Management Rules for Parks, Beaches, and Greenspace

Overview

Every ten years, the City of Edinburgh Council (the Council) looks at its management rules. The rules apply to land provided, owned, leased, occupied, or managed by the Council.

The Council plans to bring in a revised set of Management Rules for Public Parks, Beaches, and Green space. These rules are made under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. The Culture and Communities Committee met on 22 April 2022. The Committee support discussing changes with the public. They also seek additional suggestions for new rules. Since then, further work has been carried out. A revised draft set of management rules have been developed.

There are laws to support your enjoyment of the outdoors. These are the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC). Management Rules are important guidelines. They set out how people should behave in parks and other public spaces. Having rules means that the Council does not need to ask the Scottish Ministers for permission to make sure everyone uses our spaces properly and safely. The management rules shall apply to the city's public parks, beaches, and green spaces. This will include the Pentland Hills Regional Park. This is in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The draft management rules are being consulted on. A final version will be submitted to Culture and Communities Committee for consideration. The Committee will be asked to agree to adopt the new management rules for the next 10 years.

Why your views matter

Your views will help shape the management rules that will apply to people using parks, beaches, and green spaces across the city. Your comments may also identify areas where the Council needs to develop new or adapt existing policies.

What happens next

All comments will be collated and information reviewed. This may result in changes to the draft management rules or new rules may be developed. Any changes to the draft management rules will be reviewed by the Council's solicitor. Following the review, a report will go to Culture and Communities Committee for approval. Once approved, the management rules will be subject to publication via Public Notice before being implemented. Signs and other information on display in parks, beaches, and green spaces will be updated to reflect the new management rules.