Green Networks - Vacant and Derelict Land Study

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Green Network Vacant and Derelict Land Study

For Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan

Joint Committee

June 2006

O:\PROJECTS\0609sac\Reports\Green Network Final Report 6.6.06.doc

Green Network Vacant and Derelict Land Study

For Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan

Joint Committee

Prepared by: Checked by: Mike Staples John Cleland 45 Timberbush Bernard Street Leith Edinburgh EH6 6QH Tel: 0131 555 5011 Fax: 0131 555 4911 Email [email protected]

Planning, Transport & Environment

Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee June 2006

Green Network Vacant and Derelict Land Study RPS Planning, Transport & EnvironmentSAC0609/MS/DHFinal

This report has been prepared within theRPS Group Quality Management System toBritish Standard EN ISO 9001 : 2000

STATUS: FINAL

DATE: 7 JUNE 2006

PROJECT MANAGER:

PROJECT REVIEWER:


Green Network Vacant and Derelict Land Study RPS Planning, Transport & Environment SAC0609/MS/DH Final

Contents

1. Introduction...................................................................... 1

1.1 Background ............................................................................................1 1.2 Study Objectives ....................................................................................1

2. Strategic Overview .......................................................... 3

3. Site Characterisation....................................................... 5

4. Prioritisation Matrix ....................................................... 11

5. Project Plan .................................................................... 14

6. Conclusions and Recommendations........................... 20

6.1 Conclusions..........................................................................................20 6.2 Recommendations ...............................................................................24 Appendix 1 – Ladyburn.................................................................................25 Appendix 2 – Keir Hardie Street...................................................................26 Appendix 3 – Gilmour Street ........................................................................27 Appendix 4 – Whitecroft ...............................................................................28 Appendix 5 – Port Glasgow..........................................................................29 Appendix 6 – Park Farm South ....................................................................30 Appendix 7 – Park Farm North.....................................................................31 Appendix 8 – Woodhall.................................................................................32 Appendix 9 – Brucehill..................................................................................33 Appendix 10 – Johnstone.............................................................................34 Appendix 11 – Ferguslie Park ......................................................................35 Appendix 12 – Palacerigg.............................................................................36 Appendix 13 – Craigend ...............................................................................37 Appendix 14 – Garthamlock.........................................................................38 Appendix 15 – Bishoploch ...........................................................................39 Appendix 16 – Gartcosh ...............................................................................40


Green Network Vacant and Derelict Land Study RPS Planning, Transport & Environment SAC0609/MS/DH Final

Appendix 17 – Easterhouse .........................................................................41 Appendix 18 – Stepps...................................................................................42 Appendix 19 – Broadfield .............................................................................43 Appendix 20 – Dumbarton Foreshore .........................................................44 Appendix 21 – Dumbuck...............................................................................45 Appendix 22 – Bardrainney..........................................................................46 Figure A – Growth Corridors and Green Network Figure B(i) – Site Locations, Northeast Corridor Figure B(ii) – Site Locations, Western Corridor Figure C(i) – Site Rankings, Northeast Corridor Figure C(ii) – Site Rankings, Western Corridor Figures 1.1-1.22 – Site Location Plans Figures 2.1-2.22 – Site Photographs Figures 3.1-3.22 – Ecology Phase 1 Map Figures 4.1-4.22 – Designated Areas Figures 5.1–5.22 – Woodland Table 1 – Prioritisation Matrix Explanation Table 2 – Prioritisation Matrix


Green Network Vacant and Derelict Land Study 1 RPS Planning, Transport & Environment SAC0609/MS/DH Final

1. Introduction 1.1 Background

RPS was commissioned by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee (in partnership with the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage) to produce a Vacant and Derelict Land Study in respect of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network (Green Network). The Green Network is a strategic initiative designed to revolutionise the supply and quality of green space across the Glasgow Metropolitan Region. This will be achieved via a programme of projects to be delivered across a diverse range of sites. The programme will be designed to form an integrated network of green space. One of the key objectives of the Green Network is to help create a competitive, high quality environment within the four Clyde Valley Structure Plan growth corridors. This study relates to two of the strategic corridors – Northeast to Cumbernauld and West to Greenock. The Green Network is linked to the overall regeneration strategy for Glasgow and the Clyde Valley and in this respect this report has a strategic role to play.

1.2 Study Objectives The purpose of this study, which is presented below, is to conduct surveys of identified vacant and derelict sites, open and semi-natural land and woodland within the growth corridors to assess their suitability for green enhancement. It is intended that this work will form the basis of a series of pilot projects that will initiate delivery of the Green Network and inform the development of a delivery strategy across the whole Green Network. It is also intended that this study should identify and prioritise primary projects with a short-term delivery and secondary projects with longer-term deliverables. However, the proposed projects must fit into the wider strategic goals of the Green Network. The following objectives were identified for the study: • to identify vacant and derelict sites, open and semi-natural land and woodland

lying within the two growth corridors; • to assess the potential of identified sites for environmental enhancement in

order to contribute to the overall Green Network; • to prioritise those sites deemed most suitable based upon deliverability, size

and ability to generate public benefit; • to identify project opportunities on identified sites across a range of Green

uses in order to expand and create linkages within the Green Network; • to identify a first phase of short-term projects that can be easily delivered and

a second-phase of longer-term projects; • to assess any action that could be undertaken to enhance the benefits being

delivered via the positive management of identified naturalised sites; and • to link proposed activities to the overall strategic goals of the Green Network.



