Ravenscraig Green Network Strategy Prepared for North Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Enterprise, Ravenscraig Ltd. and GCV 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 1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Study..................................................................................................................................1 Structure of the Report.............................................................................................................................2 2. Ravenscraig Past Present and Future ............................................... 3 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................3 Ravenscraig’s Masterplan...........................................................................................................................5 Current Greenspace at Ravenscraig.......................................................................................................8 Existing Greenspace Resources.............................................................................................................10 Social Context ...........................................................................................................................................10 Local Social Initiatives...............................................................................................................................15 Transport Infrastructure .........................................................................................................................16 Road Network...........................................................................................................................................16 Rail Network..............................................................................................................................................16 Bus Network..............................................................................................................................................16 Access..........................................................................................................................................................16 Core Path Network...................................................................................................................................................17 3. Policy Context ................................................................................... 19 The National Agenda................................................................................................................................19 Regional Policy...........................................................................................................................................22 Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network........................................................................................22 North Lanarkshire Local Plan Consultation Draft.............................................................................22 Local Biodiversity Action Plans..............................................................................................................23 Health Improvement ................................................................................................................................23 Economic Development Strategy ..........................................................................................................24 Tourism.......................................................................................................................................................24 Other Relevant Strategies ..................................................................................................................................24 Greenspace Standards..............................................................................................................................25 Ravenscraig Specific Plans........................................................................................................................28 Landscape Guidelines ...............................................................................................................................28 Natural Heritage and Built Environment Strategy.............................................................................29 4. SWOT Analysis.................................................................................. 31 Introduction................................................................................................................................................31 Strengths .....................................................................................................................................................31 Weaknesses................................................................................................................................................31 Opportunities.............................................................................................................................................32 Threats ........................................................................................................................................................33 5. Vision and Strategic Priorities ......................................................... 35 Raising Standards.......................................................................................................................................35 Strategic Priorities for Ravenscraig.......................................................................................................35 Green Network Themes.........................................................................................................................36 i 6. Managing and Enhancing Existing Resources ................................. 39 Introduction................................................................................................................................................39 Current Plans.............................................................................................................................................39 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................42 Integration with Green Network Themes..........................................................................................44 7. Contribution to Sustainable Development .................................... 47 Introduction................................................................................................................................................47 Potential Elements of the Green Network.........................................................................................47 SUDS and Greenspace............................................................................................................................................48 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................49 Integration with Green Network Themes..........................................................................................50 8. Connecting with the Wider Green Network ................................. 51 Introduction................................................................................................................................................51 Current Wider Green Network...........................................................................................................51 Existing Recreational Resources ............................................................................................................................51 Landscape...................................................................................................................................................................54 Biodiversity ..................................................................................................................................................................54 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................................55 Integration with Green Network Themes..........................................................................................56 9. Key Projects ....................................................................................... 59 Introduction................................................................................................................................................59 Pedestrian Linkages from Motherwell..................................................................................................61 Prospect Hill Park .....................................................................................................................................65 Pedestrian Linkages from Wishaw ........................................................................................................69 10. Management Options for The Green Network ............................. 73 ii Executive Summary Work on regeneration proposals for Ravenscraig started with the publication