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. • 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.