West Lothian Council delivers

Open Space Strategy

 

What do we mean by Open Spaces?

For the purposes of this Strategy, we have focused on public parks, amenity open spaces and sports pitches.

What does the Strategy do?

The Strategy provides an overall vision for the provision, development, regeneration and management of open spaces throughout West Lothian, from 2005 to 2015. It is an instrument for bringing together the aims of different council services with responsibilities for open space and liaising with users, community groups, other organisations and the private sector. It helps us to identify areas where open spaces are in good supply, where they are needed and where the quality of the open spaces offered could be better. This has helped us to draw up an action plan of park improvements spanning 5 years from 2007 to 2012. It has also already helped us to identify areas of land which must be safeguarded for the future in order to ensure that the communities around them continue to have easy access to quality open space.

Open Space is becoming increasingly important as we move forward in addressing the following challenges:

Environmental sustainability
Health and healthier lifestyles
Inclusion & social equity
Sustainable economic growth
Quality of place and place competitiveness

Open Space has a key role in delivering outputs across a breadth of environmental, social and economic goals linking to cross-cutting themes in both the Community Plan and Development Plan. Equally important, is the need to deliver real and meaningful benefits to communities that address local needs in a manner that offers best value. This Open Space Strategy, supported by a detailed Open Space Audit and GIS / Access Database,offers an innovative and powerful tool kit to improve Open Space planning.

Please see the documents below that highlight the Open Space Strategy/Locations

An Open Space Strategy for West Lothian
West Lothian Council (NETs & Land Services), addressing the Scottish Executive guidance in PAN 65 Planning and Open Space, commissioned an Open Space Audit and Open Space Strategy in 2004. This report summarises the Open Space Strategy. The Strategy provides a strategic vision for the provision, development, regeneration and management of Open Space within West Lothian for the period 2005-2015.