Aspiring Gallatown Physical Improvements Report

Aspiring Gallatown Physical Improvements June 2020

UrbanPioneers Ltd 116 Redhall Drive Edinburgh EH14 2DT 07910049357 mail@urbanpioneers.co.uk www.urbanpioneers.co.uk registered in Scotland 428095

Contents 01 Context 06

03 Physical Improvement Proposals

Policy Context 07 Green Networks 09 History 11 Cultural Heritage 12 Defined Policy Areas & Development Proposals 13 Greenspaces 14 Greenspace Audit: Quality 15 Greenspace: Access 16 Play Strategy 17

Green Networks 26 Long Grass & Wildflower 27 Tree planting 28 Play spaces 34 Artworks 36 Heritage Trail 38 Residential Greenspaces 40 Gallatown Park 42 Overton Community Centre 46 Highlands & Islands Area 48

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02 Site Appraisal 18 Engagement Amenity Open Spaces Play Spaces Community Hubs Streetscapes

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Fife

Gallatown

Kirkcaldy

Kirkcaldy Town centre

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Introduction ‘Making better use of the physical environment, whether that be repairing it, making it look better, feel safer or using it more during holiday periods in an organised manner.’

Aspiring Gallatown, Findings from Round 1 Consultation

Aspiring Gallatown Evaluation and Learning Report “Ah never came to community meetings before…ah went to one Tenants meeting years ago and nearly had to get ma heart re-started it was so boring. Ah didn’y realise you could talk to people and find out what really matters, elbow deep in flour and butter…and get things done… wi a smile on yer face. We’re changing the community, one cake at a time…” Cheryl (Core Group)

In May 2018 Kirkcaldy YMCA, Inspiring Scotland, Fife Council and NHS Fife undertook the ‘Aspiring Gallatown Stage 1’ running a community engagement process as part of this programme. Through this project four priorities emerged: • Mental Helath • Community Provision • Physical Environment • Food Security Based on the ‘Aspiring Gallatown Stage 1’ outcomes, in February 2020, Kirkcaldy YMCA commissioned UrbanPioneers Ltd to engage with Gallatown community and residents to further identify and develop specific improvement proposals for the physical environment.

“This all requires transformational changes in what we do. We need to work in partnership more effectively. We need to make the most of the opportunities we have, and make sure that the resources we have make the biggest impact they can.” Draft Fife Local Outcome Improvement Plan. 2017 - 2027

14th May 2018

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01 Context

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Policy Context The following documents have been considered in the development of the proposed improvements: National Policy Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 The Act includes an emissions target, set for the year 2050. In June 2017, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform announced proposed new emission reduction targets of 56% by 2020 and 90% by 2050 (compared with 1990 levels).

In April 2019, Scotland’s First Minister declared a global climate emergency.

The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill (passed September 2019), raises the ambition of Scotland’s domestic emissions reduction targets in line with the UN Paris Agreement.

The Climate Change Plan is the third report on proposals and policies 2018-2032 required under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. This provides a route map for Scotland to 2032.

The National Planning Framework (NPF 3) for Scotland (2014) sets the context for development planning in Scotland and provides a framework for the spatial development of Scotland as a whole.

Key Planning Outcomes are: • A successful sustainable place - supporting economic growth, regeneration and the creation of well-designed places.

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• A low carbon place - reducing our carbon emissions and adapting to climate change.

• A natural resilient place - helping to protect and enhance our natural cultural assets and facilitating their sustainable use.

• A more connected place - supporting better transport and digital connectivity.

A key focus for NPF3 is promoting high quality development and sustainable economic growth, reducing energy demand, promoting an integrated approach to the provision of green infrastructure and reducing the need to travel and ensuring economic competitiveness.

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) The purpose of the SPP is to set out national planning policies which reflect Scottish Ministers’ priorities for the development and use of land and is intended to promote consistency across Scotland whilst allowing sufficient flexibility to reflect local circumstances. The SPP is also intended to support the delivery of the Scottish Government national outcomes in respect of planning, namely: • Planning improves quality of life by helping to create well-designed sustainable places for Scotland’s people • Planning protects and enhances Scotland’s built and natural environments as valued national assets • Planning supports sustainable economic growth and the transition to a low carbon economy.

The SPP sets out two overarching ‘Principal Policies’ on sustainability and placemaking: supporting economically, environmentally and socially sustainable places & creating high quality places by taking a design-led approach.

Government Design Policy Designing Streets (March 2010) This is the first policy statement in Scotland for street design and provides guidance on street design where the focus is moved from the dominance of motor vehicles towards the creation of place. The document is based on the premise that ‘good street design should derive from an intelligent response to location rather than the rigid application of standards’.

Creating Places (June 2013) Scottish Government policy statement on architecture and place sets out the value good design can deliver, emphasising the strong, established relationship between architecture and place and planning.

Successful places can unlock opportunities, build vibrant communities and contribute to a flourishing economy. It identifies six qualities of successfule places: Welcoming, Distinctive, Safe & PLeasant, Easy to move around, Resource efficient and Adaptable.

Green Infrastructure: Design and Placemaking (2011) This guidance builds on ‘Designing Places’ and ‘Designing Streets’ and aims to give practical tips on incorporating green infrastructure into masterplans, which can be achieved f.ex. through street trees, swales, permeable paving or multifunctional spaces.

National Roads Development Guide (2011) This documents outlines the user hierarchy, street design hierarchy with pedestrians and cyclists at the top.

Cycling by Design (2010) Cycle Design guidance and technical advice as a contemporary source of guidance and best practice.

