools in ‘green’ projects such Clyde Medium Short/Medium as Eco-schools to promote sustainability and the 9 9 9 9 Greenspace, benefits of the Green Network. RI Lower Clyde Greenspace should identify an annual IC, Lower programme for volunteer based activities. Basing Clyde these around locally important greenspaces should 9 9 Greenspace, High Permanent help to key into existing strong community identities Community that exist across Inverclyde. Councils The development of new elements of the Green Network should be informed by the active IC, Lower engagement of communities in its design and planning. Clyde The Inverclyde Alliance has already begun the process 9 9 9 9 9 Greenspace, High Permanent of community engagement through the development Community of the community plan and this process should be Councils continued. Develop information outlining the potential health benefits of the Green Network both on the ground, through leaflets and on the internet. This information 9 9 IC, NHS, Medium Permanent should be distributed through locations such as doctors’ surgeries and libraries. The Green Network Steering Group should identify IC, Lower sites and communities/groups/organisations that Clyde would be interested in using existing greenspace for 9 9 9 9 Greenspace, High Short/Medium community gardens/allotment space. This could be Community linked to wider healthy living initiatives in schools or Councils,
53 Potential Action Priority Timescale Partners Greenock Inverclyde Inverclyde North West Wider Rural Rural Villages Rural Villages Port Glasgow / Port Glasgow Coastal Villages colleges to engage young people. The development of health walks, associated IC, NHS, literature and the support of health walk groups is a Lower key target for the Green Network. Support for Clyde projects both financially and in terms of professional Greenspace, High Medium time are vital to their continued success. 9 9 Paths to Health, James Watt College Improve environmental quality and appearance of the Green Network elements of the A8 corridor through IC, RI High Short/Medium Inverclyde to give a more positive impression of the 9 9 area on entering it. Raise awareness amongst investors and the business community about the importance of the Green Network as an attractor for employees and other potential investors by developing promotional IC, RI, material for business investment that supports 9 9 9 9 9 Scottish High Short/Medium Inverclyde as a place to invest because of the quality Enterprise of its natural environment. Work with Scottish Enterprise to identify opportunities for maximising the potential of the materials when they are developed. The Green Network Steering Group should seek to use the development and improvement of the Green IC, RI, Network as a vehicle to develop training and Scottish volunteering schemes for local people. There is 9 9 Enterprise, High Permanent particular scope for involving the construction Private industry in developing apprenticeship schemes and Sector programmes for long term maintenance. Develop materials (leaflets, web based, etc.) to IC, RI, High Permanent promote the Green Network of Inverclyde as a 9 9 9 9 9 VisitScotland
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Potential Action Priority Timescale Partners Greenock Inverclyde Inverclyde North West Wider Rural Rural Villages Rural Villages Port Glasgow / Port Glasgow Coastal Villages visitor attraction and resource in its own right. Promotional materials should be readily available at locations such as train stations and ferry terminals. The potential of attracting visitors to the area from cruise ships should also be explored.
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12. SPATIAL PRIORITIES
INTRODUCTION 12.1. This section of the Green Network Study identifies priorities for the future Green Network in an ‘action zone’ framework. Five distinct Green Network Zones have been identified through analysis of their physical and socio-economic characteristics; these are: • The Coastal Villages; • North West Inverclyde; • Port Glasgow / Greenock; • The Rural Villages; and • Wider Rural Inverclyde. 12.2. The following map shows the location of the Green Network Zones.
57 12.3. The following pages provide a brief description of the characteristics of each zone and their key greenspaces. 12.4. In order to develop proposals for each Green Network Zone, an analysis of the current greenspace network was undertaken. This led to the identification of a ‘Green Network Hierarchy’ using the guidance in the Greenspace Quality Assessment Guide by Greenspace Scotland3. 12.5. Sites which were identified as being important at a Settlement or Regional/Authority wide level have been identified for each Green Network Zone. In addition, discrete sites that were identified as being regionally important have been reviewed using the framework outlined in the Greenspace Quality Assessment Guide. The findings of these reviews can be found in Appendix 1.
Area Wide Green Network Elements 12.6. In addition to the strategic Green Network elements identified in each Zone, there are a number of larger or linear elements that have been identified as settlement wide or regionally important. These are identified in the table below:
Name Hierarchy Level
National Cycle Route 75 Regional
Coastal Route Regional
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Regional
Port Glasgow / Greenock Waterfront Regional
RCH Demolition Sites Regional
3 http://www.gcvgreennetwork.gov.uk/downloads/completed_reports/qualityguide.pdf
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The Coastal Villages
Description 12.7. The villages of Weymss Bay and Inverkip are located on the south western coast of Inverclyde. 12.8. Until relatively recently, Inverkip was a relatively small village centred on its attractive historic core. A number of new residential developments have expanded the village since the 1970s, drawing on the assets of high quality transport links and the highly successful Kip Marina to attract buyers. Unlike many other parts of Inverclyde, the population growth in the town is expected to continue, not least because of further housing development connected to the marina. 12.9. Inverkip remains a popular location for visitors to the area due to its proximity to high quality attractions, such as the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and the early 19th century designed landscape at Ardgowan House, and convenient transport links. 12.10. Weymss Bay has a similar character to Inverkip, in that it too is a small residential seaside town. The village has traditionally been popular with visitors, and more particularly day trippers, as a result of its railway link and its role as the ferry terminal for sailings to the Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
59 Issues 12.11. Both villages are significantly less deprived than much of Inverclyde. Given their rural locations and tourism-based economies they have been less susceptible to the vagaries in economy than the industrial communities in northern Inverclyde. This, and the preponderance of out-commuting workers, has resulted in a relatively secure socioeconomic base. 12.12. The pattern of new development around the settlements has tended to be concentrated inland from Inverkip, raising concerns about the accessibility of these communities, particularly in terms of connections with the village centres. There is also the potential for developments, particularly those around the marina, to exclude local people from the housing market by focussing on high-earning boat owners and commuters.
Green Network Elements 12.13. The following green and open spaces have been identified as being important at a settlement or regional/authority wide level.
Location Name Hierarchy Level
WEY Weymss Bay Woodland Settlement and Terraced Garden
WEY Inverkip Power Station Settlement
INV Daff Glen Settlement
INV Inverkip Football Pitch / Settlement Bowling Green
INV Lunderston Bay Regional/Authority
Priorities 12.14. The following priorities have been identified for the Coastal Villages Green Network Zone. These should be undertaken by the Green Network Steering Group:
• Develop and install interpretation outlining the historic and cultural significance of Weymss Bay Woodland and the Terraced Gardens.
• Continue to develop the Coastal Path, ensuring new development at Inverkip Power Station provides high quality access and a continuous route.
• Promote the extension of the NCR to Lunderston Bay and continue to work in partnership with the CMRPA to identify ways to improve facilities at the site.
• Conduct invasive species surveys and undertake eradication measures.
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North West Inverclyde
Description 12.15. Gourock, which forms the western extremity of the Inverclyde conurbation, is the principal settlement in the North West Inverclyde action zone. The town has a long tradition of association with the tourist industry, as a major rail and ferry terminal. However, the industrial heritage of the town includes herring curing, copper mining, ropemaking, quarrying and, latterly, yacht-building and maintenance. 12.16. The town has not, on the whole, suffered to the same extent as the rest of urban Inverclyde from the effects of post-industrial decline as a result of a more diverse economic base. 12.17. Central Gourock has recently been the focus of regeneration initiatives including the development of new leisure and retail attractions, an integrated transport interchange and new residential developments. There are also significant commercial and industrial interests extending to the southwest of the town along the Spango Valley.
Issues 12.18. Although socioeconomic conditions are better in Gourock than the majority of northern Inverclyde, there are still significant levels of social exclusion and deprivation in a number of communities.
61 Green Network Elements 12.19. The following green and open spaces have been identified as being important at a settlement or regional/authority wide level.
Location Name Hierarchy Level
GOU Tower Hill Settlement
GOU Gourock Esplanade Regional/Authority
GOU Gourock Park Settlement
GOU Battery Park Regional/Authority
GOU Cardwell Bay Settlement
GOU Coves Reservoirs LNR Regional/Authority
GOU Lyle Hill Regional/Authority
GOU Lyle Park Settlement
Priorities 12.20. The following priorities have been identified for the North West Inverclyde Zone. These should be undertaken by the Green Network Steering Group:
• Identify a programme of events for use of spaces such as Gourock Park for events like the Highland Games to help encourage greater use by local people and visitors.
• Work with Community Councils to identify potential ‘Friends of’ groups to help engage the local community and foster ownership of sites.
• Develop and install interpretation and signage to highlight and explain the biodiversity value of sites such as the Coves Reservoirs and the Clyde Estuary (from sites such as Battery Park).
• Create a series of interpreted viewing points at locations such as Lyle Hill, Battery Park and Tower Hill to foster understanding of the natural and cultural heritage of the area.
• Conduct invasive species surveys and undertake eradication measures.