In order to meet these objectives, the study comprised the following activities: • Site Characterisation Framework – a detailed assessment of each of the

identified sites, including appraisal of ground conditions, location, ecology and landscape;

• Prioritisation Matrix – prioritisation of the identified sites based on the findings of the assessments and taking into account “deliverability” of green enhancements and potential benefits;

• Project Plan – based upon those sites deemed most suitable for enhancement, a series of potential landscape projects will be proposed, taking into account timeframe and cost; and

• Conclusions and Recommendations – a summary of the report findings, relating the project proposals to the overall strategic goals of the green network and a series of recommendations relating to the manner in which the proposals may be progressed.

Although this study is focussed on two of the growth corridors, it is noted that the methodology adopted and tested through the course of the study will inform a delivery strategy for the remainder of the Green Network. The study will therefore seek to establish a better understanding of: • the minimum site information, and particularly constraints, that are required to

be understood to usefully inform the feasibility of project ideas; • the practicability of various categories of project ideas in relation to costs,

delivery partners and sources of funding; and • the deliverability of broader strategic gains, public benefits and linkages with

the wider regeneration agenda throughout the Green Network.



2. Strategic Overview

This study sets out to identify deliverable opportunities presented by individual sites within the Green Network and their specific attributes. However, it is important that any proposals can be linked to the wider strategic goals of the initiative; in particular that of creating an integrated network of quality green space. Figure A demonstrates the two growth corridors to which this report refers and the Green Network areas that the corridor overlaps. The Green Network has an overall goal of improving the urban environment by enhancing and managing green space across the Glasgow Metropolitan area. The initiative will also wish to ensure that cumulative effects of green enhancement maximise public and regeneration benefits. These factors will be taken into account when prioritising sites. The physical regeneration of the Clyde Valley area has been given strategic importance at a national level. The geographic priorities of the Scottish Executive’s Regeneration Statement (March 2006) identify the Clyde Corridor as the national regeneration priority, encompassing the Clyde Gateway, Clyde Waterfront and Riverside Inverclyde initiatives. The Green Network has an extremely important role to play in terms of ensuring that urban regeneration is inclusive of quality, usable green space, creating a healthy living environment and contributing to sustainability. Green Network policy is informed by a number of strategic priorities that relate to the overall area regeneration of the Clyde Valley. To provide further strategic context and reflect the aims and objectives of the Green Network partners, the following have also been taken into account in the production of this report: • Technical Report (TR 5/05), Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Green Network; • Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework; • 2006 Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan Alteration; and • Regeneration strategies relating to flagship initiatives falling within the study

area: Clyde Waterfront, Riverside Inverclyde, Bishopton and Gartcosh. This report relates to identifying potential pilot projects within two growth corridors to the west and northeast of Glasgow. Any pilot activity will have a significant strategic role to play in the development of the overall Green Network. In recognition of this, it has been ensured that the priorities of each of the Green Network partners have been taken into consideration when assessing the suitability of sites for green enhancement. This information was utilised in the development of the Prioritisation Matrix (Section 5). Although the purpose of this report is to identify and assess the suitability of sites for enhancement, we will also seek to address the wider strategic goal of creating a “network” of green sites. Therefore we will take into account the potential to form a link between potential sites and areas, in addition to the size of individual sites.

Status: FinalDrawn By: KMApproved By: MSRevision: Figure 8.1Date: 02/06/06 �

Green Network Vacant and Derelict Land Survey

Figure A

Growth Corridors andGreen Network

0 1,900 3,800950 m

Scale @ A3

LegendGrowth Corridors

Green Network



3. Site Characterisation

The following is a description of the methodology applied to the growth corridors in order to identify the sites that are subjected to detailed appraisal within the Site Characterisation Framework. A series of Desk Studies were undertaken utilising GIS and the Green Network Dataset with a view to identifying: • the location and distribution of the priority sites with the Green Network and

growth corridors; • analysis of the main routes and thoroughfares from which the sites will be

prominent and impressions of environmental and landscape quality gained; • any existing published landscape characterisation of areas in which the sites

fall (including any broadbrush or site-specific management strategies and enhancement objectives identified);

• the formal landscape policy context for each site; and • any other citywide policies or strategies relevant to the future use of sites.