Regional Policy Planning (Scotland) Bill (2019) The Planning (Scotland) Bill proposes the introduction of local place plans, which would be a plan produced by a community body for its area. The plan musthave regard to the National Planning Framework and appropriate Local Development Plan (LDP). The planning authority would have to “have regard” to a local place plan whendeveloping or revising the appropriate LDP. Strategic Development Plan Edinburgh and South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan (SESplan) provides the geographical framework of development within South Fife.

Strategic Development Plans set out a long-term strategy for future development across the city regions.

It identifies strategic transport improvements, green network priority areas and strategic growth. These strategies form the basis for local development plans, including the FIFEplan, which identifies specific sites.

The Strategic Development Plan also identifies the housing requirement for both the private and affordable sectors based upon the findings of the 2015 SESplan Housing Need and Demand Assessment and promotes sustainable locations for development.

Local Policy Local Development Plan (FIFEplan) The FIFEplan outlines the aims of Fife Council with regards to development in Fife, identifies the main proposed land use changes and sets out policies for the assessment of new development proposals.

The importance and role of green network assets and opportunities for enhancement are also key components of the plan. It includes policies that protect the built and natural environment and require the design of new development to meet the six qualities

of successful places. Section 2.4 gives guidance as to how these policies will be applied.

The FIFEplan reflects local priorities identified through the Fife Greenspace Strategy, Fife Forestry and Woodland Strategy, Fife Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and the Fife Core Path Plan.

people of Fife, such as: Species-rich grassland, park & veteran trees, traditional orchards, maintain and increase the extent, distribution and connectivity of woodland ecosystems as well as involve local people in conservation actions and thereby raise awareness and enjoyment of ecosystems.

Fife Greenspace Strategy (2011-2016) The Fife Greenspace Strategy ensures that the majority of residents have access to quality greenspace. One of the outcomes of the strategy is to increase the life enhancing use of greenspace.

Plan 4 Kirkcaldy Area, Local Community Plan (20192022) This plan sets the vision to create a place where communities support each other and bring about change. It outlines local actions to deliver the vision: Providing creative and interactive opportunities for local residents to engage in local decision making, remove barriers to participation in consultations and engagment exercises, strenghten the capacity to develop solution focussed projects, Increase number of volunteers through community groups, nurture programmes that bring different generations together.

Making Fife’s Places, Planning Policy Guidance (2018) This document is the primary place making and design supplementary guidance explaining the role of good design in creating successful places where people will want to live, work and play through an integrated approach to buildings, spaces and movement.

Plan4Fife (2018) A cohesive plan for the future of public services for Fife for the next ten years outlining 4 prioritites 12 ambitions for a Fairer Fife, such as Thriving Places and strenghtening the role of comunities in local community planning to enable local people to have greater influense over local decisions. It further aims for communities as leading change in local areas, create safe and free from anti-social behaviour communities, creating opportunities for everyone to participate in social, health, leisure [...] activities.

Fife Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2013-2018 This plan sets out nature conservation priorities and projects for Fife for 2013-2018. The aim is to protect and enhance biodiversity for its intrinsic value as well as for the health, wellbeing and enjoyment of the

Mid-Fife Economic Action Plan This Masterplan fits well with the current council focus on improving the economy of the Mid-Fife area covering the Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Cowdenbeath and Levenmouth Committee Areas which lag behind national and Fife-wide averages on a number of key indicators. A Mid-Fife Economic Action Plan is currently being developed and is in direct response to the issues raised by Fife’s strategic assessment and the subsequent priorities identified within the Plan4Fife.

Climate Fife: Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (2020-2030) Consultation Draft This Climate Fife plan sets out the next phase, with the Fife wide approach and actions that need to be taken to proactivly reduce climate change. This will be implemented through eight themes, with Sustainable Travel Carbon sequestration and Adaptation relevant to greenspaces.

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Green Networks Green Networks in Fife – FIFEplan Background Paper Prepared by Fife Council + Scottish Natural Heritage (Oct 2012) The background paper outlines the definitions, core principles and priorities.

Definition A ‘green network’ broadly speaking, is a concept that is explicitly concerned with the connectivity of areas of open space. There is no single agreed definition of the term ‘green network’, but the following definition was used by SESplan and will be used for this document: The Green Network comprises the network of green spaces within and around our towns and cities, linking out into the wider countryside, which underpins the region’s quality of life and sense of place and provides the setting within which high quality, sustainable growth can occur.

It is made up of interconnected networks of: 1. Woodlands; 2. Other terrestrial natural and semi-natural habitats (e.g. species rich grassland; raised bogs and heathland); 3. Watercourses, wetlands and other blue spaces; 4. Formal and informal greenspace in and around urban areas; and 5. Active travel routes (including footpath and cycle routes).

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[...] one of its key objectives is to: ‘Enhance the condition and connectivity of the networks of green spaces and watercourses within and between the region’s settlements to reduce flood risk, support cycling and walking, increase tree planting and carbon capture, support biodiversity and provide better habitats, leisure opportunities, and agricultural and economic potential.’

This objective fits with the SESplan definition of Green Networks set out above. It is therefore proposed to use the SESplan definition as the basis for identifying Green Networks across the whole of Fife.

Core Principles The core principles of green networks are: • Connectivity: Linking people and places, and providing habitats and corridors for species movement.

• Multi-functionality: the provision of multiple functions on individual sites through the integration of different activities and land uses, to maximise efficiency of land use.

