fv_minibanner

Related Studies

Back to Studies

Open Space Review: Basis for Public Consultation


Description

Customer
Stirling Council
Challenge
Provide detailed, up-to-date information on open space in the Stirling Council area.
Solution
Revised open space dataset and mapping tools to support the online public consultation.
Benefits
Comprehensive record of open space in the council area that can be used as basis for informed decision-making.

Customer

Stirling Council

Challenge

Provide detailed, up-to-date information on open space in the Stirling Council area.

Solution

Revised open space dataset and mapping tools to support the online public consultation.

Benefits

Comprehensive record of open space in the council area that can be used as basis for informed decision-making.

Services

Consultancy: data management and technical.

"The Open Space dataset will ensure that Stirling Council can continue to make informed decisions about the planning, management and maintenance of open space.  This will increase the benefits of this valuable resource to the public."

Donald Balsillie, Countryside Services, Stirling Council.


Challenge

Stirling Council's first created an open space dataset that covered open spaces in principal towns and villages across the council area based on land use classifications.
We were appointed to review and update the authority’s open space data, to enable them to carry out a consultation on its use and value to the wider community.
Stirling Council's first created an open space dataset that covered open spaces in principal towns and villages across the council area based on land use classifications.We were appointed to review and update the authority’s open space data, to enable them to carry out a consultation on its use and value to the wider community.

Solution

Open Space Data Review
The review was carried out in two stages. The first was a semi-automated classification to identify, classify and to some degree eliminate some urban land use types (e.g. roads and paths). Stage two involved a more detailed assessment of the remaining data based on interpretation of aerial photography and evaluation of OS Mastermap codes and the existing open space data.  The end result was a comprehensive record of open spaces across the study area.
Online Mapping Tool
Functionality was also developed to support the council’s online consultation with the public. This allowed members of the public to identify a particular area that they knew about and to submit comments that would be linked to the particular open space.

Open Space Data Review

The review was carried out in two stages. The first was a semi-automated classification to identify, classify and to some degree eliminate some urban land use types (e.g. roads and paths). Stage two involved a more detailed assessment of the remaining data based on interpretation of aerial photography and evaluation of OS Mastermap codes and the existing open space data.  The end result was a comprehensive record of open spaces across the study area.

Online Mapping Tool

Functionality was also developed to support the council’s online consultation with the public. This allowed members of the public to identify a particular area that they knew about and to submit comments that would be linked to the particular open space.

Results

The Open Space data will provide a valuable resource for Stirling Council staff and it’s partners and will deliver a range of benefits for many years to come:
Information Quality
• Comprehensive picture of open space across the Stirling Council area that can be used to inform both strategic policy and operational decision-making.
• Valuable baseline against which to assess the success of future policies and management decisions.
• Information that conforms with nationally agreed standards.
Community Engagement
• Online consultation allows Stirling Council to gather valuable information relating to the open space needs and aspirations of local communities.
• Map-based survey response tools allow the council to capture the views and detailed local knowledge of the people who live close to areas of open space and who know them best.
Service Delivery
• Improved information allowing the council to develop and implement the Open Space strategy.
• A valuable resource for staff embarking on a wide range of operational activities.
Value for Money
• Information will allow the council to establish maintenance requirements and to make best-value decisions.
• Approach eliminated unnecessary steps and reduced the potential for error.
• Data is now easy to update so that it remains relevant and accurate.

The Open Space data will provide a valuable resource for Stirling Council staff and it’s partners and will deliver a range of benefits for many years to come:

Information Quality

  • Comprehensive picture of open space across the Stirling Council area that can be used to inform both strategic policy and operational decision-making.
  • Valuable baseline against which to assess the success of future policies and management decisions.
  • Information that conforms with nationally agreed standards. 

Community Engagement

  • Online consultation allows Stirling Council to gather valuable information relating to the open space needs and aspirations of local communities.
  • Map-based survey response tools allow the council to capture the views and detailed local knowledge of the people who live close to areas of open space and who know them best.

Service Delivery

  • Improved information allowing the council to develop and implement the Open Space strategy. 
  • A valuable resource for staff embarking on a wide range of operational activities.

Value for Money

  • Information will allow the council to establish maintenance requirements and to make best-value decisions.
  • Approach eliminated unnecessary steps and reduced the potential for error.
  • Data is now easy to update so that it remains relevant and accurate.

Related Documents

Open Space Review: Basis for Public Consultation