The Study was undertaken in 3 distinct stages: • Identification of sites that lie within the overlap area of growth corridors and

Green Network area. • Identification of any vacant or derelict land sites that lie within the overlap

area. This identified 257 sites. • The identification of “open and semi-natural land” and woodland areas within

the overlap area. This identified a further 1281 sites.

The above stages identified 1537 potential sites. An initial phase of prioritisation was applied to the sites in order to identify those most suitable for detailed assessment. Initial prioritisation focussed on areas of vacant and derelict land because: i) removal of sites from the Vacant and Derelict Land Register is a priority of the

Green Network; and ii) GIS identified that a number of vacant and derelict sites are surrounded by

large areas of open and semi-natural land and woodland that could be combined to form larger sites.

Further prioritisation was based on attributes of the vacant and derelict sites (site ownership, previous use, time vacant and potential future use as set out by local area plans). A similar exercise was undertaken in relation to open and semi-natural land, based upon land type. This desk-based prioritisation identified a total of 43 vacant and derelict land sites and 1092 open and semi-natural land sites. These were identified on GIS and used to create new polygon shapefiles, followed by a manual scan of the vacant and derelict and open and semi-natural sites lying within the Green Network / growth corridor overlap. This culminated in the identification of a total of 22 sites with the greatest potential for green enhancement. These sites are shown (by growth corridor) as Figures B(i) and B(ii).



Site walkovers and assessment of the 22 sites were subsequently conducted as part of the assessment process to consider aspects including Contaminated Land, Ecology and Landscape, including Landscape Architecture, which is addressed in further detail below.

Site 18

Site 17

Site 16

Site 13

Site 12

Site 14

Site 15

Status: FinalDrawn By: KMApproved By: JDRevision: Figure 6.2Date: 01/06/06 �

Green Network Vacant and Derelict Land SurveyPrioritisation Matrix

Figure B(i)

Site LocationsNortheast corridor

Site Numbersand Ranking Outcome

Site 12 PalaceriggSite 13 CraigendSite 14 GarthamlockSite 15 Bishop LochSite 16 GartcoshSite 17 EasterhouseSite 18 Stepps

0 1,000 2,000500 m

Scale @ A3

LegendSite Boundary

Growth Corridors

Green Network

Site 5

Site 9Site 21

Site 22

Site 20

Site 3

Site 1Site 2

Site 6Site 7

Site 4

Site 19

Site 8

Site 11

Site 10

Status: FinalDrawn By: KMApproved By: InitialsRevision: Figure 6.2Date: 01/06/06 �


Figure B(ii)

Site LocationsWestern Corridor


Site 1 LadybburnSite 2 Keir Hardie StreetSite 3 Gilmour StreetSite 4 WhitecroftSite 5 Port GlasgowSite 6 Park Farm SouthSite 7 Park Farm NorthSite 8 WoodhallSite 9 BrucehillSite 10 JohnstoneSite 11 Ferguslie ParkSite 19 BroadfieldSite 20 Dumbarton ForeshoreSite 21 DumbuckSite 22 Bardrainney

0 940 1,880470 m

Scale @ A3

LegendSite Boundary

Growth Corridors

Green Network



Landscape Following the completion of the initial identification of the 22 priority sites the landscape assessments were made by completing a landscape specific desk studies followed by site walkovers. The desk studies principally comprised identification of Local Plan allocations (site and immediate context), local character assessment context and extracts from the Green Network schedule of actions. The site walkovers took into account Context, Appearance, Landscape Quality, Accessibility and Current Use. Landscape enhancement potential was considered under the following headings: • Appearance (generally small scale cosmetic interventions at key nodes and

site frontages that can be achieved over the short term); • Improving Landscape Quality (principally the nature, quality and diversity of

the land cover – e.g. woodlands, grassland etc.); • Improving Accessibility; and • New/additional Uses (including consideration of the potential to formalise as

public open spaces/parks). The following provides a summary of the key issues and themes identified by the Landscape Architects in relation to each of the two strategic growth corridors: Northeastern

• Proximity to country parks – Drumpellier, Palacerigg • Proximity to lochs – Hogganfield, Woodend, Lochend • Agricultural/open space context • Large areas of diverse woodland • Surrounded by some socially deprived housing estates • Situated along railway lines • VDL under development or areas of open grassland

The northeastern corridor already enjoys relatively high levels of landscape quality and further enhancements could be achieved for relatively lower costs over the short to medium term. Key potential areas for intervention across the Green Network include: • Woodland management; • Path re-surfacing; • Seating provision; • Signage; • Footpath linkages (linking to other sites in the area); and • Encouraging use of amenity grassland.