‘Connectivity’ and ‘multi-functionality’ are also

core principles within Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), being directly relevant to a number of key objectives, particularly in relation to delivering high quality sustainable places and efficient use of land. (e.g SPP paragraphs 14, 37, 39) Priorities for Green Network Planning in Fife The key priorities that were identified for green network planning in Fife are set out in the table below (The priorities were established through consideration of the Fife Community Planning priorities and Scottish Planning Policy objectives.): Green Network Priority/ Key Issue

Function

Connecting people and places

Access and Active Travel

Alleviating drainage and flooding Climate Change problems Providing useable greenspaces for communities

Greenspace

Providing landscape setting and improving the quality of places

Landscape Setting

Providing connected habitats for wildlife

Habitat and Biodiversity

2. Raith to Seafield Green Network 3. Dunnikier and Northern Edge Green Network 4. Kirkcaldy Dens Green Network 5. Kirkcaldy East Strategic Land Allocation Green Network 6. Chapel to the Dens Green Network A short description summarising their key features, functions and opportunities is provided on the following pages.

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Middle Den

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1

Park R t

St Andrews RC High School

d

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Green Network: 1. Kirkcaldy Coast Green Network 2. Raith to Seafield Green Network 3. Dunnikier and Northern Edge Green Network 4. Kirkcaldy Dens Green Network Existing Green Network Green Network Opportunities 5. Kirkcaldy East Strategic Land Allocation Green Network Indicative Green Network 6. Chapel to the Dens Green Town Centre Network Active Travel Route

Cla ir S

Relevance for Gallatown Improvements: • Enhance existing green network assets • Create new green infrastructure links to the three adjacent green networks

Chapel

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St

Gallatown sits within the Green Network Policy Area with three key Green Networks located to the East (5), West (4) and South (1) of the area.

Within the Gallatown area FIFEplan existing green network assets include: Gallatown Park and the amenity greenspaces along Dunnikier Way. Fifeplan further indicates green network opportunities along St Clair Street, Park Road and Overton Rod in front of St Andrews RC High School.

Gallatown Area

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http://arcgisweb.fife.gov.uk/LocalViewEXT/Sites/LDP1adopted/

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History Roy Highland 1747-52

Six Inch 1888-1913

(1)

In the 18th century Gallatown existed only of a small development at an intersection of St Clair Street connecting to North and North East Fife.

The remaining area was dominated by agricultural land.

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OS 1:25,000 1937-61

(3)

(2)

In the 19th century industrialisation is changing the landscape: agricultural land is divided into formal plots, factories (towards Pathhead) and potteries (along St Clair St) established and housing expanded along St Clair St.

In the 20th century housing, mainly terrraced housing, expanded throughout the area. Gallatown Park remains the only unbuild parcel of land.

Relevance for Gallatown Improvements: • Few factory buildings, street names (Pottery St) and churches still exist today

Relevance for Gallatown Improvements: • Housing areas, such as the one to the NorthWest and Highlands & Islands, have been rebuild with a different housing typology

Source: (1) Roy Highlands (1747-52), (2) OS Six Inch (1888-1913), (3)OS 1:25,000 (1937-61) https://maps.nls.uk

Rosslyn Pottery

Cultural Heritage

Ice Ring

Historic buildings continue to relate to the past The majority of significant cultural buildings are located along St Clair St and within the south-east of the Gallatown area. These include individual buildings such as factory buildings, churches, weavers cottages and co-op building from the 18th and 19th century.

One of the more recent buildings is the Ice Ring, now Fife Icearena, a classic art decor building.

Relevance for Gallatown Improvements: • Make the past visible through interpretation • If possible retain and re-purpose the few remaining historic buildings

http://arcgisweb.fife.gov.uk/LocalViewEXT/Sites/LDP1adopted/

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Defi ned Policy Areas & Development Proposals

FifePlan indicates the lower part of St Clair St (blue area) as local shopping centre and Gallatown Park as open greenspace.

Only three small areas have been outlined for housing development, with two (KDY08 & 11) already recently undertaken.

Relevance for Gallatown improvements: • Proposed green networks, diverse green and play spaces have to be retrofi tted within the existing open spaces

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http://arcgisweb.fife.gov.uk/LocalViewEXT/Sites/LDP1adopted/

Greenspaces Limited greenspaces can be found throughout the area Fife Council’s Greenspace Characterisation map illustrates that beside Gallatown Park the remaining greenspaces are residential amenity spaces which relate to the adjacent housing.

Due to the limited greenspaces, the existing greenspaces should be improved: • Planting that increases biodiversity • Biodiversity/ Pollinator networks • Continuous functional planting, e.g. along streetscapes, at street corners • Diversity of functions within spaces, e.g. paths, furniture, play • Provide food growing/ orchard opportunities

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Greenspace Audit: Quality The greenspace audit provides evidence of the state of greenspaces Based on the greenspace quality assessment undertaken by Fife Council, the only assessed greenspace within Gallatown (Gallatown Park) is of poor quality.

The greenspace audit outlines that the park has an overall appearance of neglect and poor maintenance, partly due to anti-social behaviour.

The eastern entrance is obscured by planting, therefore visual surveillance is poor.

It is recommended to prepare a masterplan for the park in consultation with the community, opening sight lines from adjacent roads, circular paths build, hardy flowering shrubs to make the space more attractive, seating areas and upgraded fencing around the football court.

Relevance for Gallatown Improvements: • Provide other high quality greenspaces that are attractive and have a distinctive character • Provide safe links/ active travel routes to good quality greenspaces

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Site

Greenspaces: Access

Site

Fife Council Planning Guidance outlines that each home should be given provision to open greenspaces (60m2 per domestic property) within 250m walkable distance.

