Have your say on Fife’s open spaces

Overview

Why your views matter

Your input in this consultation will help shape the future Fife’s open and green spaces. It will guide the development of the next Local Development Plan by:

• Identifying and safeguarding valuable open and green spaces from potential development
• Providing evidence to improve open and green spaces
• Highlighting opportunities to strengthen our local green network

Your feedback plays a vital role in making sure every significant open space is considered in the audit. It also helps us gain a full understanding of any areas where local provision may be lacking.

Legislation

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced a requirement for planning authorities to prepare and publish an Open Space Strategy which includes green space. The 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.

The Act defines open space as:

• Open space, including green space, is the 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.
   
• Green infrastructure means features of natural and built environments and the connections between them that provide a range of ecosystems and social benefits.
   
• Green networks are connected areas of green infrastructure and open space.

To develop the strategy, we are undertaking an audit of existing open space, including green space, provision and an assessment of current and future requirements.

How we will use your information

The information provided by you will be used by Fife Council as Planning Authority to prepare and publish an Open Space Strategy. The results of this survey could also be used to inform Fife Council's Greenspace Strategy. The information will not be disclosed to third parties except as described below.

The Council may check information provided by you, or information about you provided by a third party, with other information held by us. We may also get information from certain third parties or share your information with them in order to verify its accuracy, prevent or detect crime, protect public funds or where required by law.

For further information, please look at the Privacy Policy | Fife Council.