The City benefits from a large number of parks and other open spaces that link to the countryside beyond and which, together, form the existing landscape green network. The retention and enhancement of the existing network, and its extension by taking opportunities to create the missing links, will strengthen the framework within which urban regeneration can take place.

Sites of Special Landscape Importance (SSLI) have been identified for the contribution that they make to the quality of life for those who live, learn, work and play within the City. Conversely, their loss or erosion would reduce the attractiveness of the City to both citizens and visitors. National Planning Policy Guideline 14: Natural Heritage (NPPG 14) makes it clear that planning policies have an important role to play in encouraging the further enhancement of landscapes and amenity in an urban area.

Techniques of visual analysis and other recognised landscape analysis have been used to identify those areas of landscape value.

Each site is important for a variety of reasons. These include importance in terms of townscape, contribution to local amenity, or because of other visual or ecological significance. Sites may contain or consist of important landscape features such as significant trees, woodlands, other plants or planting, landform, water features or ecological habitats. They may be designed or natural and may be, or may contain, works of art. Their importance may be that they permit access to important longer views or they may be enclosed and provide a refuge from the pressures of the built-up areas.

The Plan identifies various SSLI worthy of protection. These are shown on the Environmental Policy Designations maps (see Definition).

1. There will be a presumption against any development likely to have an adverse effect on the integrity or character of a SSLI.

2. Notwithstanding the above, when proposals come forward within any SSLI they will only be considered favourably provided they meet all the following criteria:

(i) development proposals should be consistent with the Plan’s other development policies and environmental policy designations;

 

(ii) development proposals must be of a high quality design and include associated landscape works appropriate to the character of the surrounding area and in scale with the development;

(iii) proposals must include details of methods to be adopted, including legal agreements etc., to guarantee future maintenance arrangements; and

(iv) proposals must be shown in the context of the SSLI and demonstrate that they enhance established landscape character and visual amenity.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY DESIGNATION

Environmental policy designations cover the built and natural heritage of Glasgow. These areas are important because of their environmental quality, biological diversity and/or their historic, architectural or archaeological significance, and contribute positively to the quality of the environment, image and diversity of the City. The different types of environmental policy designations are listed in the key of the Environmental Policy Designations maps.