The map outlines the properties within 250m access (green) and properties that are NOT within 250m access (yellow) to greenspace.

It highlights that the properties in the southern part of Gallatown as well as to the north-west do not have sufficient greenspace provision.

Relevance for Gallatown Improvements: • Additional access to greenspace is required for the entire southern part of Gallatown • Any future developments should provide adequate quality greenspace to provide greenspace access for existing and new residents • Provide high quality greenspaces • Create safe links and active travel routes to greenspaces

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draft Play Park Strategy 2019 - 2029

Page 23 of 33

park draft PlayPlay Park Strategy 2019hierarchy - 2029 Page 23 of 33 The aim is to create a good quality, accessible network of public play parks across Fife. Having three types of play parks will achieve this. Families are prepared to travel to large play areas, but also value smaller play areas in their neighbourhood or village.

Play Strategy Play park hierarchy Destination Town

Neighbourhood

The aim is to create a good quality,Aim accessible network of public play parks across Fife. Having Aim Aim

three types of at play parks will achieve this.

Families are prepared travelisto large play areas,orbut The play park Beveridge This is an intermediate type ofto This a neighbourhood also smaller areas in their neighbourhood ortowns village.

Park,value Kirkcaldy is aplay good play park located in village type of play park. These example of a play area that that people are prepared to are within walking distance of people are prepared to travel to. travel a short distance to. It housing. It is a basic public It has a wide range of has enough equipment to play area with enough Aim Aim Aim equipment catering for babies cater for babies through to for a short visit.

The play park at Beveridge This is an intermediate type of equipment This is a neighbourhood or This through to high is school children. high school children.

Town type of type play of area is park. generally Park, Kirkcaldy a good play park located in towns village play These Located in a large public park play areas are located in located in a park, providing example of a play area that that people are prepared to are within walking distance of with toilets, with goodtospace space to It run people are prepared traveltoto. public travel aparks. short distance to. It housing. is around. a basic public run around, also has It has a wideitrange of adult has enough equipment to play area with enough gym equipment andfor a skate equipment catering babies cater for babies through to equipment for a short visit. This park. through to high school children. high school children. Town type of play area is generally Distance Distance Distance Located in a large public park play areas are located in located in a park, providing 3km real time 1km time 500m time (along streets) with toilets, with good space to publicreal parks. space real to run around.

1.8km straight line has adult 600m straight line 300m straight line (radius from run around, it also 30 walk and a skate 10 minute walk play area centre ) gymminute equipment 5 minute walk along streets park.

As a destination play area People will walk, cycle or Distance Distance Distance people will generally drive to drive to the play area Most will(along walk to the 3km real time 1km real time 500mpeople real time streets) reach play 1.8km it. straight line 600m straight line 300marea straight line (radius from 30 minute walk 10 minute walk play area centre ) Equipment Equipment Equipment 5 minute walk along streets As a destination play area People will walk, cycle or High School (up to 13yrs) High School (up to 13yrs) people drive Most people will walk to the 3 units will generally drive to 1 unitto the play area reach it. play area Cable way / flying fox Cable way / flying fox Rotating equipment for 12+ Equipment Equipment Equipment Rotating equipment

The new Fife Destination Council PlayTown strategy (draft) outlines provision of neighbourhood play spaces

The Draft Play Space Strategy 2020-2030 has been published in July ‘19 and is currently being consulted on.

For Gallatown it outlines the different types of play spaces: Greenspaces with natural play, Local Play Park (Pre-school and primary school age) High School (up toage 13yrs) High School (up toage 13yrs) School Primary School and Town Play ParkPrimary Primary school 3 (Pre-school, units swing 1 unit Swing Basket Basket Cable way / flying fox Cable way / flying fox ( 4 seats) Swings ( 4 seats) & High School age).Swings Formulti-unit. bothApprox. the Local (5min) Rotating equipment for 12+ Large 5m Multi-unit or climbing net Rotating high with equipment long tube slide and Town Play Park6Primary (10min) maximum walking School Primary School age m high climbing netage or high Basket swing Basket Swing distances have beenmulti-unit indicated.

Moving – see saw , or Moving – see saw , or Swings (unit 4 seats) Swings (unit 4 seats) rotating equipment rotating Large multi-unit.

Approx. 5m Multi-unitequipment or climbing net Overall there is a good provision for pre-school Pre-primary school Pre-primary school age high with long tube slideage 6 m high climbing net or high Cradle swing ( 4 seats) Cradle swing ( 4 seats) and primary school age, but only provision for High multi-unitmulti-unit Toddler with inclusive Toddler multi-unit with Moving unit – see saw , or Moving unit – see saw , or elements inclusive elements School age in the south part of Gallatown and no rotating equipment equipment ( 3 units) rotating equipment equipment Moving Moving (3 units) e.g. springy, school age e.g. springy, school age Pre-primary Pre-primary natural play provision. roundabout roundabout Cradle swing ( 4 seats) Cradle swing ( 4 seats) trampoline Toddler multi-unit with inclusive elements Benches and picnic( tables Moving equipment 3 units) e.g. springy, roundabout trampoline

trampoline Toddler multi-unit with inclusive elements Benches and picnic(3tables Moving equipment units) e.g. springy, roundabout trampoline

Relevance for Gallatown Improvements: • Provide natural play opportunities within other greenspaces Benches and picnic tables Benches and picnic tables • Offer play provision throughout the area for other abilities/ sensory play • Provide opportunities and activities for the high school age group • Offer opportunities for intergenerational engagement.