Western

• Urban areas along firth of Clyde • Proximity to industrial – port type land use • Mostly deprived housing estates • Smaller areas of scrubby woodland • Railway lines run through • VDL a mixture of grassland and derelict areas



The western corridor is highly industrialised with extensive areas of relatively poor quality housing. Enhancement of the Green Network is likely to require higher investment over the longer term. Site Characterisation Framework

The Site Characterisation Framework is shown at Appendices 1-22. This reports the findings of the detailed analysis of the individual sites. For each of the 22 sites, the Characterisation Framework contains: • Executive Summary; • Site Description and Usage; • Ecology and Environmental Setting; • Details of Consultations; • Potential for Greening Ranking Model (information applied within the

Prioritisation Matrix); • Recommendations (opportunities for landscape enhancement]).



4. Prioritisation Matrix The detailed information shown within the Site Characterisation Framework was used to prioritise individual sites with a view to determine feasibility for green enhancement. Individual sites have been scored against a range of identified priorities that seek to take into account the overall strategic goals of the Green Network. The priorities take into account the ease with which potential greening may occur (deliverability) and the potential wider benefits in fitting with the objective of creating a high-quality environment and addressing wider benefits in keeping with the strategic goals of the Green Network. The Prioritisation Matrix therefore takes into account: Deliverability Factors: Current uses and access, existing structures, ownership, and potential Contamination. Strategic Enhancement Benefits: Proximity to residential properties, proximity to schools, proximity to road networks and public transport, proximity to areas of deprivation, length of time vacant, size, ecology, enhancement opportunities and potential to function as part of a larger green wedge. The prioritisation scorings are then used to apply a High, Moderate or Low rating in terms of their potential for deliverable green enhancement. Shown below at Table 1 is an explanation of the ranking score attached to each of the priorities. It should be noted that each category has an equal weighting e.g. proximity to schools has not been assumed as being more important than ecology. The matrix assumes that all categories are equally important. Table 2 is the detailed Prioritisation Matrix. This document is used to inform the project plan and conclusions and recommendations of this report.

PRIORITISATION MATRIX EXPLANATION

Current Uses/Access Existing structures Ownership

Potential Contamination

Issues

Proximity toResidential Properties

Proximity toSchools

Proximity toTransport Links (roadsnetwork)

Proximity toPublic Transport Links

Proximity toAreas ofDeprivation

Length ofTime Vacant

Size (Ha) Ecology baseline Enhancement opportunities

Potential functionas a green wedge

1 Open land/Grass No structurespublic authority owned

No contamination issues identified

Adjacent Adjacent On site On site 5% mostdeprived >15 years Site area is

>50ha

The site of part of the site is designated for nature conservation.

Large benefit from low cost measures in the short term.

Wedges of green space with urban development on two sides and a link to the countryside or other larger areas of green space.

2 Open land with someaccess restrictions

Service Structures Other public

Possible lowrisk contamination issues identified and/or verysmall area ofsite potentiallyaffected

Within 250m Within 250m Adjacent Adjacent 10% most

deprivedBetween 5-10 years

Site area isbetween 25-50 ha

Supports ancient woodland.

Marginal benefit from low cost measures in any term.

Larger green spaces within urban areas, but with no links to the countryside.

3 Open land with severeaccess restrictions

Structures covering < 5%of total area

Mix ownership

Localised areas withinthe site ofpotentially contaminative historical/current use.

Within 0.5km Within 500m Within 250m Within 250m 15% most

deprived Between 2-5 years

Site area isbetween 15and 24 ha

Supports woodland of semi-natural origin.

Large benefit from high cost measures in any term.

Small and fragmented areas of open space with no links to other parts of the green network.

4 Derelict land andbuildings

Derelict buildings

Known private

Widespread potential contamination issues (highrisk historicaluse)

Onsite comprising <40% totalarea

Within 1Km Within 500m Within 500m 20% mostdeprived < 2 years

Site area isbetween 5and 14 ha

Supports woodland of plantation origin.

Marginal benefit from high cost measures in any term.

Green space peripheral to urban areas.

5 Under development New buildings Unknown private

Evidence ofcontamination

Onsite comprising >40% of totalarea

On site Within 1km Within 1km All others No longervacant

Site area is< 5ha

Minimal or no ecological interest

No opportunities identified.

