Public's View Sought On New Open Space Guidance

29th January 2009

Communities and developers are being invited to have their say in shaping future policy aimed at improving open space in new residential developments in the Highlands. A consultation, organised by The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service, runs until Friday 20 March. Already the document has been sent to a number of groups, including residents - associations, community councils and some of the major
developers in the Highlands. There is an on-line questionnaire at
http://www.highland.gov.uk/planningconsultations.

The Council is also inviting the public to send in a photograph of a favourite open space, explaining where it is and what is good about it or draw a picture or create a computer graphic of an ideal open space. Equally, the Council wants to see examples of poorly thought out or badly maintained open space. These pictures will be used to inform the
content of the final guidance, as well as providing illustrative material.

Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of the Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: "This document sets out how the Council aims to improve the local environment in new housing developments. It encourages developers to think of open space as the setting for their development which will improve the overall look and feel of residential developments and add a greater sense of place and community. By setting
standards for the quality, quantity and accessibility of open space, this draft supplementary guidance aims to ensure we have an appropriate mix of high quality, accessible and fit for purpose open spaces across Highland.

"The management and maintenance of open space is an important issue and the supplementary guidance sets out three clear options for management and maintenance. The Council are seeking the views of the community and developers in order to decide which option for the management and maintenance of open space is most appropriate."

Photographs and graphic images should be sent to the Council's Development Plans Team at Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX. Any questions should be directed to the team on Tel 01463 702261 or e-mail devplans[AT]highland.gov.uk