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Port Glasgow / Greenock
Description 12.21. Greenock is the largest town in Inverclyde, located in the centre of the coastal conurbation. The town retains much of the infrastructure associated with the ship- building industry and port, although in recent years much of the historically maritime- focussed coastal zone has been redeveloped for business and commercial uses. In addition to the economic and social benefits of regeneration, many of these initiatives are vital in securing the future of the area’s unique industrial legacy – including the James Watt Dock and sugar warehouses. 12.22. Greenock contains a number of fine 19th century buildings relating to its heritage as a prosperous centre of trade and industry, including the Customs House, the Victoria Tower and the municipal buildings. 12.23. Port Glasgow shares a similar recent history to Greenock, having become a centre of shipbuilding during the 19th century. Although the port was originally vital for transhipment of goods from the Clyde estuary into the City of Glasgow, deepening of the river and the development of rail and improved road links diminished its importance. Today, only one of the town’s shipyards remains, producing small commercial ship, notably ferries for Caledonian MacBrayne. 12.24. Regeneration in Port Glasgow has focussed around the development of manufacturing and service industries.
63 Issues 12.25. Along with Port Glasgow, Greenock has suffered significant levels of population decline since the industrial heyday of the 1960s. Despite the regeneration efforts the legacy of unemployment and exclusion created by the loss of traditional industries continue to be a significant issue. Some communities in the area rank amongst the most deprived in Scotland. Rates of ill health and long-term sickness are also far higher than the national average, worsening the impact of other social issues. Substance abuse, crime and the fear of crime are also factors across many communities which, along with the physical decay of housing stock, contribute to an impression of neighbourhood failure. 12.26. Access to quality greenspace and the promotion of outdoor recreation are particularly important in this area, given the rates of ill health and relatively low rates of car ownership which may prevent people making use of more distance leisure facilities.
Green Network Elements 12.27. The following green and open spaces have been identified as being important at a settlement or regional/authority wide level.
Location Name Hierarchy Level
GRE Greenock Cemetery Regional/Authority
GRE Former ABC flats site Settlement
GRE Town Dams Settlement
GRE Rankin Park Settlement
GRE Wellington Park Settlement
GRE Well Park Settlement
GRE Auchmountain Glen Settlement
GRE Helter Skelter Settlement
GRE Lady Octavia Park – Settlement Blairmore – Gibshill West
GRE Puggy Line Regional/Authority
PG Devol Glen Settlement
PG Birkmyre Park Settlement
PG Coronation Park Regional/Authority
PG Newark Castle Settlement/Authority
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Location Name Hierarchy Level
PG Kelburn Park Settlement/Authority
PG Parklea Settlement/Authority
PG Port Glasgow Cemetery Settlement
PG Woodhall Regeneration Settlement Initiative Area
Priorities 12.28. The following priorities have been identified for the Port Glasgow/Greenock Zone. These should be undertaken by the Green Network Steering Group:
• Upgrade and improve the access routes towards Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park that locations such as Auchmountain Glen, the Helter-skelter and Devol Glen provide. • Engage with local communities and groups to encourage use of sites such as the Town Dams to engender local ownership of sites. • Identify opportunities for improvements to greenspaces which could be funded by utilising planning gain contributions by developers through developing Green Network Masterplans. • Work with Community Councils to identify locations which could be utilised as community spaces and gardens, even on a temporary basis. • Conduct invasive species surveys and undertake eradication measures. • Support local community initiatives such as the one for Coronation Park that aim to reinvigorate existing resources. • Improve access along the coast at locations such as Newark Castle Park, and where possible provide robust interpretive materials explaining the international importance of the wetland habitats in the Clyde Estuary. • Improve accessibility to, and interpret, local level natural heritage features such as the waterfalls at Woodhall. If interpreted in a consistent way, local features could form a network of low level attractions which could help to create local identities for communities and form important elements of the future Green Network.
65 The Rural Villages
Description 12.29. The rural villages of eastern Inverclyde stand in marked contrast to the urban areas of the littoral zone. Unlike their larger neighbours, Kilmacolm and Quarrier’s Village are set within a mosaic of farmland and forestry and have a distinct character, even from neighbouring settlements. 12.30. Kilmacolm expanded as a dormitory settlement for Glasgow with the arrival of the railways in the 19th century, and continues to be a desirable location for wealthy commuters. Quarrier’s Village has a rather different history, as it was founded in 1876 by philanthropist William Quarrier to provide homes for orphaned children in a more stimulated setting than the grim urban orphanages of the day. 12.31. Both villages continue to be important commuter settlements and, despite intense development pressure, neither has expanded at the rate of neighbouring towns and villages as land releases have been limited. Quarrier’s Village has been subject to large-scale development to convert and refurbish the impressive institutional buildings that formed part of the children’s care facility. 12.32. The Paisley to Greenock cycle route passes through the villages, forming an important and popular local resource for recreation and sustainable transport.
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Issues 12.33. In socioeconomic terms, both Quarrier’s Village and especially Kilmacolm are entirely unlike the majority of Inverclyde. Both are prosperous villages with few, if any, social issues, with well-educated and highly mobile populations.
Green Network Elements Location Name Hierarchy Level
KIL Birkmyre Park Settlement
KIL Knapps Loch Settlement
KIL Glen Moss Settlement
Priorities 12.34. The following priorities have been identified for the Rural Villages Zone. These should be undertaken by the Green Network Steering Group:
• Develop and implement an interpretation strategy for natural heritage features in and around the villages.
• Conduct invasive species surveys and undertake eradication measures.
67 Wider Rural Inverclyde
Description 12.35. Although the majority of Inverclyde’s population lives in the coastal conurbation, the bulk of the land area is made up of the rural hinterland. This is an area of varied environments, changing from the rolling farmland and forestry of the lowland areas to the rugged moorland of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park which covers more than 100 square miles. 12.36. The Regional Park is an important recreational resource and is accessible from a number of heavily urbanised areas. Recent Lottery-funded improvements to facilities along the Greenock Cut has greatly improved the access and recreation potential of the area. Strategically placed visitor centres act as gateways to the park, provide interpretation facilities and provide a base for structured activities run by the Ranger Service. 12.37. In addition to its role as an education and leisure resource, the park is also a major environmental asset, with much of the moorland area designated SSSI for its breeding populations of hen harrier. The close-circuit television feeds from harrier nest sites are a significant attraction at the Muirshiel visitor centre during the summer months.
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Issues 12.38. There are no settlements of any significant size in rural Inverclyde, the population being dispersed amongst the many farms. This contributes to a rather different suite of issues than those experienced in the urban areas. As the population is much dispersed, transport connections and facilities are poor. Although land release around settlements such as Kilmacolm has historically been very limited, development pressure in the area remains high as the popularity of the area for commuters continues to grow. In addition to promoting unsustainable travel, this has the potential to place additional strain on narrow and tortuous rural roads and to stretch limited rural services. Although access to greenspace is less of an issue for people living in the countryside, it is not currently possible for such residents to make use of more formal facilities without private transport.
Priorities 12.39. The following priorities have been identified for the Wider Rural Inverclyde Zone. These should be undertaken by the Green Network Steering Group:
• Work with CMRPA to identify and develop improved access to the Regional Park from the settlements in Inverclyde.
• Develop a strategy for community involvement in developing understanding of natural and cultural heritage features.
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13. DELIVERY MECHANISMS
INTRODUCTION 13.1. This section of the chapter provides more detailed guidance on the ‘tools’ that are required to implement the Inverclyde Green Network Study. They are grouped under a series of headings: • Process; • Planning; • Funding. Process 13.2. Preparation of the Study represents the first step towards developing a coordinated Green Network for Inverclyde. A series of ongoing actions should help ensure that development of the Green Network becomes a priority for all those organisations involved in planning and implementing regeneration of Inverclyde. This requires partnership working, measures to raise awareness, monitoring the Study’s implementation and the benefits flowing from it and the involvement of existing and new communities.
Partnership and Co-ordination 13.3. It is critical that the Green Network Study gains the support of all the organisations that have a role in delivering the Green Network in Inverclyde. This includes all departments of Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde, River Clyde Homes, SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland plus a number of local organisations and partnerships. 13.4. It is equally important that the aims of the Study are communicated within each of the partner organisations, particularly where a number of different departments or services are involved in Inverclyde. Development of the Green Network crosses many policy agendas so the success of the Study will depend on co-ordinated action between and within partner organisations. 13.5. The mechanism for achieving this may be a new Steering Group, based on the organisations that combined to deliver this Green Network Study or it could be integrated into an existing partnership such as the Safe and Sustainable Communities Thematic Group established by Inverclyde Alliance, or the Sustainability Officer’s Group facilitated by the Council. 13.6. It will be essential to establish links with other plans and strategies, many of which predate the current regeneration proposals for Inverclyde. Partnership working can help ensure that future reviews or revisions to such documents reflect fully the objectives of the Green Network Study. Key policy links will include: • Local Development Plans; • Access Strategies; • Open Space Strategies;
71 • Social Inclusion; • Health; • Enterprise Development; • Economic Regeneration; • Local Biodiversity Action Plans; • Local Transport Strategies; and • Environment Strategies.