Does not function as a green wedge or wildlife corridor

Rank

Benefits of Enhancement Deliverability

PRIORITISATION MATRIX

SITE NO. SITE NAME Current uses Existing Structures Ownership

Potential Contamination Issues

Proximity toResidential Properties

Proximity toSchools

Proximity to Transport

Proxcimity to PublicTransport Links

Proxcimity toareas ofdeprivation

Length ofTime Vacant

Size Ecology Baseline

Enhancement opportunities

Green wedges and wildlife corridors

Overall Score

13 Craigend 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 17 high15 Bishop Loch 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 20 high8 Woodhall 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 2 1 2 4 2 2 4 28 moderate-high4 Whitecroft 2 1 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 29 moderate-high11 Ferguslie Park 2 3 3 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 1 29 moderate-high16 Gartcosh 1 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 5 5 29 moderate-high3 Gilmour Street 2 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 3 1 3 2 4 30 moderate17 Easterhouse 2 2 1 2 1 3 1 2 2 2 2 4 2 4 30 moderate6 Park Farm South 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 3 5 4 2 4 31 moderate5 Port Glasgow 1 2 3 2 1 4 1 1 4 1 5 3 2 3 33 moderate2 Keir Hardie Street 2 3 3 3 1 2 1 2 3 1 4 3 2 3 33 moderate19 Broadfield 2 1 5 2 1 3 1 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 33 moderate10 Johnstone 1 2 3 4 1 1 1 1 5 1 3 3 3 4 33 moderate1 LadyBurn 2 3 3 3 2 3 1 1 3 1 4 3 2 3 34 moderate-low12 Palacerigg 2 1 4 1 3 4 1 2 2 5 1 2 2 4 34 moderate-low18 Stepps 2 2 3 3 1 3 1 2 5 2 3 3 2 3 35 moderate-low20 Dumbarton Foreshore 1 1 5 3 2 3 1 2 5 5 2 1 3 4 38 low22 Bardrainney 1 1 5 2 1 3 1 3 5 5 4 3 2 4 40 low14 Garthamlock 5 3 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 5 4 5 5 5 41 low9 BruceHill 5 3 5 2 2 2 3 3 3 1 4 4 2 3 42 low7 Park Farm North 1 2 1 2 1 3 3 5 2 3 5 5 5 5 43 low21 Dumbuck 5 5 5 3 1 1 1 2 5 5 2 5 5 5 45 low



5. Project Plan

The purpose of the Project Plan is to develop a series of Green Enhancement proposals that will form the basis of initial project delivery by the Green Network within the two growth corridors. Projects are proposed in relation to those sites deemed by the Prioritisation Matrix to have greatest ease of deliverability and greatest benefit in terms of creating a high quality, competitive environment.

This section identifies those sites given a High or Moderate-High greening potential as Short-term deliverables and those sites with a Moderate potential as Longer-term projects. The Site Characterisation Framework within Appendices 1-22 contains Recommendations on each of the 22 sites that outline the opportunities for green enhancement in detail. They also contain commentary on timeframe and cost. This project plan summaries these findings in relation to sites with a High or Moderate potential. For the purposes of the Project Plan we have not considered those sites given a Low potential to be suitable for Green Enhancement. However, these sites are still subject to recommendations within the Characterisation Framework. Reference is also made to the potential for sites to be linked in order to form a wider network of strategic greening.

Site Prioritisation Ranking

The Prioritisation Matrix ranks the 22 sites as shown below by score and greening potential.

SITE GREENING SCORE

(BY RANKING) GREENING POTENTIAL PROJECT

INTERVENTION 13: Craigend 17 High Short-term 15: Bishop Loch 20 High Short-term 8: Woodhall 28 Moderate-High Short-term 4: Woodcroft 29 Moderate-High Short-term 11: Ferguslie Park 29 Moderate-High Short-term 16: Gartcosh 29 Moderate-High Short-term 3. Gilmour Street 30 Moderate Longer-term 17: Easterhouse 30 Moderate Longer-term 6: Park Farm South 31 Moderate Longer-term 5: Port Glasgow 33 Moderate Longer-term 2: Keir Hardie Street 33 Moderate Longer-term 19: Broadfield 33 Moderate Longer-term 10: Johnstone 33 Moderate Longer-term 1: Ladyburn 34 Moderate-Low 12: Palacerigg 34 Moderate-Low 18: Stepps 35 Moderate-Low 20: Dumbarton Foreshore 38 Low 22: Bardrainney 40 Low 14: Garthamlock 41 Low 9: Brucehill 42 Low 7: Park Farm North 43 Low 21: Dumbuck 45 Low



Nature of the Proposals

Proposals identified for each site vary from small-scale interventions to more ambitious changes in land use, site status and site management responsibilities. No detailed investigation has been carried out to assess the feasibility of establishing new management arrangements. Where potential new uses are identified, these are not supported at this stage by an assessment of current provision in the vicinity and areas of need across the city (e.g. public park provision, play provision, sport provision). Recommendations are simply based on an assessment of the physical suitability of the site for potential open space developments. All proposals have been identified as likely to be of relatively low, medium or high cost. No actual cost predictions are provided.

