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CHAPTER TWO: METHODOLOGY
Project Stages
2.1 The methodology for the study was based on a staged
approach, which is substantially reflected in the structure
of this report. The study involved building a detailed
knowledge base through a series of structured consultations
and workshops with local authorities officers, various
stakeholder groups, professional bodies and interviews with
other agencies. Throughout the process a dialogue has been
maintained with the Client Steering Group and the various
organisations represented including attendance at relevant
conference events.
Stage 1:
UK and European Policy - Literature
Review
2.2 The purpose of the literature review was to develop
a clearer understanding of the context of the study and
other relevant policy initiatives (
e.g. community planning, sustainability)
together with an overview of European practice to establish
current trends and approaches. The review looks at the
value of open space and examines the three main approaches
to framing standards namely, quantitative, qualitative and
accessibility standards. The section is discursive and
includes information on the organisations currently at the
forefront of open space research relevant to standards. The
research, summarised in Chapter 3, covers the following
areas:
- context and broad Scottish policy framework
- Scottish open space policy and guidance (
NPPG:11 /
PAN:65)
- other relevant policy and guidelines
- value of open space
- differing approaches to standards
Stage 2: Best Practice Review
2.3 An important part of the study was to identify good
practice examples of Scottish projects or organisations,
demonstrating where the use of existing standards or
approaches and initiatives has helped to deliver quality
open space and identify the reasons for this happening. The
questionnaires, outlined in stage 3, invited local
authorities, housing developers and stakeholders to
identify projects demonstrating 'best practice'. Chapter 4
contains ten case studies selected to demonstrate different
elements in the delivery of successful public open space
projects. The case studies are of four main kinds:
- examples of local authority
structures, which have facilitated the setting
of open space standards and developer negotiations,
including East Dunbartonshire Council greenspace team
and Aberdeenshire Council community orientated
developer contributions;
- examples of local authority approaches to the
setting of standards, including Dundee's
Public Open Space Strategy and Stirling Council's
Development Advice Note;
- examples of projects that set quality bench
marks for open space, including Scottish
Enterprise Lanarkshire Gartcosh Nature Reserve,
MacRosty Park, Crieff and the Drum, Bo'ness;
- examples of projects that demonstrate
successful community involvement, including
Wilton Street, Glasgow, The Hidden Gardens, Glasgow and
Drumry Play Area, West Dunbartonshire.
Stage 3: Local Authority & Stakeholder
Questionnaire and Interview Consultation
2.4 Questionnaires were sent out to a wide range of
organisations across Scotland with an involvement in open
space provision, management or policy. The purpose of the
questionnaires was to gather information and define the
parameters within which any open space standards must
work.
2.5 In parallel to the questionnaire consultation,
interviews were conducted with representatives of a range
of organisations across the
UK, including local authorities (England
and Scotland), Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland,
Landscape Institute, Scottish Natural Heritage, OPENspace,
National Playing Fields Association, Greenspace Scotland,
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, CABEspace, Thames
Gateway and various greenspace trusts, who have an
involvement in open space provision, management or policy.
Chapter 5 sets out the consultation findings.
2.6 The findings of the questionnaire survey and
interviews informed the workshop process (stage 5),
providing the baseline information for more in-depth
consultation with the workshop delegates. The
questionnaires also identified case studies and standards
employed by local authorities (stage 2).
Stage 4: Current Open Space Standards Review
2.7 The literature review (stage 1) and consultations
(stage 3) included the gathering of existing open space
standards, currently applied throughout the
UK. Chapter 6 reviews a range of open
space standards, which informed the workshop process (stage
5).
- Existing non-statutory
UK open space standards,
including the English Nature
ANGSt standard and the National
Playing Fields Association 6 Acre Standard.
- National
UK open space standards,
including Rural Northern Ireland and Wales.
- English local authority open space
standards, including Bridgnorth District
Council, Cambridge City Council, Enfield Council,
Fareham Borough Council, Forest of Dean District
Council, Greater London Authority, Greenwich Council,
Lewes District Council, Middlesborough Council, Rugby
Council, Rutland County Council, Sheffield City
Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and
Wrexham Borough Council.
- Scottish local authority open space
standards, including Aberdeenshire Council,
Aberdeen City Council, City of Edinburgh Council,
Dundee City Council, East Dunbartonshire Council, East
Renfrewshire Council, Falkirk Council, Glasgow City
Council, Highland Council and Stirling Council.
Stage 5: Workshop Consultation
2.8 A two-staged workshop was organised, involving a
wide range of representatives from local authorities,
stakeholder groups and housing developers, summarised in
Chapter 7. The workshop was designed to build on the
information gathered through stages 1 to 4, review existing
standards applied throughout the
UK and review a number of potential
models for setting open space standards for Scotland. The
findings of the workshop provided the basis of the proposed
open space standard set out in stage 6.
Stage 6: Proposed Open Space Standards
Framework
2.9 The proposed open space standards framework, set out
in Chapter 8, is examined in detail, identifying the main
elements of the standard for new development and existing
settlements. The chapter presents the main findings of the
research study and provides suggestions on the way
forward.
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