THE Improvement Service (IS) has launched open access to the Spatial Hub, a local government data resource covering Scotland and containing information valuable to the construction industry.
The Spatial Hub collects data from local authorities and other partner organisations, which is then compiled and published in Scotland-wide datasets.
Until now, Spatial Hub datasets were only available to local government, public sector organisations and academics, but new funding from the Scottish Government has allowed the Improvement Service to make this information available to everyone.
The data can show sites and areas designated for future construction, as well as where developments have already been built. It also provides information about sites that constrain construction and development, such as local protection designations, enabling companies to assess where to invest their efforts.
Ron Wilkinson, spatial information services programme manager at the Improvement Service, explained, “This is the first time in the UK that such a significant resource is being made available as open data; open for anyone to access, use and share as they see fit. The availability of these Spatial Hub datasets will save organisations time and money, as they will no longer need to source this data from individual local authorities, while also helping to standardise and maintain the quality of the data used across a wide variety of sectors.
“Spatial Hub datasets cover everything from environment and pollution, energy, and health and care services to community and society, planning, and roads and transport plus many more, and will be enormously valuable to those involved in the construction industry.”
The Improvement Service works closely with Ordnance Survey, who have helped in the development of the Spatial Hub over the last seven years.
Dominic Cuthbert, OS strategic development manager, added, “OS has been a key partner of the Improvement Service for over 15 years. We have provided specialist knowledge and insight to support IS create and release accurate datasets that are critical for validation and quality assurance across the various functions of government.
“We are excited to support the launch of this local government open data initiative that will not only enable access to a single source of geospatial datasets but improve efficiencies for customers and support critical developments across the planning and environmental communities.”