Short Term Interventions Each of the sites outlined below have been deemed to have a high deliverability rating within prioritisation. The nature of proposed enhancements on these sites reflects the desire to achieve Green Network goals in the short-term. Site 13: Craigend This is an excellent site for enhancement, encompassing a large area of vacant and derelict land, existing green space and woodland. It is well placed to provide a public asset within an area of significant deprivation, in addition to improving the overall attractiveness of the area for future regeneration. Strategically, site 13 is well placed to link with a number of sites with a view to forming a wider network. A range of quick improvements have been identified that would enhance the “usability” of this site. This includes the removal of rubbish from the vacant and derelict part of the site, adding signage to an existing system of paths, creating a formal entrance at the northeast of the site and adding benches and litter bins to the area already used as green space. In the longer-term, tree planting adjacent to housing and formal management of the woodland and greenspace, would contribute to creating a high quality and significant green site. Site 15: Bishop Loch This site also has the potential to contribute strategically to the wider network of sites and intervention could ensure that proposed development is undertaken in keeping with the objectives of the Green Network. This is a large area with excellent landscape and ecological qualities, but has been subject to misuse. Providing a link between new housing developments and Easterhouse, the site can also contribute to the overall competitiveness of the wider area. Initially, removal of fly tipping and cars and the replacement of burnt grassland would greatly enhance the site. The site benefits from wetland habitats with bird and invertebrate populations and native woodland. This has the potential to be enhanced as a recreational resource via the provision of signage, information boards, boardwalks, bird hides and picnic opportunities. In the longer term, such activity would call for the development of a management strategy for the site. Areas of vacant and derelict land could be utilised to create play



and sports areas, again providing opportunities to engage the community and discourage current anti-social uses on the site. Site 8: Woodhall In this case, proposed landscape enhancement would fulfil the function of improving the environment in an area of significant deprivation that will be subject to future regeneration. In this sense, short-term, achievable enhancements can improve the short-term appeal of an area in need of re-development. Proposals include the removal of fly tipping and graffiti, clearance of scrub from the corridor and creation of access down to the river. In the longer-term, management and enhancement could be applied to the woodland, which would continue to be of benefit in the event of future development. Additionally, the site is adjacent to Site 19 (identified for longer-term enhancement), so there is the potential to integrate sites to form a strategic green corridor via the supply of footpath linkages. Site 4: Whitecroft

This site could be significantly improved via a series of short-term enhancements and has the potential to engage the community. The site is inclusive of vacant and derelict land and existing woodland. Initially refuse may be removed and vegetation removed from paths in order to improve accessibility. The removal of existing railings around the vacant and derelict area would serve to open up the site. Avenue tree planting along the edge would integrate the green area and housing and it is proposed that gorse colonisation could be used to diversify landcover. It is additionally proposed that the vacant and derelict area be turned into community allotments, thus engaging the community and providing an active and educational resource. This is an area of social deprivation and mis-use of this site must be discouraged. Allotments would encourage a sense of community ownership, as well as providing a valuable use of unused vacant and derelict land. Again with Whitecroft, there is proximity to other sites that could be linked via footpaths to provide a wider strategic integration of Green sites.

Site 11: Ferguslie Park This site could be greatly improved via a series of minor enhancements and that also has the potential to provide valuable community facilities on areas of vacant and derelict land. Enhancement on this site has the potential to improve the competitiveness of a socially deprived area and the attractiveness of one part of the site that has been earmarked for future development. In the short-term, rubbish and graffiti removal and the clearance of low quality vegetation would improve the site’s usability. The site benefits from excellent woodland that could be enhanced by the introduction of signed walkways and the area would benefit from improved site management. A disused railway embankment at the site could be adapted to provide a footpath, to allowing local residential areas and a school to have access to the site. Therefore a strategic link could be formed between community and the improved green space / any new community facilities (including a link to Site 10). This would be enhanced by implementing a footpath link to the Palacerigg Country Park.



Proposed community facilities on the vacant and derelict site could be used to house a skate park, football pitch and play areas in a location that currently lacks community facilities.

Site 16: Gartcosh This site is currently earmarked for a business park development and is a strategically important site for Scottish Enterprise. Therefore, the purpose of any greening proposals would be to enhance the environment for those people who might occupy and use the developed site. A railway station has recently opened on the site, which is actively used by commuters. The significance of green enhancement is that it could be utilised to link the site (via the river) to the local residential community of Marnock, thus enhancing the attractiveness of both areas. Proposed enhancements would include improvements to the existing woodland and creation of the riverside access between Gartcosh and Marnock. Longer-Term Interventions Each of the sites identified for longer-term intervention is regarded as having significant potential in terms of contributing to the strategic objectives of the Green Network, but enhancements are more likely to be achieved in the longer-term. Site 3: Gilmour Street This site largely comprises existing woodland, which includes some vacant and derelict land. The site provides an excellent range of enhancement opportunities and an overall delivery plan is recommended for the site. Longer-term improvements to the woodland and related management are required in order to provide positive usage and capitalise on the site’s ecological benefits. Improvements to the woodland could include sign-posted routes and maps at key entrances, creation of nature trails, public art and introduction of bird and bat boxes.

The site is also adjacent to areas of deprivation and has the potential to become an excellent community and educational resource, as well as an attraction to visitors from the wider area. In the shorter term, cleaning up the site and improving access will be crucial to capitalising to the existing natural resources. It should be noted that this would include the removal of some burnt-out houses. The site is adjacent to site 2 and therefore could contribute to a wider green link.