Raising Awareness 13.7. The success of the Study depends on all those involved in the development and regeneration process being aware of the opportunities and potential benefits associated with the Green Network. The introduction to this document described the range of benefits associated with the development of high quality open spaces. 13.8. It is vital that these messages are communicated to key interests within partner organisations, development interests and the wider community. This could be achieved in a variety of ways including which can be defined under two main headings: Developing Understanding and Creating Capacity to Implement. The following section outlines the ways in which these aspects of raising awareness can be achieved:
• a glossy summary of the Green Network Study highlighting the national and strategic policy context and the ways in which open space can support place- making, investment, vibrant communities, healthy lifestyles, sustainable urban drainage and biodiversity would help to Develop Understanding. This could be accompanied by a website / DVD;
• events such as CPD seminars, workshops and conferences, focusing specifically on those organisations involved in the regeneration of Inverclyde, exploring application of the Green Network Study and gaining experience from green infrastructure projects elsewhere in the UK or Europe would help to Develop Understanding;
• ongoing monitoring and evaluation of open space projects within Inverclyde. This should focus on the extent to which greenspace standards are being delivered in new development, together with a more qualitative assessment of the range of benefits flowing from implementation of the Study. This could draw on the Greenspace Scotland LEAP evaluation process, together with the evaluation of other projects (e.g. economic benefits associated with Glasgow Green).
Community Involvement 13.9. It is vital that existing and new communities are brought into the process of greenspace planning. This will help to ensure that greenspace is designed and managed to reflect local needs and priorities, as well as building local ‘ownership’ of the Green Network.
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13.10. Community involvement will be particularly important in relation to the creation of neighbourhood level greenspaces, including play facilities and community nature reserves. The long term success of sites such as these has been shown to be closely linked to the involvement and ‘ownership’ of the local community. Sites that are developed and monitored by local communities are less likely to be subject to vandalism and are generally more sustainable. 13.11. Greenspace Scotland provides links to a range of toolkits covering community involvement, prepared by Communities Scotland and the Scottish Centre for Regeneration. In addition organisations such as Lower Clyde Greenspace have many years experience working in the area and could provide useful advice.
PLANNING 13.12. The land use planning system will provide one of the most effective means of implementing the Inverclyde Green Network Study. This section covers the following aspects of the planning system:
• Supplementary Planning Guidance;
• Development control / management. 13.13. It also provides information on Greenspace Standards which may inform different stages of the planning process. 13.14. A review of the current planning policy context is located in Appendix 2.
Supplementary Planning Guidance
13.15. Supplementary planning guidance can be prepared by councils to complement Local Plan policies. It can be useful where:
• there is a need for an urgent policy response to an emerging issue; or
• a greater level of detail is required than would be appropriate within the local plan. 13.16. Supplementary guidance carries less weight than development plan policies but will be material considerations in planning decisions. Supplementary planning guidance can comprise specific policy statements, masterplans or development briefs. 13.17. The Glasgow Clyde Valley Structure Plan Team and Green Network Partnership are currently developing Supplementary Planning Guidance and a spatial framework for the GCV area. 13.18. Masterplans can be used to good effect in areas where additional planning guidance is required for major development or regeneration projects. They can be particularly effective where the scale and complexity of development requires a detailed framework to co-ordinate action and investment. This will provide a framework within which developers will be expected to operate, and a material consideration that will help inform the development control process.
73 Development Management 13.19. Development management, or development control as it is also known, is the process by which applications for planning consent are considered by planning authorities. Applications are assessed against the policies (including any relevant criteria) contained in strategic and local plans. The extent to which they reflect any supplementary planning guidance will also be taken into account, so it will be advantageous if the SPG being developed by the GCV Structure Plan Team is adopted. 13.20. Most planning approvals are granted subject to conditions. These are enforceable requirements placed on developers and can be used to ensure that key aspects of a development, such as the provision and subsequent maintenance of greenspace, are provided to an agreed timetable and standard. 13.21. Consideration should be given to the following criteria:
• the type of greenspace to be provided;
• the amount of greenspace to be provided;
• the provision of facilities such as paths or play equipment;
• the provision of landscaping and planting, including any specific habitat conservation or creation measures;
• the provision of connections with surrounding roads and paths;
• the requirement to protect existing trees or replace any felled trees; and
• the requirement to ensure appropriate maintenance for an agreed period. 13.22. Planning agreements (often termed Section 75 agreements) can also be used. They are legal agreements which pass with ownership of the land and are often used in relation to more positive measures, such as the creation of new greenspace as a form of planning gain.
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APPENDIX 1 Green Network Hierarchy Analysis
INVERCLYDE REGIONAL RESOURCES EVALUATION
Lunderston Bay
Lunderston Bay is located on the A770 Cloch Road, between Inverkip in the south and Gourock to the north-east. The attraction is a sandy beach with grass area and car park behind. The site has picnic facilities, coastal walks, is linked to the cycle network and has the Cardwell Garden centre on the other side of the A770.
Ranking Table Table 1 shows that in terms of accessibility Lunderston Bay had poor paths and disabled facilities. Being located beside the A770 allows the site to be accessed by car and by bus (with a local service stopping at Lundertson). The cycle network passes between the car park and the beach and the site can be easily accessed by foot from Gourock. Lunderston is resource efficient in that the site requires little from the landscape and has little impact on surroundings. The Firth of Clyde, beach and forest behind provide a variety of habitats but it is difficult to gauge whether the site can sustain wildlife populations or whether the balance is correct between habitat protection and access. The bay is a prominent part of the surrounding landscape, standing out against the forested backdrop. The site has potential to offer more for supporting health and well being. There is ample space, with a large grass area that could be better utilised, particularly for children. Currently the walking and cycle paths provide the only actual facilities for active health pursuits. The site’s isolation gives it a sense of safety, there is an open road entrance and most of the site can be seen from the car park.
Accessible and Well Ranking Attractive/Appealing Ranking Biodiverse supporting Ranking Active Supporting Ranking Community Ranking Connected Places ecological networks Health/Well being Supported Well located close to 2 community Meets DDA 1 Attractive with 3 requirements/disabled positive image user needs Provide surfaced high 1 Attractive setting for - Contribute positively to 2 quality paths urban areas biodiversity Connects with other 4 Quality materials, 1 Large enough to sustain - Provides places for 3 transport modes equipment/furniture wildlife populations outdoor activities Allows movement in & 3 Attractive 1 Offers a diversity of 3 Diverse play, sport 2 Safe & Welcoming 4 between places plants/landscape habitats & recreational elements opportunities Accessible entrances in 3 Welcoming 2 Part of the wider 3 Providing places for 3 Good levels of natural 3 the right places boundaries/entrance landscape social interaction surveillance areas structure/setting Offers connecting path 2 Facilities in clean, safe 2 Connects with wider 2 Appropriate, high 2 No evidence anti- 3 network & signage & usable condition green networks quality facilities social behaviour meeting needs Low levels of litter & 4 Balance between habitat - Appropriate 3 Appropriate lighting - adequate bins protection & access facilities for levels location/size Well maintained 2 Resource efficient 3 Carefully sited 1 Sense of local 2 facilities for a range identity/place of ages Adaptable to 4 Good routes to wider 2 changing needs/uses community facilities Distinctive & 3 memorable places Catering for range of 2 functions/activities Community - involvement in management Table 1 Lunderston Bay Criteria for Quality Assessment
Gourock Esplanade
Gourock Esplanade faces onto the Firth of Clyde located between the Ferry ports of Mc Inroy’s Point and Kempock Point, and lying parallel to the A770. The esplanade has off-road car parking and benches (as shown above), there is also shrub planting. The Esplanade is highly accessible due to the fact that it runs beside the main road connecting Gourock with Greenock, parking and bus-stops mean that motorised transport is straight forward. However there are also pavements and the National Cycle route running alongside, allowing more sustainable enjoyment. Disabled access is tempered as benches are on raised grass, without provision for wheelchairs. The Esplanade allows the housing behind unobstructed views across the Firth, the site is also well maintained helping its image for passers by. Facilities are sturdy and well maintained, with little evidence of litter. The site is a thin strip of modest size and it is inappropriate for wildlife habitat or sustaining populations. It does form an important part of the structure in Gourock. Again the size of the site hinders potential for recreation, play or sports. For the purpose of enjoying a stroll and meeting friends the Esplanade fulfils a role. The Esplanade is very open and lighting will be provided by street lights from the A770. The views are spectacular and add to the experience of visiting the site and the sense of identity and place. Being part of a thoroughfare through Gourock the Esplanade fulfils another role. There does not appear to be scope for catering for a range of functions, although a possibility could be to open the site down to the water itself.
