Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997

[F1 [F2 3G Open space strategy S

(1) A planning authority is to prepare and publish an open space strategy.

(2) An open space strategy is to set out a strategic framework of the planning authority's policies and proposals as to the development, maintenance and use of green infrastructure in their district, including open spaces and green networks.

(3) An open space strategy must contain—

(a) an audit of existing open space provision,

(b) an assessment of current and future requirements,

(c) any other matter which the planning authority consider appropriate.

(4) In this section—

• “green infrastructure” means features of the natural and built environments that provide a range of ecosystem and social benefits,

• “green networks” means connected areas of green infrastructure and open space,

• “open space” means space within and on the edge of settlements comprising green infrastructure or civic areas such as squares, market places and other paved or hard landscaped areas with a civic function.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations—

(a) make provision about how planning authorities are to discharge their functions under this section including, in particular—

(i) how they conduct an audit under subsection (3)(a), and

(ii) how they assess current and future requirements for the purposes of subsection (3)(b),

(b) amend subsection (4) by adding a definition or amending or omitting a definition for the time being specified there.

(6) For the purposes of this section a national park authority is not a planning authority.]]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 2 substituted (19.5.2008 for specified purposes, 25.6.2008 for specified purposes, 28.2.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 17), ss. 2, 59(2) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.S.I. 2008/165, arts. 1, 2 and S.S.I. 2008/427, arts. 1(1), 2-5); S.S.I. 2008/164, art. 2(1)(2), sch.; S.S.I. 2009/70, art. 2, sch.

F2 S. 3G inserted (8.11.2019 for specified purposes) by Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 (asp 13), ss. 3(2), 63(2); S.S.I. 2019/314, reg. 2, sch.