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Neighbourhood

Primary School age Swings ( 2 seats) Multi-unit with inclusive elements

Primary School age Moving – see saw , or Swings (unit 2 seats) rotating Multi-unitequipment with inclusive Pre-primary school age elements Cradle swing ( 2 seats) Toddler multi-unit with inclusive Moving unit – see saw , or elements rotating equipment equipment ( 3 units) Moving e.g. springy, school age Pre-primary roundabout Cradle swing ( 2 seats) trampoline Toddler multi-unit with inclusive elements Benches and picnic( tables Moving equipment 3 units) e.g. springy, roundabout trampoline Benches and picnic tables

Site

02 Site Appraisal

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Engagement Engagement with the community has been undertaken as part of the process guiding and shaping the proposed improvements.

As part of the initial research and analysis of the Gallatown area engagement with the community was undertaken by attending the following events and meetings:

Bite & Blether, Happy Days, Clair Street (11.02.2020) The first engagement activity was undertaken by visiting the ‘Bite & Blether’ group speaking to regular attendees. We collected many valuable points and comments on: • Food growing • Seating • Tree planting • Social spaces • Gallatown Park • Active travel This session highlighted the need for outdoor social spaces linked to a community cafe or centre, more and diverse planting, including food growing and seating.

Anti-social behaviour was also mentioned in relation to newly planted trees and dog fouling.

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Bike Hub, Gallatown Park (14.02.2020) Visiting the bike hub gave us the opportunity to speak to adults as well as children exploring: • Sensory planting • Residential greenspaces • Children play • Seating • Murals This event highlighted the need for more diverse planting, to be able to touch and engage with nature.

Brighten up blank walls with artworks as well as different play opportunities were mentioned as well.

Neighbourhood Development Partnership networking lunch, Gallatown FC Office (27.02.2020) During the roundtable discussions the following themes emerged: • Fruit and edible planting throughout the area foraging trail

• Heritage trail • Different outdoor spaces to sit and observe or undertake some activity

Highlands & Islands Tenants & Residents Association, Free Church (09.03.2020) As part of one of their regular meet-ups ideas and comments in regard to the Highlands and Islands residential area were mentioned: • Good quality of hard & soft landscaping required • Unsure what to do about existing planters • Seating • Maintenance • Large car parking area underused • Anti-social behaviour and vandalism Overall local residents would like to see a better quality of their immediate surroundings but acknowledged that it will be challenging with reduced budgets and maintenance as well as anti-social behaviour.

Crafters Group, Overton Community Centre (10.03.2020) As part of one of their regular crafting activity we discussed: • Improvements to the outdoor spaces of the centre • Artworks within Gallatown • Involving children and youngsters from the community to reduce vandalism The group is currently crafting two totem poles which will be installed outside the centre and at Gallatown Park. They would like to see more artworks that are developed with local children and residents within the area.

One of the group members makes fairy doors. This would be a great resource for her making these or leading workshops to install these within the area.

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Amenity open spaces A variety of open spaces should enhance biodiversity, offer different activities and opportunities and improve health and mental well-being Although there is a good provision of amenity greenspaces these are mainly areas of cut grass which offer very limited sources of habitat or biodiversity, opportunities for physical activities or visual interest.

Greenspaces should be enhanced to • Provide a variety of habitats • Increase biodiversity • Offer visual interest • Offer a variety of opportunities for activities • Improve peoples physical and mental health

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Highlands and Islands housing

Earn Road

Space between Cairns St East & Dunsire St

Overton Mains

Play Spaces Play spaces should be equally distributed providing opportunities for all ages and abilities

Gallatown Park Bike skill park

Play area & Outdoor gym

Puffin Park

KEY Existing play area

Highlands & Islands

Play provided for age groups: 0-5 yrs Pre-school

5-10 yrs Primary school 10-18 yrs High school 18-40 yrs Young adult

All three play areas (Highlands & Islands, Puffi n Park and Gallatown Park) have been recently upgraded with new play equipment. However these spaces feature only standard play equipment for pre-school and primary school children. They don’t cater for older children, adults, intergenerational opportunities or for children with additional needs.

YMCA recently implemented a bike skills park offering opportunities for different ages and gender.

Recommendations: Natural play opportunities within other greenspaces should be explored to offer play provision throughout the area as well as play for other abilities/ sensory play. Especially opportunities and activities for the high school age group should be provided along with opportunities for intergenerational engagement.

40-65 yrs Older adult

Plan not to scale

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Community hubs Community hubs enable residents to get together for various activities

Overton Community Centre

New Gallatown Community Centre

The Overton Community Centre, the YMCA Bike Hub (at the old bowling club) and Happy Days Centre are offering a wide range of activities for different groups with Gallatown and the wider area.

With construction work due to start soon, the old bowling club will become a new community centre with space for a cafe, associated garden and play spaces in addition to the existing bike hub and recently completed skills park. The activities currently offered at ‘Happy Days’ will be moving into the new Gallatown community centre.

Recommendations: The Overton Community Centre has no associated outdoor spaces adjacent to the building. These should be improved to offer opportunities for the user groups to undertake their activities within the outdoors as well as improving access in and out of the building. The main entrance to building is difficult to identify and could be more welcoming.

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Plan not to scale

Dunnikier Way

Overton Rd

Rosslyn St

Streetscapes Streets should form part of green networks offering pleasant and biodiverse environments Most of the streets within Gallatown are dominated by vehicular traffic, with often very generous road spaces. Very few streets feature continuous tree planting.

Viewforth St

Recommendations: Streets with amenity grass along the road verges should be planted up with street trees to enhance the visual street aspect, air quality and biodiversity.