Accessible and Well Ranking Attractive/Appealing Ranking Biodiverse supporting Ranking Active Supporting Ranking Community Ranking Connected Places ecological networks Health/Well being Supported Well located close to 5 community Meets DDA 2 Attractive with 4 requirements/disabled positive image user needs Provide surfaced high 4 Attractive setting for 4 Contribute positively to 2 quality paths urban areas biodiversity Connects with other 4 Quality materials, 3 Large enough to sustain - Provides places for 2 transport modes equipment/furniture wildlife populations outdoor activities Allows movement in & 4 Attractive 3 Offers a diversity of - Diverse play, sport - Safe & Welcoming 4 between places plants/landscape habitats & recreational elements opportunities Accessible entrances in 4 Welcoming 3 Part of the wider 4 Providing places for 4 Good levels of natural 3 the right places boundaries/entrance landscape social interaction surveillance areas structure/setting Offers connecting path 4 Facilities in clean, safe 3 Connects with wider 2 Appropriate, high 3 No evidence anti- 2 network & signage & usable condition green networks quality facilities social behaviour meeting needs Low levels of litter & 2 Balance between habitat - Appropriate 3 Appropriate lighting 4 adequate bins protection & access facilities for levels location/size Well maintained 3 Resource efficient 3 Carefully sited 2 Sense of local 3 facilities for a range identity/place of ages Adaptable to 2 Good routes to wider 3 changing needs/uses community facilities Distinctive & 4 memorable places Catering for range of 2 functions/activities Community - involvement in management Table 2 Gourock Esplanade Criteria for Quality Assessment
Battery Park
Battery Park lies at the western edge of Greenock, adjacent to the A770 road and running right to the shore of the Firth of Clyde. The park has numerous facilities and is well maintained. The park is located within easy reach for populations of Greenock and Gourock and is also serviced by local bus routes. It achieves a good ranking for disabled access but could improve due to the fact that the eastern entrance is stepped. The path network allows circuits and for access/exits at either end. The park has large open grass areas with football and rugby pitches and a larger open area for informal recreation, both areas are well maintained. The park therefore appears exposed with trees and planting along paths but not elsewhere. The facilities of the play parks and the attached astro football pitches are in excellent condition. The park appears to be resource efficient given the nature of its contents, it also forms a significant part of the landscape setting of the western part of Greenock. Again it is difficult to quantify the wildlife impact, the nature of the site leans towards the contribution being minimal. In terms of supporting health/well-being the park is an excellent asset. The outdoor sports facilities: football (grass and astro), rugby and skate facility are placed alongside a large informal open space and two play parks. The play parks are enclosed and have good facilities with sand flooring. There is also ample space for seating and the pavilion for meeting people in bad weather. The range of facilities and the setting of the park make it noteworthy with local people likely to take pride in it. Being open the park has good natural surveillance and lighting is also in evidence. Routes through the path can be taken to the Pavilion and sports facilities and could provide a detour for those walking to sites on either side of the park.
Accessible and Well Ranking Attractive/Appealing Ranking Biodiverse supporting Ranking Active Supporting Ranking Community Ranking Connected Places ecological networks Health/Well being Supported Well located close to 5 community Meets DDA 3 Attractive with 5 requirements/disabled positive image user needs Provide surfaced high 5 Attractive setting for 4 Contribute positively to 2 quality paths urban areas biodiversity Connects with other 4 Quality materials, 4 Large enough to sustain - Provides places for 5 transport modes equipment/furniture wildlife populations outdoor activities Allows movement in & 4 Attractive 3 Offers a diversity of - Diverse play, sport 5 Safe & Welcoming 5 between places plants/landscape habitats & recreational elements opportunities Accessible entrances in 4 Welcoming 2 Part of the wider 4 Providing places for 5 Good levels of natural 4 the right places boundaries/entrance landscape social interaction surveillance areas structure/setting Offers connecting path 4 Facilities in clean, safe 4 Connects with wider 2 Appropriate, high 5 No evidence anti- 4 network & signage & usable condition green networks quality facilities social behaviour meeting needs Low levels of litter & 4 Balance between habitat - Appropriate 5 Appropriate lighting 3 adequate bins protection & access facilities for levels location/size Well maintained 4 Resource efficient 4 Carefully sited 5 Sense of local 3 facilities for a range identity/place of ages Adaptable to 5 Good routes to wider 4 changing needs/uses community facilities Distinctive & 5 memorable places Catering for range of 5 functions/activities Community - involvement in management Table 3 Battery Park Criteria for Quality Assessment
Coves Reservoir
Coves Reservoir is located in a dip between the Inverclyde Royal Hospital to the south west (pictured) and Lyle Hill to the east. There is a school, St Columba’s High school, to the immediate east of the reservoir. The reservoir is in a poor state, with litter a real problem. The potential for accessibility is high; the reservoir is close to a large housing scheme and the school. Paths are in a reasonable state and offer connections to other parts of the housing and a circuit back to the housing. However signage is non-existent, the reservoir is difficult to get to although there is a bus service. Disabled access would be very difficult. The potential for biodiversity is high, with the reservoir supporting birdlife (swans, mallards and coots) despite its poor condition. There is a large area of thick planting, some of which is fairly marshy. The reservoir and surroundings are a significant part of the landscape structure and setting, although the surroundings currently offer little use to anything; the site could therefore be more resource efficient. Again the site offers potential for use in supporting active health, the paths would provide good locations for jogging and walking with some work. There is also the water resource.
Accessible and Well Ranking Attractive/Appealing Ranking Biodiverse supporting Ranking Active Supporting Ranking Community Ranking Connected Places ecological networks Health/Well being Supported Well located close to 4 community Meets DDA 1 Attractive with 2 requirements/disabled positive image user needs Provide surfaced high 2 Attractive setting for 3 Contribute positively to 3 quality paths urban areas biodiversity Connects with other 2 Quality materials, 1 Large enough to sustain 4 Provides places for 1 transport modes equipment/furniture wildlife populations outdoor activities Allows movement in & 3 Attractive 2 Offers a diversity of 3 Diverse play, sport 2 Safe & Welcoming 1 between places plants/landscape habitats & recreational elements opportunities Accessible entrances in 3 Welcoming 2 Part of the wider 3 Providing places for 2 Good levels of natural 1 the right places boundaries/entrance landscape social interaction surveillance areas structure/setting Offers connecting path 3 Facilities in clean, safe 1 Connects with wider 3 Appropriate, high 1 No evidence anti- 2 network & signage & usable condition green networks quality facilities social behaviour meeting needs Low levels of litter & 1 Balance between habitat 2 Appropriate 1 Appropriate lighting 1 adequate bins protection & access facilities for levels location/size Well maintained 1 Resource efficient 2 Carefully sited 1 Sense of local 2 facilities for a range identity/place of ages Adaptable to 4 Good routes to wider 3 changing needs/uses community facilities Distinctive & 2 memorable places Catering for range of 2 functions/activities Community - involvement in management Table 4 Coves Reservoirs Criteria for Quality Assessment
Lyle Hill
Lyle Hill is a prominent landmark in Greenock, located to the west of the town. There is a viewpoint (pictured) which looks out over the forth and the hills to the north beyond. There is also a memorial to the ‘Free Sailors of France’ dating from the second- world war. These sites can be accessed by a steep road and there is off road parking, which appears popular for lunch breaks. Holes of Greenock Golf Course are on the other side of the road. The site is small but once there it is easy to wander around, there are paths and plenty of places to enjoy the views. The site is difficult to access, unless by car and, even then the road is not ideal, due to its steepness. The site is not accessible for disabled users due to the slope and the fact that the pavement is raised from the car park with no sloped access. The site is attractive in that it offers good views and the memorial is striking, it also appeared well used at the time of visit. However the facilities (viewpoint, pictured, benches, and public art) appear dated and in need of better maintenance, there was also a significant amount of litter. The site and the hill form a very important part of the landscape setting and structure it is difficult to gauge the biodiversity impact given the steepness of the slopes, the site of the view point could not be said to offer biodiversity impact. The site has adequate facilities given the nature of being a viewpoint on top of a hill. However unless arriving by car it is hard to rank the site on the other criteria, for example it is hard to see people arranging to cycle or walk up, if they have visited before. Natural surveillance is difficult from afar but if passing by car the site is quite open. There is no lighting and although the road circumnavigates the hill there are easier routes to take.
