Gowkthrapple Regeneration Greenspace & Green Network Study
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Gowkthrapple Regeneration Greenspace & Green Network Study Final Report by IronsideFarrar 111 McDonald Road Edinburgh EH7 4NW 7097 / November 2008 Gowkthrapple Regeneration Greenspace & Green Network Study Final Report by IronsideFarrar 111 McDonald Road Edinburgh EH7 4NW 7097 / November 2008 Gowkthrapple Regeneration Greenspace & Green Network Study EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 6.0 MANAGEMENT OF THE GOWKTHRAPPLE GREEN NETWORK 57 1.1 Background 1 6.1 Introduction 57 1.2 Study Objectives 1 6.2 Greenspace Management Context 57 1.3 Key Project Partners 1 6.3 Engagement of Communities 58 1.4 Delivering Change 2 6.4 Securing Appropriate Funding 60 6.5 Working with Nature – Cost Effective Landscapes 67 2.0 THE GOWKTHRAPPLE MASTERPLAN 5 2.1 Masterplan Objectives 5 7.0 FUTURE STAGES & CAPACITY BUILDING 69 2.2 Gowkthrapple Housing 5 7.1 Introduction 69 2.3 Garrion Business Park 6 7.2 Potential Future Capacity Measures 70 2.4 Wider Area & Green Network Ambitions 6 7.3 Partnership Working 71 2.5 Key Detailed Masterplan & Greenspace Network Issues 10 2.6 Placing Sustainability at the Heart of the Masterplan 10 8.0 THE GREEN NETWORK ACTION PLAN 73 8.1 Action Plan 73 3.0 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE GREEN NETWORK 13 8.2 Action Plan Matrix 82 3.1 The Vision 14 3.2 Stakeholder Consultation 14 9.0 RECOMMENDATIONS AND LESSONS LEARNT 85 3.3 Addressing Needs 16 4.0 DEVELOPING PUBLIC GREENSPACE 19 4.1 The Gowkthrapple Green Network 19 APPENDICES 4.2 Developing the Path Network 21 4.3 Developing the Greenspace Hierarchy 22 Appendix 1 Research Notes/ Learning from Innovations 4.4 Sports, Play and Recreation 22 in Urban Greenspace Management 4.5 Community Gardens & Allotments 22 Appendix 2 Consultation Summary 4.6 Sustainable Urban Drainage 25 4.7 Wider Area Linkages 25 4.8 Design Associated with Pylons 27 5.0 AREA DESIGN BRIEFS 29 5.1 Developing a Design Framework 29 5.2 Designing Places Policy Guidance 29 5.3 Design Components 30 5.4 Path Hierarchy 32 5.5 Play Provision 38 5.6 Community Greenspace & Allotments 44 5.7 Private/ Semi Private Outdoor Space 48 5.8 Design Associated with Pylons 54 5 Ironside Farrar Ltd Final Report November 2008 Gowkthrapple Regeneration Greenspace & Green Network Study 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background In November 2006 the Glasgow and Clyde Valley (GCV) Green Network Partnership Board approved support for a Green Network project at Gowkthrapple, near Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. The project has been proposed by North Lanarkshire Council in response to a brief issued by the Green Network Partnership’s Stronger Communities Group. The brief invited partners to propose projects that would demonstrate a strategic approach to development of the Green Network in urban renewal, community growth or urban expansion areas, as identified in the 2006 GCV Structure Plan. The purpose of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Network is threefold: • to improve the competitive environment of the Metropolitan area as place to work and invest in; • to promote the Government’s Environmental Justice agenda, improve access to open space for the local population and tackle issues like health, quality of life and social inclusion; • to provide a framework of green corridors and spaces that will enhance and reinforce the biodiversity of the area by creating a network of linked habitats. 1.2 Study Objectives The aim of this project is to identify the way in which the Green Network can be developed in and around Gowkthrapple so as to improve the environmental quality of the neighbourhood, enhance quality of life for residents, strengthen biodiversity, and help create new economic opportunities, especially for young people. Green Network opportunities will be identified in the context of the community regeneration objectives for the area as set out in the Gowkthrapple Strategic Masterplan, produced in Spring 2007. The project will look at the provision of greenspace internally within Gowkthrapple and also identify opportunities for creating links to adjacent areas, including Wishaw town centre, Overtown and the wider Green Network. Once completed it is expected that the project will form part of the Green Network demonstration programme with the approach and lessons learnt disseminated through case study material. 1.3 Key Project Partners The key project partners who have been instrumental in the development of this study are as follows: • North Lanarkshire Council Planning & Area Regeneration Departments managing the development of proposals to guide future planning guidelines in the area and ensure regeneration and cohesion of the community. • Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership facilitate delivery of the co-ordinated Green Network across the whole region. • Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate promote the successful and sustainable transformation of communities by creating the right environment for private and public investment. • Garrion Housing Co-operative provide a high quality locally based landlord service consulting with and involving the community in key policy and decisions. 