The 'go to' organisation for Local Government improvement in Scotland

The recommendations from these assessments are now being progressed:

• Wallacetown Regeneration and Housing
• Climate Change and Sustainability
• Housing

Input from the Shaping Places for Wellbeing Programme has helped to shape the housing strategy’s high-level outcomes into a long-term, council-wide strategy which will contribute to sustainable system change. Specific immediate and longer-term impacts within the full strategy document include:

• Providing clarity for the strategic and policy place context for housing in South Ayrshire
• A clear statement about the importance of public transport and active travel in relation to new housing developments
• Strong references to community spaces which enable community cohesion and support health and wellbeing
• Use of Place and Wellbeing Outcomes to connect housing with other aspects of place-making

Our story so far

The Housing Strategy Assessment was based on a series of desired outcomes rather than a detailed document. Since then, a full strategy document has been produced and this has already been endorsed by the South Ayrshire councillors. The strategy was approved by Cabinet on 29 August and is now with Scottish Government for peer review.

The Place and Wellbeing Assessment added valuable new perspectives to the process, supplementing insights gained from the public consultation. The assessment had participants from planning, communities, health and social care, place and wellbeing and the voluntary sector and resulted in 30 recommendations. Many of these have been included in the new housing strategy, and the three overarching themes are threaded throughout the document:

• a collaborative, whole council approach
• a place-based approach
• active travel

Some examples of recommendations which are now embedded in this long-term strategy are:

1. Provide clarity on the importance of place in relation to housing

The strategy clearly sets out the strategic and policy place context for housing in South Ayrshire. This includes the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes, National Planning Framework 4, Place Standard Tool, 20-minute neighbourhoods and community planning.

2. Include a statement on the importance of identifying affordable housing in locations where those living there can access public transport

The strategy has a clear statement about the importance of public transport and active travel in relation to new housing developments. This is illustrated in more detail via the Mainholm case study which states that two additional bus stops will be created to service the new development.

3. State support for creating spaces for interaction that enable community cohesion and support systems which benefit health and wellbeing

The Mainholm case study includes several references to community spaces which support health and wellbeing, eg:

• landscaped suds basin with opportunities for amenity, habitat creation and biodiversity
• landscaped walking and cycle path
• play area located along the path for residents and passing pedestrians
• centrally located residential green and inclusive play area
• additional green spaces which enable the community to meet, socialise and play

The Place and Wellbeing Assessment has therefore helped to shape a long-term, council-wide strategy which will subsequently be turned into action, thereby contributing to sustainable system change. Within the strategy, there is evidence that the Place and Wellbeing Outcomes have helped to connect housing with other aspects of place-making such as public transport, active travel, and community space. Thus, there is both an immediate and longer-term impact already evident from conducting the assessment a few months ago.