Accessible and Well Ranking Attractive/Appealing Ranking Biodiverse supporting Ranking Active Supporting Ranking Community Ranking Connected Places ecological networks Health/Well being Supported Well located close to 2 community Meets DDA 1 Attractive with 4 requirements/disabled positive image user needs Provide surfaced high 3 Attractive setting for - Contribute positively to - quality paths urban areas biodiversity Connects with other 1 Quality materials, 2 Large enough to sustain - Provides places for 1 transport modes equipment/furniture wildlife populations outdoor activities Allows movement in & 2 Attractive 2 Offers a diversity of - Diverse play, sport - Safe & Welcoming 3 between places plants/landscape habitats & recreational elements opportunities Accessible entrances in 3 Welcoming 2 Part of the wider 4 Providing places for 2 Good levels of natural 1 the right places boundaries/entrance landscape social interaction surveillance areas structure/setting Offers connecting path 1 Facilities in clean, safe 3 Connects with wider 1 Appropriate, high 2 No evidence anti- 3 network & signage & usable condition green networks quality facilities social behaviour meeting needs Low levels of litter & 3 Balance between habitat - Appropriate 3 Appropriate lighting - adequate bins protection & access facilities for levels location/size Well maintained 3 Resource efficient 3 Carefully sited 1 Sense of local 3 facilities for a range identity/place of ages Adaptable to 1 Good routes to wider 1 changing needs/uses community facilities Distinctive & 3 memorable places Catering for range of 1 functions/activities Community - involvement in management Table 5 Lyle Hill Criteria for Quality Assessment
Greenock Cemetery
Greenock Cemetery is a large site located on the southern slope of Lyle Hill. It can be accessed from Forsyth Street, Inverkip Road and Bow Road. The site has a number of wide tarmac paths which allow cars through the cemetery (unclear if this is the intention). There is a crematorium to the north of the site. The site is located close to housing and is accessible but at the same time it remains enclosed and quiet. It is easy to navigate with wide paths and allows visitors to wander around. Disabled access would be difficult due to the steepness of the paths, however the site can be accessed by car or motorised scooter. The site is attractive in that it is quiet with diverse planting and wide paths that allow exploration. Facilities that are provided (such as bins and benches) are in good condition and the maintenance is of a high standard, grass is cut and the tombstones appear well looked after. That said the cemetery is an old site and as a result maintenance is an on-going concern; some of the tombstones are unsafe and there was evidence of damage to trees. The site is of a sufficient size to contribute to biodiversity and to support wildlife populations; common urban species such as squirrels and bird-life were evident. The cemetery is a significant part of the landscape, covering a large part of the southern slope of Lyle Hill. The site is resource efficient as it is unlikely to change in any major way. The site is enclosed which affects the natural surveillance however it still feels safe, with wide paths opening the site up. The site appears well cared for and provides an important role for Greenock; the history and the site of the cemetery contribute positively to the sense of place. There is little evidence of anti-social behaviour, locking the site at night helps to ensure this.
Accessible and Well Ranking Attractive/Appealing Ranking Biodiverse supporting Ranking Active Supporting Ranking Community Ranking Connected Places ecological networks Health/Well being Supported Well located close to 4 community Meets DDA 1 Attractive with 4 requirements/disabled positive image user needs Provide surfaced high 4 Attractive setting for - Contribute positively to 3 quality paths urban areas biodiversity Connects with other 2 Quality materials, 3 Large enough to sustain 4 Provides places for - transport modes equipment/furniture wildlife populations outdoor activities Allows movement in & 3 Attractive 2 Offers a diversity of - Diverse play, sport - Safe & Welcoming 3 between places plants/landscape habitats & recreational elements opportunities Accessible entrances in 3 Welcoming 3 Part of the wider 3 Providing places for - Good levels of natural 2 the right places boundaries/entrance landscape social interaction surveillance areas structure/setting Offers connecting path 3 Facilities in clean, safe 3 Connects with wider 2 Appropriate, high - No evidence anti- 4 network & signage & usable condition green networks quality facilities social behaviour meeting needs Low levels of litter & 4 Balance between habitat - Appropriate - Appropriate lighting - adequate bins protection & access facilities for levels location/size Well maintained 4 Resource efficient 4 Carefully sited - Sense of local 3 facilities for a range identity/place of ages Adaptable to - Good routes to wider - changing needs/uses community facilities Distinctive & 3 memorable places Catering for range of - functions/activities Community - involvement in management Table 6 Greenock Cemetery Criteria for Quality Assessment
Coronation Park
Coronation Park is sited between the water front and the A8 at the eastern edge of Port Glasgow. The park is of a significant size with a large informal play/recreation grass area, a children’s play park, planting (as above) and benches looking out onto the water. There is a jetty which would allow boats to access the park. The site is very open with access at numerous points; walkers can detour through the park and continue west to Greenock. It is also located close to tenement flats and other housing, there is an issue with access in that the A8 is a major road and difficult to cross, the road runs between the housing and the park. Being adjacent to the A8 does mean that there are bus services that stop beside the park. Within the park paths are of a good quality, being wide and paved. This helps to improve disabled access. The park is evidently maintained and there is a low level of litter with appropriate bins provided. The play park facilities are in good condition and are closed off from the rest of the site. However the goal posts and football pitch are in a state of disrepair. Attempts have been made to make the park welcoming at the western end, with signage and flowers but this is not uniform throughout the site. The park is a significant size and forms part of the landscape of Port Glasgow; it is the only greenspace for the town but offers little for biodiversity or wildlife. Resource use is efficient but there is further potential. In terms of supporting health/well being the park fulfils a role for Port Glasgow. There is open space for informal recreation and seating for social interaction, with a promenade style area for views over the Firth of Clyde. The children’s play park is of good standard but there is little else for older children/teenagers. The park is certainly adaptable, with large areas of space performing no function. The park is welcoming in that it is open with excellent natural surveillance and little evidence of anti-social behaviour, there is also path lighting by the water front. The site has history shown by some of the features that are only evident by there foundations (such as bandstand).
Accessible and Well Ranking Attractive/Appealing Ranking Biodiverse supporting Ranking Active Supporting Ranking Community Ranking Connected Places ecological networks Health/Well being Supported Well located close to 3 community Meets DDA 3 Attractive with 3 requirements/disabled positive image user needs Provide surfaced high 4 Attractive setting for 3 Contribute positively to 2 quality paths urban areas biodiversity Connects with other 3 Quality materials, 3 Large enough to sustain - Provides places for 4 transport modes equipment/furniture wildlife populations outdoor activities Allows movement in & 3 Attractive 2 Offers a diversity of - Diverse play, sport 3 Safe & Welcoming 3 between places plants/landscape habitats & recreational elements opportunities Accessible entrances in 4 Welcoming 2 Part of the wider 3 Providing places for 4 Good levels of natural 4 the right places boundaries/entrance landscape social interaction surveillance areas structure/setting Offers connecting path 2 Facilities in clean, safe 3 Connects with wider 1 Appropriate, high 3 No evidence anti- 4 network & signage & usable condition green networks quality facilities social behaviour meeting needs Low levels of litter & 4 Balance between habitat - Appropriate 2 Appropriate lighting 3 adequate bins protection & access facilities for levels location/size Well maintained 4 Resource efficient 3 Carefully sited 3 Sense of local 3 facilities for a range identity/place of ages Adaptable to 3 Good routes to wider 2 changing needs/uses community facilities Distinctive & 2 memorable places Catering for range of 3 functions/activities Community - involvement in management
APPENDIX 2 Local Plan Policy Context
Development Plan Policies The Inverclyde Local Plan (2005) sets out a framework of land use within the Plan area and is based on the principles set out within the Structure Plan. It adheres to the following four dimensions, which support the aims of the Structure Plan, these are: ¾ Economic regeneration; ¾ Housing and community regeneration; ¾ A quality environment; and ¾ Place making and key locations The third and fourth topics are central to the provision high quality, locally distinctive, open space and to the achievement of the Structure Plan’s ‘Green Network’ obligations. For Inverclyde, priorities include the protection of the green belt and the scenic coastal fringe, as well as safeguarding and enhancing existing green spaces and improving access for all sections of society. The Plan acknowledges the important role that open spaces can play in the social, economic and physical generation of Inverclyde. Key policies which impact on the implementation of Green Networks in Inverclyde are:
• Policy LR1 Safeguarding Open Space Inverclyde Council, as Planning Authority, will support, safeguard and where practicable, enhance: o areas identified as ‘Open Space’ on the Proposals Map; * o other areas of open space of value in terms of their amenity to their surroundings and to the community and their function as wildlife corridors or wedges; and o where appropriate, encourage other relevant and compatible development for the purposes of leisure, recreation and sport.
• Policy LR2 Securing Open Space by Planning Agreements
o Where it is proposed to grant planning permission for development where open space or recreational facilities would be lost, the Council will seek to secure compensatory provision at another convenient local location using Section 75 agreements
• Policy LR3 Provision of Recreation and Sports Facilities
o Development of leisure, recreation and sports facilities within the built-up area will be assessed against potential social and environmental impacts and a ‘town centre sequential test’
• Policy LR5 Recreation Proposals Outwith the Built-up Area
o Proposals outwith urban areas will be encouraged, contingent on environmental effects
• Policy LR6 Inverclyde Access Strategy
o Inverclyde Council will seek to protect and promote the ‘core path network’ (both existing and proposed) and the other key themes of the adopted Inverclyde Access Strategy, where these do not conflict with other Local Plan policies, in particular DS8 and DS10.
• Policy LR7 Strategic Route: Glasgow to Inverclyde
o Inverclyde Council supports and will protect the strategic Glasgow to Inverclyde Route. Proposed extensions to this route to enhance the ‘core path network’ will be supported, taking into account potential conflicts of users and land uses. An alternative route will be secured in the event of the reopening of the Glasgow Central-Bridge of Weir-Kilmacolm railway line, which formerly occupied part of this strategic route.