1 Ironside Farrar Ltd Final Report November 2008 Gowkthrapple Regeneration Greenspace & Green Network Study 1.4 Delivering Change Important for the Development Brief & Action Plan for Gowkthrapple is to keep to the fore the importance of delivering change for local communities in terms of clear and achievable outcomes. Significant innovation and support is going to be required to deliver change and advance Gowkthrapple towards the ‘tipping point’ where a properly balanced, stable and sustainable neighbourhood is created meeting the needs of current and future residents. The Development Brief and Action Plan need to address how collectively we secure: • an increased level and more effective engagement with local communities in the planning, delivery and management of green space resources within Gowkthrapple and neighbouring areas; • improved living and working environments promoting a greater sense of community cohesion and ownership supporting more positive attitudes towards the public realm, as measured by reduced litter, vandalism, graffiti and increased public use; • increased community development paralleling other initiatives/ ROA’s/ thematic strategies through the direct engagement of community groups in local Green Network projects both strategic or local; • improved identity and increased pride of place, brought about by encouraging neighbourhoods to work together to tackle local amenity and connectivity issues supporting a stronger respect for place ; • the adoption of more healthy lifestyles, achieved better path networks, better connected greenspace; opportunity for participation in physical exercise, a more active community and improve awareness of lifestyle patterns; • individual and community development, brought about through participation in new education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities, including the development of social enterprises; and • significantly enhanced quality of the urban environment and countryside around settlements offering new opportunities for residents to access and experience the natural world. Ironside Farrar Ltd 2 Final Report November 2008 Gowkthrapple Regeneration Greenspace & Green Network Study Existing Situation 3 Ironside Farrar Ltd Final Report November 2008 Gowkthrapple Regeneration Greenspace & Green Network Study 2.0 THE GOWKTHRAPPLE MASTERPLAN The Gowkthrapple Strategic Masterplan has been developed to offer the best opportunity for all the varied stakeholders to come together and support a sustainable new vision for the future of the area. “Gowkthrapple will become a vibrant small community that offers a mix of housing types, tenure and neighbourhoods clustered around a core of community services with good local access to services, schools and on-site convenience shops. Housing will offer a wider mix of housing type and styles with significantly greater numbers of private sector owner-occupied housing but including design neutral affordable housing and social rented/shared equity housing in differing proportions within each of four neighbourhoods. Community facilities will be retained and enhanced developed around a new cluster at the main access junction on Castlehill Road with reinvestment in the Primary School either on site or as part of a new extended Clyde Valley Community School”. 2.1 Masterplan Objectives The strategic masterplan seeks to secure a sustainable, long term future for Gowkthrapple that can better meet the needs of local communities. It highlights the opportunity for new investment to provide a balanced community and rebuild the housing stock to be better suited to meeting variable needs, protecting local jobs and securing a real change in perceptions and the physical qualities of place. The masterplan recommends: • a clear vision and plan to take Gowkthrapple forward • a better balance of housing and employment space that reflects the needs of the community and which is likely to be sustainable • addresses the negative site environmental issues that adversely impact on the appeal of Gowkthrapple as a place to live • enhances the operation, appeal and sense of community by measures to improve local facilities and by enhancing access and connectivity • highlights opportunity to develop the Green Network and enhance the amenity of open space to ensure it is ‘fit for purpose’ 2.2 Gowkthrapple Housing Gowkthrapple is an estate of some 745 social rented houses, mostly flats, constructed in the mid 1960s. The area suffers from high levels of deprivation