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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Aspiring Gallatown - Physical Improvements
[...] 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