• Policy LR8 Inverclyde Coastal Route
o Inverclyde Council supports and will seek to complete the Inverclyde Coastal Route (footpath and cycleway), as part of the ‘core path network’ throughout Inverclyde. Developers will be required to make appropriate provision in submitting planning applications, particularly in the four coastal Special Development Areas, identified in the Plan.
• Policy LR9 Rights of Way and Other Routes
o Inverclyde Council will endeavour to protect the claimed Rights of Way and Other Routes in Inverclyde.
o Where new development occurs which makes it necessary to close sections of footpaths, provision of an alternative route will be required.
• Policy LR10 The Promotion and Provision of Tourist Facilities
o will support the creation of tourist facilities with social, economic and physical benefits, provided there are no significant environmental effects and a high standard of design is met
• Policy LR11 Golf Courses
o Proposals for new golf courses or extensions to existing golf courses will be supported providing that there are no adverse environmental effects and that the design enhances biodiversity etc.
• Policy B7 Character and Amenity of Designated business areas
o Boundary treatment and landscaping have potential to feed into Green Networks?
• Policy H2 Redevelopment of Brownfield sites
o Development encouraged, except where it would lead to losses of valued local open space (many may be too small to feature on proposals map, but may be locally significant) Potential for preservation of open spaces in redevelopment schemes
• Policy H4 Proposals for development in the Green Belt and countryside
• Policy H8 The Character and Amenity of Residential Areas
o Residential development proposals must meet open space requirements (see H11 and DC1)
• Policy H11 Residential Development Proposals and Open Space Provision
o requires developers of new housing to make provision for public open space, play areas and private garden ground, or a comparable financial contribution towards either the provision of, or maintenance and improvement of, existing play equipment in a park or play area in the vicinity of the development, in accordance with the Inverclyde Council Planning Practice Advice Note 3.
• Policy HR11 Designated Environmental Resources and Built Heritage
o Protection of designated sites, visual amenity
• Policy HR 6 Forestry Planting
o Should enhance access, recreational use and biodiversity
APPENDIX 3 Funding
FUNDING There is a wide range of potential sources of funding available for greenspace development and projects. This reflects the increasing profile which greenspace has in Scotland. The range of policy agendas which greenspace links into is reflected in the range of different funders who will sponsor greenspace projects in a variety of guises. These range from simple greenspace improvement to recycling schemes to biomass production. The following paragraphs outline some of the key sources of funding available to improve and develop greenspaces. Some of these funding sources will be available only through local authorities whilst others will only be accessible to community groups. Funding sources available to local authorities may include: • greenspace provision as an integral part of new development; • developer contributions to creation of ‘off-site’ Green Network resources; • Inverclyde Council capital and revenue budgets; • Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (Regional Transport Partnership). Government and agency administered funding sources may include: LOTTERY FUNDING Big Lottery Fund Awards for All is a small grants scheme, run jointly by the Big Lottery Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Scottish Arts Council and sportscotland. It gives grants of between £500 and £10,000 for a wide range of community, arts, sports, heritage, health, education and environmental projects. Big Lottery – Investing in Communities. The Big Lottery Fund in Scotland has £275 million to spend between 2006 and 2009. Grants of between £10,000 and £1,000,000 are available for projects which encourage the development and improvement of communities.
Heritage Lottery Fund Your Heritage is a grants programme which supports projects which ‘conserve and enhance heritage’ and ‘encourage communities to identify, look after and celebrate their heritage’. Awards range from £5,000 to £50,000. Heritage Grants are awards of over £50,000 that are granted for projects which aim to ‘conserve and enhance our diverse heritage’ and ‘encourage more people to be involved with their heritage’. Parks for People is a programme which helps with the restoration and regeneration of public parks and gardens, including squares, walks and promenades. Grants of between £250,000 and £5 million are available through the scheme. This is most applicable to the enhancement of existing greenspaces within surrounding communities.
Coalfield Regeneration Trust The Supporting Communities element of the Coalfield Regeneration Trust grant scheme is designed to provide funding for projects which play an active part in regeneration including improving accessibility and promoting healthier lifestyles. The Learning Communities element of the grant scheme supports projects which aid personal development amongst people of all ages. The Supporting People into Work theme aims to complement government employment initiatives through support for innovative and locally designed approaches to supporting people into the world of work. The Enterprising Communities theme aims to increase the range and diversity of the social economy through initiatives to kick-start social enterprise and support organisations in pursuing income generation strategies.
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT The Sustainable Action Fund (SAF) provides funding for research projects, demonstration projects and other relevant activities in support of sustainable development in Scotland. Money is given in the form of core funding or project funding. Core funding is given, with the approval of Ministers, to organisations whose activities support Ministerial priorities. Grant funding is allocated to a wide range of projects that demonstrate sustainable development in practice. Grants are given to projects that are innovative, easily replicable, promote good ideas and practice and encourage people to behave sustainably. Fairer Scotland Fund (which will replace the Community Regeneration Fund from the 31st of March 2008). This will be administered through the Community Planning Partnerships and will have a budget of £145m per annum for three years (at a national level). The fund will enable Community Planning Partnerships to work together to tackle area based and individual poverty; and to help more people access and sustain employment opportunities.
Forward Scotland Landfill Communities Fund. The Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme) allows landfill operators to support the maintenance and development of community assets. In any given project, 90% of the funding can come from the Landfill Communities Fund but the last 10% must come from another source, known as a Contributing Third Party (CTP).
SGRPID (Scottish Government Rural Payment and Inspections Directorate) operates a number of land management schemes which could be used to help support measures to conserve and enhance the agricultural landscapes. The Land Management Contract scheme (forming Tier 2 of the Rural Development Contracts introduced under the Scottish Rural Development Programme) provides a menu of funding measures including: • training;
• farm and woodland visits; • habitat creation in buffer areas; • management of linear features such as hedges and ditches; • development of the access network; • woodland creation and management; • management to favour wild birds. The third tier of Rural Development Contracts will encourage measures delivering specific high value benefits.
Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme The Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme closed in 2006 and is to be replaced by a new grant system which will be integrated with the Rural Development Contracts described above. Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT) grant funding is included within this review, with new arrangements to be introduced in the near future.
Scottish Natural Heritage The Attractive Places to Live Grant provides up to half funding for a wide range of greenspace projects. Types of greenspace projects which will be supported include: using green space for community learning and development; setting up and developing partnerships to get communities involved in creating and improving green space; audits and strategies for green space; community consultations to support better planning, design and management of green space; transforming underused and undervalued land (including vacant and derelict land) to help people and wildlife; and developing community green spaces which promote communities taking part in nature conservation. The priorities for funding will be given to projects which are in and around towns and cities of more than 3000 people, to projects that target disadvantaged communities and groups and areas where the quality of the environment is poor and to projects that support the development of the Greenspace for Communities Initiative. Funding is available to community groups; voluntary-sector organisations; local authorities and people who are able to contribute to the aims of the scheme. Involving People provides grants for projects that encourage people to get involved in the natural heritage. These grants will cover up to half of the total eligible cost of the projects. Types of projects that will be supported include:
• projects that raise awareness and understanding of the natural heritage , and how it adds to quality of life; • projects that increase opportunities for children and adults to actively learn and care about the natural heritage through first-hand experience; • projects that encourage more communities, individuals and professional groups to get involved in looking after the natural heritage. Funding is available to community and voluntary groups; schools and educational groups; local authorities; land managers; site managers and groups representing countryside professionals. Applications from businesses will also be considered if they can show clear benefits to the public. Supporting Biodiversity provides grants for projects that contribute towards improving biodiversity. These grants will cover up to half of the total eligible cost of the projects. Projects should help towards improving, protecting and managing native species and habitats, restoring habitats that have been lost, and helping all people to care about biodiversity. This scheme will support: • actions set out in the Strategy Implementation Plans supporting the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs); • actions which help the ‘habitats and species of principal importance’ on the Scottish list, and those on the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) list of priority habitats and species; • managing and controlling non-native species, especially invasive species (those which threaten native species); and • biological recording and sharing biodiversity data (information). Funding is available to community groups, individuals, organisations and other people who are able to contribute to the aims of the scheme. Applications from businesses will also be considered if they can show clear benefits to the public. Paths and Routes provides grants for paths and routes that help provide opportunities for people to enjoy the natural heritage. These grants will cover up to half of the total eligible cost of the projects, and up to 75% for projects that reflect SNH priorities. Grants are available to make sure that paths and routes are suitable for all ages and abilities. Types of projects which will be supported include: • building and improving paths, particularly close to where people live; • providing signposts, waymarkers, gates, bridges and other structures which help to make access to land and water easier; • good management of long-distance routes; • path work to protect and restore the landscape; • advice, guidance and training on technical design and management; • monitoring through equipment, focus groups, questionnaires and other surveys.
