Council asks for your views on Edinburgh's open spaces

A draft open space strategy had been drawn up and is open to public consultation from the end of March until May. It is the first strategy of its kind for Edinburgh, and will be updated every five years. The strategy will be used to inform planning decisions on loss and provision of open space in new developments, and future management and investment decisions regarding existing open spaces.

Cllr Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader, said: "Edinburgh is fortunate to have many wonderful parks and green spaces, and in fact approximately 50 per cent of the city is open space. Residents and visitors value and enjoy these open spaces and we want to protect them and enhance them for future generations. I strongly encourage residents to give us their views during the consultation period."

The preparation of an open space strategy is a recent requirement of national planning policy. The policy requires the creation of an audit, a strategy and action plans. The strategy will ensure that a coordinated approach is taken to protecting and developing the city's network of open space. It is accompanied by 12 action plans, one for each Neighbourhood Partnership area, setting out site-specific proposals for change in open spaces.