For the first time in over 40 years, the City of Edinburgh Council is making a comprehensive plan for open space in the city. And they want your views.

A draft open space strategy had been drawn up and is open to public consultation from today until Friday 21 May. It is the first strategy of its kind for Edinburgh, and will be updated every 5 years.

The strategy will be used to inform planning decisions on loss and provision of open space in new developments, and future management and investment decisions regarding existing open spaces.


Cllr Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader, said: "Edinburgh is fortunate to have many wonderful parks and green spaces, and in fact approximately 50 per cent of the city is open space.

"Residents and visitors value and enjoy these open spaces and we want to protect them and enhance them for future generations. I strongly encourage residents to give us their views during the consultation period."

A programme of public workshops has been planned to provide information and gain views.Alongside the consultation, the Council is running 12 public workshops for people to attend and find out more information.

A staffed information stall will be provided at Ecofusion, Holyrood Park on Sunday 11th April and Edinburgh Farmers Market on Saturday 17th April.

The draft strategy and accompanying action plans can be viewed at: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/openspacestrategy.

(GK)