Funding is available to community groups, land managers, recreation groups and local authorities. Applications from businesses will also be considered if they can show clear benefits to the public. Funding will not be considered if the project could be financed through the Land Management Contract or Forestry Grant schemes. Waters for Life provides grants for using and managing fresh waters, coasts and seas in a sustainable way. Projects which will be supported should help to promote sustainable approaches to managing fresh waters, coasts and seas or develop new techniques and approaches to tackle issues affecting their long-term health and use. Types of projects in relation to fresh waters which will be supported include: • restoring damaged fresh waters and wetlands; • maintaining the natural state of rivers, lochs and wetlands; • restoring depleted populations of native fish species and improving their habitats as part of the programmes to conserve species; • developing ways of using natural processes to manage flood risk, such as restoring wetlands; • improving information on the ability of fresh waters to support different kinds of recreation. Funding is available to community groups, voluntary sector organisations, local authorities and other people who are able to contribute to the aims of the scheme.
Voluntary Action Fund GO4 Volunteering provides funding to help small voluntary organisations and community groups that rely on volunteers to be more effective and confident in involving volunteers. Grants of up to £2000 are available for small organisation (income under £50,000 per annum). Grants are targeted at supporting the involvement of volunteers in volunteer driven organisations and may include support for training of volunteers, development of volunteers in running the organisation, information materials for new volunteers, etc.
European Funding The European Structural Funds are designed to assist areas of the European Union that compare unfavourably with the Union's average levels of prosperity. European Regional Development Fund (Objective 2) Objective 2 is the second highest level of funding available from the EU and aims to support the economic and social conversion of areas facing structural difficulties. This includes urban and rural areas where traditional industries are in decline and new sources of employment must be found. The European Regional Development Fund is used to provide help in the form of grants towards project costs. These grants are set at the minimum level required to allow the project to go ahead. As a general rule, however, the European Union
contributes no more than 50 per cent of the eligible cost. The rest of the funding, known as 'match funding', comes from other sources such as regional development agencies, local authorities, government schemes including the Single Regeneration Budget, other public bodies and the private sector. European Social Fund (Objective 3) European social funding helps disadvantaged groups in the community who, for a variety of reasons, are excluded both economically and socially. The project aims to develop skills and labour markets so that firms, workers and people who are facing exclusion improve their skills, adapt to new working conditions, and compete more effectively in global labour markets. European social funding pays for a proportion (usually 45 per cent) of a project's costs. The remaining amount (usually 55 per cent) is known as match funding. Monies from both public and private sources can create the required match funding but at least 10 per cent must be provided by a public authority.
Charitable trusts and other private grant giving bodies One example is the Esmee Fairburn Foundation, which aims to improve quality of life for communities. Provides grants for environmental programmes that contribute towards national and local biodiversity objectives and projects that help reduce carbon emissions.
Corporate Sponsorship Another potential source of funding for projects is corporate sponsorship, approaching major private sector interests in the wider area to seek support for elements of the project.”
APPENDIX 4 Workshop Reports
Workshop 1 – Health
Peter McGhee CVS Inverclyde
Elizabeth Meldrum James Watt College
Alan Williamson Inverclyde Council
Charlie Cairns Lower Clyde Green Space
Rachel Shipley Inverclyde Council Access Officer
The health problems that the population of the west coast of Scotland have are well known
James Watt College currently has no Green Travel Plan but will be working towards one.
There are several examples of good practice of health related projects in Inverclyde, particularly:
• Inverclyde Association for Mental Health
• Phoenix Health Walks Programme
• Postcards funded by Paths to Health (links with James Watt College)
Port Glasgow Community Futures Project identifies the Coronation Park as a key asset – discuss with 7½ John Wood Street – significant potential social contribution to be made.
The ‘Branching Out’ at Parklea does good work with people that have mental and physical disabilities.
Caddiehill Allotments have created a ‘nursery’ type facility. There has been some ‘social enterprise’ with contracting out of services e.g. maintenance work.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health has made contact with Lower Clyde GS looking to develop guided walks in greenspaces – significant benefits for mental health.
Waterfront Leisure Centre also has information about health walks.
A key problem is the lack of integration of processes and activities. How all these various projects could be coordinated to ensure there is no duplication. Need to make green network relevant to the local, regional and national health agenda.
There are significant potential benefits for mental health – a significant problem in Inverclyde.
Links between Health – Maintenance – Social Enterprise (e.g. local group looking after an allotment has healthy living benefits, helps maintain an area and has potential social enterprise.
Raising aspirations is a key function that the GNS should be seeking to play. Inverclyde has the potential to be a ‘green’ council.
Simple interventions like shower/changing facilities for council employees.
Credibility is vital (achievable targets) but aspiration is needed. James Watt College has a number of programmes that could play a role in the development of the GN.
• Sports and fitness training
• Open Learning Packs (healthy living/lifestyle type information) that have already been successful – perhaps potential to expand the programme, linking in with Community Planning.
Priorities – information and promotion. Events, interpretation, signage, leaflets. Multi-functional spaces.
Barriers – lack of information, weather, fragmentation of the ‘network’, management (poorly maintained sites – resourcing issue), road corridors (safety on the A8 e.g. Comet Festival at Coronation Park).
Links to existing programmes – Craigend Community Centre, wanted allotment space, contract catering on a small scale (social enterprise)
Hillend Bowling Club with Wee Green Grant funding started growing vegetables and give them away. Demonstrates community capacity. There are other potential change of use sites across the area.
Breaking current lifestyle is key – education.
Workshop 2 – Biodiversity and Environment
John Webster Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Jimmy Hyslop SNH Charlie Cairns Lower Clyde Green Space Norma Norris CVS Inverclyde Paul Tatner University of the West of Scotland Yvonne Boles RSPB Scotland Iain Gibson Scottish Ornithologists Club
Environmental quality is the key – for local people, to help retain the population and to support investment. Inverclyde has a great resource – the designations alone are important N2K, SSSIs, LNRs, SINCs. From a strategic level there seems to be a significant opportunity to link the existing semi- natural spaces with the amenity green space network. This would help to create a ‘network’ which could link into the wider habitats (Clyde and Regional Park in particular). There are also significant opportunities to better involve local people in biodiversity – education and understanding are vital. Need to consider the impact of contaminated land when looking at derelict land survey. Also important to consider the massive influence of topography in the area – some areas may only be suitable for habitat creation/enhancement because of the steep topography. GN Study needs to address the importance of the Clyde itself – very important resource that is probably underutilised. Gourock Bay is a potentially highly significant resource that could be integrated into the network The nature of new development also has a role to play in enhancing the GN – simple interventions can make a significant difference. Black guillemot nesting sites could have been better integrated into the new waterfront developments. They have been nesting on quay walls but there could have been more provision made as part of planning conditions at new waterfront developments. The NCR is a good resource but it has problems – linkages to the Regional Park and beyond Greenock. Potential for use of the Puggy line as an extension to the route. GN needs to play a role in helping to develop the levels of understanding amongst the local population. The value of what is on people’s doorsteps needs to be highlighted.
Understand why local people use locations away from the area? E.g. the local walking group does weekly walks within Inverclyde but monthly ones tend to go further afield. Unlikely to change but needs to encourage local use. And other groups to come into the area. There are funding issues with the group – realistically need to be self sustaining because long term funding is unlikely to be available. Also issues about what level of development people want. E.g. Coves Reservoirs are a popular resource but don’t want to be involved with the management of the site. Any potential for BTCV Green Gym type initiatives? Funding is a key issue in Inverclyde. Lots of projects have been developed but it has been difficult to maintain these because of lack of staffing and lack of monitoring. The Clyde is a hugely significant habitat for wading birds, particularly in winter. RSPB is soon releasing a series of leaflets (March) which will provide information on the birdlife along the Clyde. 30,000 copies are being printed and will be available from locations such as libraries, leisure centres, etc. Emphasis:
• raising awareness/education;
• temporary greening;
• development/management/influence. Diversity of habitats is important in the area – some human influenced and some ‘natural’ – provides range of species/habitats. Potential to develop man-made ‘natural’ environment in the Clyde for terns. Need to take a sensitive approach to proposals on flat greenspace. The amount of flat space is limited and is often considered very important by local populations. Priorities:
• interpretation of nationally important biodiversity; wider awareness raising and identification of benefits;
• influencing new developments through planning process;
• training and volunteering – social marketing, identifying ways for people to improve everyday life. Improve employability – there are many initiatives but need to be better coordinated;
• influencing key decision making;
• funding! Allotments, community gardens or community ‘wild-areas’ have all been successful but could be extended.
Water based recreation could also be improved. Need to be careful in terms of protection of the natural environment. Summer is less sensitive in terms of the natural environment. Fundamentals:
• getting the natural environment integrated into the thinking of policy makers and managers. Ground Services Manager key;
• selling the environment as an asset – giving it value to everyone. Look at SINCs – designated from 1993 Phase 1 survey. Out of date?