Site 17: Easterhouse The enhancement of this site provides significant potential by strategically contributing to the wider network of enhanced green space than in terms of community benefit. This is attributable to the fact that the eastern part of the site is to be subject to industrial development. However, the site does include some woodland that has the potential to be improved and managed to increase the landscape quality of the area. Site 6: Park Farm South This site is an existing moorland and woodland with some vacant and derelict land that would benefit from straightforward enhancement to become green space with



positive usage. A strategic link could be formed with the footpaths of site 22 (Bardrainney). Notwithstanding the potential for this site we have not classified this site as a priority site for significant enhancement, as it does contain footpaths that could provide a link between the communities and schools of the area and the fringes of the countryside. The site does require to be cleaned up and existing paths re-surfaced. Enhancement could take place to the woodland and gorse areas, with further gorse colonisation being used to create a more unique moorland space. The vacant and derelict area could be enhanced for informal play, with existing rocks being incorporated as play of seating structures, thus reflecting the natural moorland context. Site 5: Port Glasgow This site includes some visually unappealing industrial property that, through effective screening, could allow the remainder of the site to be utilised for green purposes. Strategically the site is close to Site 3, and we would recommend enhancements that reflect the existing landscape qualities of this site, thus providing a visual link between the two areas. To achieve this, existing gorse on the vacant and derelict part of the site requires greater management and further gorse colonisation could be encouraged. Footpaths could also be used to link to other nearby sites in order to contribute to the wider integrated network. Additional enhancement might include tree and hedge planting to screen the industrial units, re-surfacing of existing paths, the addition of signage and lighting. The addition of some seating or a picnic area could further enhance the usability of the site.

Site 2: Keir Hardie Street This site could be quickly improved via a series of short term measures, but falls into the longer-term category largely because the dominating woodland requires enhancement and improved management in order to capitalise upon its ecological values.

Site 19: Broadfield This site has the potential to contribute to the integration of a moorland landscape character to green sites within the area. Gorse colonisation could be encouraged and the existing woodland would require to be enhanced and managed. There are areas of burnt out grass and scrub that require to be re-planted. The site has the physical advantages of excellent views across the Firth of Clyde and existing rocks that could be incorporated for play or seating. The site falls within the regeneration area of the Riverside Inverclyde project and may provide the opportunity for the Green Network to engage with the Urban Regeneration Company. Site 10: Johnstone This site could be utilised to improve the attractiveness of an area that features a private residential development and retail park. It encompasses existing woodland, vacant and derelict land and existing open grassland. The railway embankment could be used to provide an integrated link to Site 11 and the wider community and school.



The quality of this site would be improved by planting new woodland to screen the retail park, maintaining the grassland as recreational space and tree planting along streets to integrate the site to the residential area. The vacant and derelict part of the site is surrounded by houses and could become a focus for the local community, by the creation of a play space for example.



6. Conclusions and Recommendations 6.1 Conclusions

By applying a range of criteria to vacant and derelict land, open and semi-natural space and woodland overlapping the Green Network within the western and northeast growth corridors, 22 sites have been identified that have the potential to contribute to the Green Network. These sites and their designated prioritisations are shown by corridor in Figures C(i) and C(ii). The Site Characterisation Framework shown in the appendices provides the Green Network partners the opportunity to access a broad range of detailed information on each of the individual sites. These detailed findings were applied to a range of identified Priorities in order to rank the sites and determine those with the potential to contribute most successfully to the Green Network. Priorities and potential projects were designed to take into account deliverability of enhancement and likely benefits that may contribute to the overall competitiveness of the strategic corridors and quality of living environment.

Those sites identified as having the potential to contribute to the Green Network via short-term interventions are:

13: Craigend, 15: Bishoploch, 8: Woodhall, 4: Woodcroft, 11: Ferguslie Park, 16: Gartcosh.

Those sites identified as also having the potential to contribute to the Green Network, but through longer-term enhancements are:

3: Gilmour Street, 17: Easterhouse, 6: Park Farm South, 5: Port Glasgow, 2. Keir Hardie Street, 19: Broadfield, 10: Johnstone.

The nature of the proposed enhancements is referred to the within the Project Plan and outlined in greater detail within the Site Characterisation Framework. The northeastern corridor provides opportunities on a number of excellent sites that can be linked physically and by ecological interest. A number of the proposed sites are adjacent to areas of extreme deprivation in which deliverable enhancement can be used to create community assets and improve the overall quality of living environment and competitiveness. Sites 13, 15, and 17 are in close proximity to each other and have similar current land uses, consisting mainly of large areas of diverse broadleaf woodland. The context of these sites is residential and there is a comprehensive road network around them. The wider context of the site includes numerous lochs, such as Hogganfield, Bishop, Johnstone and Woodend lochs, as well as Drumpellier Country Park to the east of site 17. These attributes, combined with the agricultural and open space context of the sites, afford great potential to consolidate the corridor on a strategic level to create a series of linked high quality, recreational open spaces that have the potential to become a nationally recognised landscape resource.



