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