Workshop 3 – Enterprise Development
Alan Williamson Inverclyde Council Lynne Lambie Inverclyde Council Economic and Social Regeneration Lawrence Wyper Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire John McLoone Gourock Community Council Jim Grieve Inverclyde Council Dougie Smith Inverclyde Council Education and Social Care
Use of river as a resource would be beneficial (for recreation in particular) but there is limited access – only one slip at Port Glasgow. Makeup of the population in the waterfront new builds has a high proportion of existing Inverclyde residents – potential problems in existing communities? Needs more to draw people to the water – facilities. High quality of environment is a major asset – not as well exploited as it could be. Gourock has a range of attractions (Tower Hill, etc. providing views across the Clyde). Also cultural heritage of the area – ship building, exporting, etc. Maritime museum? Big idea? Waterfront/promenade elements such as the crazy golf and paddling pool shut. More waterbased recreation may be possible from Gourock – yacht club already has sailing lessons. Canoeing/kayaking could be an attraction. Gateway to the National Park? Ferry services – Inverclyde doesn’t exploit the market it has. Very difficult, people come to use the ferry service. There is a demand for business space, particularly from local businesses already centred in the area (extending). Has been difficult in the past to get businesses to look in the area – perceptions of remoteness, reputation, etc. Needs good design to ‘exploit’ the environment but also facilities to attract people (locals and visitors). Kip Marina is a good demonstration of what can be achieved. Mixed development with ‘attractions’ for people with and without boats. SPT announcement of ferry service from Gourock to the NP. Training and enterprise:
• schools – ‘determined to succeed’ (enterprise in education) and health/fitness already important;
• 14-19 age is the key age, reduce problems then and less likely to be;
• employability – softer skills, employability rather than employment training, helps create mobility (a potential problem with depopulation?). Use local assets.
• Get Ready for Work and Skillseekers are already in place (and successful) so don’t want to reinvent anything. Lots going on in Inverclyde – needs to be drawn together through the Community Plan and CPP. Marketing and promotion vital. Help to attract investment from business but also attract people to visit the area. Events such as the Myths and Legends Fireworks, Tall Ships and Cruise Liners demonstrate there could be an audience – these are of large scale but should help to attract repeat visitors. Minor interventions such as developing facilities on tour buses (many use ferry). Keep people in the area that use the cruise ships.
Workshop 4 – Sustainable Communities
Andrew McElip Inverclyde Leisure Sharon Hodgson Riverside Inverclyde Tommy Rodger Inverclyde Council Norma Norris CVS Inverclyde Charlie Cairns Lower Clyde Greenspace Rachel Shipley Inverclyde Council Jackie Smith 7½ John Wood Street Stuart Johnstone River Clyde Homes Charles Woodward Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Stuart MacKenzie Safer Communities – Inverclyde Council Andrew Cassels Cloch Housing Association
There was a plan mentioned for an interpretation path network in the Devol Glen, on the hillside. There would be signs telling walkers of historical and heritage facts that were previously located on the paths. Potential connections with the regional park. It was stated that it is good to get stakeholders together, as it allows connection of different departments. Historically at meetings groups were said to ‘sing from the same hymn book’ but when they leave the meeting they follow different paths, meaning that momentum on previous initiatives for the area had been lost. There was a need for improvement of paths so that an over-reliance on cars could be countered. The risk of the meetings being termed ‘talking shops’ was raised and countered with the assertion that the main aim was for action ‘on the ground’. It was suggested that collaborative funding for Coronation Park would be a major plus for the park’s regeneration. Multiple sources of funding were stated to an option being considered. A centralised meeting place was thought to be a good idea, especially good for ensuring progress was made. It was pointed out that Inverclyde (IC) has a lot of tourism potential; this has failed to be exploited as, up until now, people couldn’t access the water due to industrial activity.
Another potential tourism venue was stated to be the tunnel beside Tesco. It was asked what the visitor numbers to CMP were like from the Port Glasgow/Greenock side. ‘This side of the hill’ around 50,000 visitors per year on the Cut. Discussion on the CMP continued and it was stated that the principal site on this side of the park was Lunderston Bay. This was openly stated to be a ‘terrible’ part of the park; underdeveloped but with massive potential, yet still achieving 350,000 visitors a year. It was stated that there were also other useful ideas such as the Scottish Rural Development Plan and their attempts to bring in community discussion, they were stated to have £1.6 billion of funding. A more overarching project was to get local people out walking, to a certain level and for that to be expanded to more serious walkers. This would happen through the development of an increased path network. It was thought that the development of more recreational opportunities and walking programmes would develop the above walking ideas. It was thought that the hills behind Greenock held a lot of potential for these ideas to be a success. More initiatives in the towns were also desired. IC leisure staff were said to have undertaken work in deprived parts of the area (as identified by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation SIMD). This included delivering direct to the community and introducing children to sport and sports facilities. A relevant example was given as portable football pitches set-up on derelict land. It was hoped that access could be improved to sports facilities through the GNS. It was thought that this returned us to the potential of IC, in that the landscape was varied, hilly and flat and how this could be exploited successfully. The issue of brining in schools to experience paths and green spaces in IC was raised. It was mentioned that primary schools (St. John’s) were approached about the Devol Glen path and if they would be interested in using/visiting it. Also the potential of local and tourist use was thought to be high. Regarding new residents, it would have to be ensured that they had access to the hills and that this would help integrate people to the area and help with social cohesion. There were queries about whether the new housing would be subject to in-migration or if people from outside would be resident. Opinion was mixed but it seemed that in-migration was likely to occur to a significant percentage of the housing. If in-migration did occur, there was a danger that there would be a divide of the area between the new on one side of the road and the old on the other (north/south). There is also a danger of a hinterland being created that is more deprived than the area already is. There were concerns raised of population decline, which is forecast to be up to 20,000 people (15%) of the population. It was raised that IC should sell itself better amongst the populations of Scotland, to help attract new residents.
The work of the IC Tourism and Leisure Group was mentioned, one idea was trying to encourage cruise ship passengers to the area and to spend their money. It was raised that the increased promotion of IC is a theme that comes through strongly when discussing improvements in the area. Further to this it was thought necessary to link all the attributes that IC has into a package that would attract visitors, for example, niche markets like birds or putting people on the water in the summer months. It was asked whether the access points were available for this study; Coronation Park was named as a potential access point. It was argued that capacity is available throughout the area, if development occurs. The issue of why the area seems to be bypassed by cars/trains was raised. It was argued that IC should try to sell itself as a stopping point. It was thought that the CMP had capacity to do more in this respect. Volunteering was mentioned, with regards to the environment and training people to work within it. Particularly amongst younger groups, work carried out with teenagers was mentioned. It was mentioned that the John Street group carry out a lot of work with youngsters both in recreation and training. To counter this, IC Greenspace felt they had little success with encouraging youngsters to improve their own areas. They did have success with intensive programmes but these were costly and could not be maintained permanently. It was felt people should still be encouraged to make a positive difference in their area. The GN was seen as a theatre to help achieve progress in other areas. A project in Parklea was mentioned which allowed people to gain an SVQ while working in GN areas, although this was only for learning disabled people and they wondered why this couldn’t be expanded. It was felt that this could be an ownership issue and something that could be extended by the GNS, for example, through community gardens, allotments, etc. This would engender community spirit. Eco-schools were discussed; it was felt that they brought good opportunities and that introducing youngsters to the environment should be continued as they grow up. It was thought that Eco-schools were not widely used in IC, schools were thought to have done their own thing, dependent on teacher agendas. Eco-schools were stated to be focused on recycling and not the environment explicitly. Head teachers were said to be under pressure and already running against devolved management. It was thought that working with parent councils could be a ‘way in’. Voluntary groups were raised as a way of maintaining paths and running environmental projects. This would need partnership agreement on funding and this can be hard to attain. It was felt that the issue of grants was a long term issue that needed to be examined. For example, it was raised that there was too much emphasis on the council to meet funding requirements; this was expanded upon by the point that full costing implications were not always considered.
An example of funding problems was the point that Heritage Lottery Fund grants were not issued, unless the council was the lead funder. Neighbourhood health workers (provided by NHS) helped to link and remedy social issues, the regional group was stated to be based in Port Glasgow and cover all of IC. This led to a wider discussion of initiatives to encourage people to exercise, for example, jogging and walking groups. These groups have attracted interest, for example from the mental health authorities. It was stated that there are audits at a local level across the GCV region and it appeared to be working. Possibly more work is required in the middle-ground. It was stated that people (communities) should know how much influence they have and also pointed out that people can question the process at any stage. A good timescale was said to be important when talking about community involvement/ projects. It was felt that IC had good mechanisms in place to achieve this but an issue was the next step-up, i.e. delivering on these mechanisms. It was stated that people should know that they can influence the GN. It was felt that high-level sign-up was needed and then bridging out to incorporate other groups. There are physical barriers in place but that within areas definitive action could take place. It was felt that a help would be for a greater understanding of why the council takes certain decisions and not others, a greater consistency. Community ownership and management were mentioned. It was stated that this is not always dictated by council policy, the Scottish Government had put in place methods for community buy-ins.