The sites in the western corridor are smaller and more fragmented and, unlike the eastern corridor, less conducive to development as a major landscape resource. However, there is potential for sites 2 and 3 at Greenock to be linked; sites 10 and 11 at Johnstone; and the six sites of Port Glasgow (4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 19). These three different areas along the corridor could be consolidated to create green linkages and community facilities, which would be a valuable resource for the residents of the surrounding housing areas which are very deprived. A consistent moorland theme across the landscape of sites 5, 6 and 19 would also assist in terms of forming linkages between sites. Consolidation of the sites into a linked network of green spaces could be achieved by using a common design language to create continuity, such as use of similar materials for path resurfacing, similar signposts, seating and litter bins. Development of a public/community art strategy throughout the sites would also help form a visual link between the sites as well as a sense of ownership from the surrounding residents.

Local Nature Reserves (LNR’s) It has been noted by RPS that a number of new LNR allocations have been proposed within the two growth corridors. However, we have been informed that these designations have not yet been formalised. The proposed LNR’s are at Cardowan Moss, Robroyston, Garscadden Wood, Frankfield Loch and Waulkmill Glen. Additionally, an extension to the Bishop Loch LNR is proposed. Should they be allocated, this will have the potential to impact upon our recommendations for sites 13, 15 and 17. This has been noted within the Site Characterisation Framework. The function of an LNR is to actively engage the local community in a site of ecological interest. Henceforth, an LNR can only serve to increase the ranking potential on any of these sites. It is worth noting that each of these sites has been attributed a High or Moderate ranking within the Prioritisation Framework and are addressed within the Project Plan.

Site 18Moderate - Low

Site 17Moderate

Site 16Moderate - High

Site 13High


Site 14Low

Site 15High

Status: FinalDrawn By: KMApproved By: JDRevision: Figure 6.2Date: 01/06/06 �


Figure C(i)

Site RankingsNortheast corridor


Site 12 PalaceriggSite 13 CraigendSite 14 GarthamlockSite 15 Bishop LochSite 16 GartcoshSite 17 EasterhouseSite 18 Stepps

0 1,000 2,000500 m

Scale @ A3

LegendSite Boundary

Growth Corridors

Green Network

Site 5Moderate

Site 9Low Site 21

Low


Site 20Low

Site 3Moderate -High

Site 1Moderate - Low Site 2

Moderate

Site 6Moderate

Site 7Low


Site 19Moderate



Site 10Moderate

Status: FinalDrawn By: KMApproved By: InitialsRevision: Figure 6.2Date: 01/06/06 �


Figure C(ii)

Site RankingsWestern Corridor


Site 1 LadybburnSite 2 Keir Hardie StreetSite 3 Gilmour StreetSite 4 WhitecroftSite 5 Port GlasgowSite 6 Park Farm SouthSite 7 Park Farm NorthSite 8 WoodhallSite 9 BrucehillSite 10 JohnstoneSite 11 Ferguslie ParkSite 19 BroadfieldSite 20 Dumbarton ForeshoreSite 21 DumbuckSite 22 Bardrainney

0 940 1,880470 m

Scale @ A3

LegendSite Boundary

Growth Corridors

Green Network



6.2 Recommendations

Based on the findings of this report, the following recommendations are provided for the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network: • Pursue the short term interventions suggested for Sites 13, 15, 8, 4, 11 and

16 via the production of detailed landscape designs; • Consider an overall strategic approach to the longer-term interventions

proposed for Sites 3, 17, 6, 5, 2, 19, and 10; • Develop an enhancement strategy for the individual corridors, summarising

intended enhancements, strategic integration / linkage of sites, and long-term benefits to competitiveness, community, urban landscape and living environment. This would give the Green Network the opportunity to underline exactly what it intends to do and achieve; and

• Undertake a vacant and derelict land study in relation to the two remaining strategic growth corridors, thus allowing the Green Network to develop its overall strategy for intervention across the Clyde Valley.

Although not the purpose of this report, it is worth considering potential delivery mechanisms for enhancements at this stage. Securing the most appropriate means of delivery will allow the Green Network to engage its target stakeholders and also provides the opportunity to lever additional funding, potentially from private sources. The opportunity may exist for the Network to form a single delivery vehicle, designed to manage and deliver all enhancements, or alternatively sites could be managed on an individual basis, targeting appropriate stakeholders as projects demand. Consideration may be given to such vehicles as community and development trusts, joint venture(s), and to engaging with such stakeholders as Local Authorities, developers, local regeneration companies, community action groups, Scottish Enterprise, local enterprise companies, etc. It is important for the Green Network to consider its own funding resources, potential gaps in funding and exactly whom it wishes to engage during the delivery process. Our final recommendation would therefore be that the Green Network undertakes a detailed delivery plan at this stage, seeking to identify optimum delivery vehicles and mechanisms.

Green Networks - Vacant and Derelict Land Study

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