It should be also explored if trees could be retrofitted with planting areas within streets that have no amenity grass verge. This could also help to manage stormwater.

Cairn St E

Orkney Pl

Plan not to scale

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03 Physical Improvement Proposals

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Green networks Using streetscapes to create & link adjacent green networks increasing biodiversity & climate resilience Design principles: • Provide spaces that enhance biodiversity through planting, e.g. trees, shrubs, long grass & wildflower • Enhance biodiversity by creating different microhabitats, e.g. wetland, grassland, hedges or pile of logs • Use mainly native specimen to provide habitats for native wildlife • Include orchards & foraging planting/ trails • Create safe places for native species with bug & insect hotels, bird & bat boxes • Involve and work with local residents to educate and enhance biodiversity, e.g. inform of the positive biodiversity benefits, undertake events/ workshops making seed bombs, build bug & insect hotels, install long grass/ biodiversity signage

KEY Proposed green networks

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Plan not to scale

Long grass & Wildflower Provide different textures, smells and experiences and create habitats, food and pollen for insects (including butterflies and bees), arthropods (from spiders to millipedes), birds and mammals.

Design principles: The proposed long grass management plan outlines the areas of existing regular cut greenspace to speciesrich riparian grassland with areas of tall grass and wildflowers. The areas have been selected in line with the outlined green networks but also creating diverse experiences throughout Gallatown. At the same time some areas of cut amenity grass are being retained to offer opportunities for activities such as playing ball or sitting down as well as providing visually well maintained greenspaces.

Within larger greenspaces (along Dunnikier Way & Gallatown Park) mown paths or patterns within the long grass enrich the user experience and relate and work with the existing topography.

Overall it is critical however that a min. 0.5m wide well-kept regularly mown edge is retained in order for the long grass areas to appear intentional and well maintained.

Involve residents/ school children/ local groups to educate on importance and benefits of long grass. This could involve installing ‘fun’ signs. (see image at top)

KEY Proposed long grass Proposed wildflower

Plan not to scale

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Tree planting Increase tree planting to diversify greenspaces & streetscapes enhancing biodiversity & climate resilience Design principles: • Involve and work with local residents to create tree partnerships or adoption for each newly planted tree Street trees

• Where sufficient space provide row or single street trees either in soft or hard landscaping

• Clear stem of 2m • Within smaller residential streets include fruit trees/ trees for foraging

Trees within open greenspaces

• Where sufficient space provide single or group(s) of trees

• Offering a vertical element with different habitat and point of interest as well as play opportunities

• Select trees for improving biodiversity • Use of mainly native species • Include fruit trees/ trees for foraging

KEY Existing tree Proposed tree

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Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

Plan not to scale

Sourcing trees

Potential sources for trees: Fife Council Greener Kirkcaldy Woodland Trust CLEARFife

Tree Partnership/ adoption

Assign a resident or local group to each newly planted tree. This creates a positive link to each tree and help reduce vandalism.

Plant tree in soft or hard surface

Planting trees within existing soft landscape will be easier and cheaper than within hard surfacing. However streets without any greenspaces or grass verges would especially benefit from retrofitting green areas with tree planting. This can reduce drainage issues especially when heavy rainfall.

Educate about benefits of urban trees

Maintain & ‘recycle’ trees

Educate on the benefits of urban trees to ensure that no trees are being taken down unless for health and safety reason and more trees to be planted over the years to come.

Ensure new and existing trees are well maintained. This could be undertaken by a local group or residents who have adopted a tree.

‘Recycle’ any trees that have to be removed by using timber for seating or natural play elements.

Include fruit trees & edible planting - this could form a Foraging Trail Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

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Street trees (1) Along Dunnikier Way • Continue existing linear street planting along southern edge of Dunnikier Way • Linear tree planting within central grass verge • Specie: Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’

(2) Along main roads (Overton Road, St Clair St) • Continue existing linear street planting along eastern soft verge • Souther part of Overton Rd street trees could be retroffited within linear on-street parking areas • Specie: Silver maple (Acer saccharinum)

(3)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(3) Within residential areas

• Tree planting within small amenity grass areas beside the road

(3)

• Species: Trees with special interest (form,

colour, flower, scent, etc) such as Ginko biloba (Ginko), Amelanchier lamarckii (Snowy mespilus), Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip tree), Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree), Cerciphyllum japonicum (Katsura tree)

(3)

(2) (4)

(4) Within Highlands & Islands residential area • Tree planting along road verge; Species: Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) • Tree planting within paved areas in front of building; Species: Cherry trees (Prunus spp), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

(3)

KEY Existing tree Proposed tree within existing greenspaces Streets for potential retrofitting tree planting

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Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

Plan not to scale

Streetscape (Rosslyn Street)

Dunniker Way

Overton Road

Residential areas (Westwood Avenue)

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Trees within greenspaces (1) Within Gallatown Park • Continue existing linear planting along the path to form western edge to Gallatown Park; Specie: Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) • Groups of trees within southern part of park, amongst play area, Species: Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Betula pubescens (Downy Birch) (2) Within residential greenspaces between housing • Informal groups of trees within greenspaces • Species: Whitebeam (Sorbus aria), Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Atropurpureum’ (Sycamore maple), Pinus sylvestris (Scot’s Pine), Cherry trees (Prunus spp), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Crab apple (Malus sylvestris), Fruit trees (3) Overton Community Centre

• Informal groups of trees within greenspace north/ to

(2) (2)

(4)

(1)

(3) (2)

(2)

the back of centre

(2)

• Species: Whitebeam (Sorbus aria), Acer

(5a)

pseudoplatanus ‘Atropurpureum’ (Sycamore maple)

(4) Within residential greenspace

• Continue existing linear tree planting with 2no

(5)

additional trees; Specie: Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)

(5) Within Highlands & Islands residential area

• Tree planting within small amenity grass areas and

(2)

within paved areas beside the road • Underused car park (Caithness Pl) could turn into an orchard (5a) • Species: Whitebeam (Sorbus aria), Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Atropurpureum’ (Sycamore maple), Pinus sylvestris (Scot’s Pine), Cherry trees (Prunus spp), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Crab apple (Malus sylvestris), Fruit trees

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Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

KEY

Plan not to scale

Existing tree (location indicative) Proposed tree (numbers & location indicative)

Precedent images: Crap apple

Rowan

Fruit tree along fence

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Play spaces Provide opportunities within short distances utilising existing spaces by offering different activities to existing play areas Design principles: • It is important to offer play opportunities within close distance to housing allowing especially primary school children to reach them without travelling long distances or relying on adults to take them there • Provide a range of sheltered and comfortable seating opportunities for children as well as parents/ carers • Improve the open spaces adjacent to facilities, such as Overton Community Centre, to offer additional opportunities, e.g. play, large hard surface, seating

Gallatown Park Overton Commnity Centre

Puffin Park

Natural play spaces • Provide informal natural play e.g. land forms, rocks, timber logs, willow tunnels • Final elements to be established through engagement with local residents Creative play spaces • Provide creative play elements that break up the existing large tarmaced area adding vertical and colourful elements • Final elements to be established through residents engagement

Elderly exercise • Install posts with exercise instructions and/ or other elderly exercise equipment throughout Gallatown • Final route and elements to be established with residents/ walking group 34

Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

Spey Ave

Highlands & Islands Highlands & Islands

Union St

KEY Existing play/ activity space Proposed natural play Proposed creative play

Plan not to scale

Precedent images Natural play

Elderly exercise

Creative play

Advise on fall heights and safety requirements should be sought from a qualified professional before installing any equipment.

(1)

(1) Image credit: Paths for All; Exercise panels available from www.pathsforall.org.uk

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Artworks Turn bleak elements and areas into colourful and engaging spaces Pedestrian subway

The proposed elements are first suggestions where art interventions could be used to uplift existing walls (buildings, subway, planters) into pleasant and attractive features. These are meant as a starting point and other walls and art improvements, such as installations or sculptures (small, large, permanent, temporary) could be undertaken further on.

Design principles: • Involve and work with young people and local arts organisations to create art features within the outdoor spaces (e.g. one member of the Crafters group at Overton Community Centre makes fairy doors) • Create art elements by the community - these can be also temporary • Uplift elements and areas which are unattractive • Create highlights within the outdoor spaces • Use art features to aid wayfinding

Highlands & Islands Brick planters

KEY Walls to be improved Other elements to be improved

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Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

Plan not to scale

“More creativity, more colour.”

Local resident

Precedent images walls Artworks on walls

‘Rain’ paint

Installations

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Heritage Trail Informing about Gallatown’s past & present The proposed key places which could be incorporated within the Heritage Trail are mainly based on the book ‘Walkabout Rosslyn and St Clair Street’ by Kirkcaldy Civic Society.

Two totem poles are currently being produced by the Crafters Group based at Overton Community Centre.

Once completed they will be installed at the Community Centre and Gallatown Park.

3

2

13

12

15 14 16 17

8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

18

20 19

20

KEY Totem pole - final location tbc Key places relevant to Heritage Trail

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11

Design principles: • Involve and work with young people and Local Organisations (e.g. Kirkcaldy Civic Society) to finalise route and number of panels/ other totem poles • Identify compelling stories, determine themes & decide how to tell the stories • Consider engaging elements to tell these stories, e.g. silhouettes, sculptures or moveable elements • Use heritage trail design as wayfinding elements • Incorporate seating at regular intervals/ as part of heritage trail • Consider a leaflet or audio stories as part of the trail

38

10

1

5 6 7

4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Plan not to scale

Gallatown Park Overton Commnity Centre Old Smithy Top O’ the Toon Royal Oak Bar Doctor’s Row Free Church Hall/ Electricity sub-station Fife ice arena / Rope Walk Pottery Street Fife Pottery Gallatown School Park Rd (Sinclairtown Pottery; RBS; Carlton Cinema) Hawklymuir linen mill Viewforth Church Weaver’s Cottages/ St Clair Hall Co-op Building Free Church Victoria Works St Clair St (weaver’s house; previous factory; Trustess Saving Bank; National Bank) Sinclairtown Station & Stationmaster’s House

Precedent images

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Residential greenspaces Improving residential greenspaces to offer attractive spaces and range of activities for the immediate residents As part of the undertaken community engagement it was suggested that one specific greenspace could be improved for the residents nearby: This greenspace is located in between backgardens between Dunsire St and Westwood Avenue. Over the past it has been regularly used as an illegal fly tipping area.

Suggestions for improvements include: fruit trees, colourful & sensory planting and raised planters with integrated seating.

This could be the first residential greenspace to be improved with others identified and improved in the future.

Residential Community Space Dunsire St/ Westwood Ave Work with local residents to improve residential community space

Design principles: • Provide attractive boundaries & natural surveillance • Provide seating opportunities • Diversify the planting, e.g tree planting, fruit trees, hedging, shrubs, perennials/ flowers, long grass & wildflower • Provide planting with special interest, e.g. structure/ form, seasonal interests, scent, sound, edible • Provide opportunities for a range of activities, e.g food growing, observing wildlife, play • Undertake community engagement with local residents for proposed designs and elements

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Existing greenspace Dunsire St / Westwood Avenue

“To be able to touch nature.”

Local resident

Precedent images

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Gallatown Park Improve the park to a welcoming and diverse space With the existing football pitches, a MUGA, recently upgraded play area, bike skills park and the new community centre about to be under construction, Gallatown Park has different activities to offer. The park can be further enhanced by improving sightlines and increasing and diversifying the planting.

Design principles: • Improve physical and visual connections • Increase and diversify planting • Seating in regular intervals along the main paths • Improve local drainage issues along paths • Upgrade lighting • Upgrade MUGA

MUGA Gallatown Community Centre Football pitches

Bike skills park

Play area KEY Access points Existing mown grass Existing hedge Proposed long grass Proposed wildflower Existing tree planting Proposed tree planting Proposed path

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Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

Plan not to scale

Remove physical and visual barrier to park Remove existing mesh fence

Improving connections

Create visual link between park and hub Reduce height of existing hedge/ create views through hedge

New path from bike skill entrance to play area

Plan not to scale

Create visual into park from entrance Remove small trees & shrubs

Remove hedge and replace with perennial planting

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Tree planting Continue existing linear planting along the path to form western edge to Gallatown Park Specie: Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Groups of trees within southern part of park, amongst play area Species: Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Betula pubescens (Downy Birch)

Groups of tree planting within southern part of park New tree planting to continue existing linear tree line

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Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

Plan not to scale

Long grass & wildflower Dunn

ikier

Way

(1)

Create visual link into park from entrance & create welcoming entrance

(2)

(4)

Park Rd

Remove small trees & shrubs Seed wildflowers at entrance

Wildflower seeding is proposed: (5) At the entrance from Park Road creating a welcoming and colourful space Overall it is critical however that a min. 1m wide wellkept regularly mown edge is retained in order for the long grass & wildflower areas to appear intentional and well maintained.

(5) (3) KEY

To provide different textures, scent and experiences and increase biodiversity long grass areas are proposed: (1) To the North along Dunnikier Way and underneath the existing avenue planting (2) To the Western edge of the park along the existing linear tree planting (3) Within the Southern part of the park around the play and sport equipment to offer a different experience and feel to the park. Paths and small areas should be mown amongst the long grass for informal paths and play.

(4) At the entrance from Park Road All long grass areas can be seeded or planted with oxeye daisies plugs for additional interest.

Existing mown grass Existing hedge Proposed long grass Proposed wildflower

Plan not to scale

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Overton Community Centre Creating usuable, welcoming and connected outdoor spaces The recently build centre offers fantastic activities and a meeting point for the local and wider communities.

However the access to the building is unclear and not practical at times. The surrounding spaces do not offer any opportunity to take activities into the outdoors.

Design principles: • Involve and work with centre users to decide on final improvements for the outdoor spaces • Create a visible and welcoming main entrance, e.g. signage, lighting, awning, attractive planting, seating • Create different areas to front and back of building: Front with wildflower seeing; Back with tree planting and long grass; Tree species: Whitebeam (Sorbus aria), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) • Seed Scottish wildflowers to front creating colourful and welcoming approach (poppies had been seeded in the past) • Create direct path from car park to main hall/ back entrance – important e.g. event deliveries • Create an outdoor area for outdoor activities/ sitting outside/ taking tables out • Mark outdoor area with an informal boundary such as planters & flowers (no fence) • Use planters to stop cars driving in and on grass • Install natural play elements • Install seating for people to rest and meet - including raised planters to be able to touch and smell plans • Create a designated and attractive bin store area, e.g. timber store, integrated insect hotels, green roof 46

Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

Overton Community Centre

KEY

Car park

Plan not to scale

Main entrance Existing mown grass Existing shrubs Proposed long grass Proposed wildflower Existing tree planting Proposed tree planting Proposed path (indicative) Proposed outdoor area Proposed natural play area Proposed seating Existing bin area - Include OCC bins & upgrade

Precedent images Create a visible and welcoming entrance

Create outdoor seating area

Create direct path to car park Create no parking area for free access at dropped kerb

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Highlands & Islands Area

“It’s a concrete jungle.”

Local resident

Improve the outdoor spaces with planting and colour Over the years existing trees, shrubs and seating have been removed and not replaced, resulting in a quite harsh and grey environment.

The proposals are to retrofit planting and upgrading existing spaces to create a softer environment with green views and opportunities for different activities.

Design principles: • Involve and work with residents and tenants & residents association to develop final improvements for the outdoor spaces • Provide areas with long grass for diversity and increasing biodiversity • Tree Planting (1) Along road verge; Species: Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) (2) Within paved areas in front of building; Species: Cherry trees (Prunus spp), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) (3) Underused car park (Caithness Pl) could turn into an orchard (4) Within amenity greenspaces; Species: Whitebeam (Sorbus aria), Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Atropurpureum’ (Sycamore maple), Pinus sylvestris (Scot’s Pine), Cherry trees (Prunus spp), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Crab apple (Malus sylvestris), Fruit trees • Upgrade existing brick planters with painting/ artworks and all-year-round and sensory planting • Install colourful creative play elements within large tarmac area 48

Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements

(3)

(4)

(1)

(2)

(4)

(1)

(2)

KEY Existing mown grass Proposed long grass Existing tree planting Proposed tree planting Proposed play area Proposed artwork

Plan not to scale

(3) Orchard on existing car park (retaining access to garages)

Clean and upgrade planters wtih painting/ mosaic/ artworks and planting

Creative play installation

(2) Tree planting

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