23 Open Space
Introduction
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Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 "Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation", states that well designed and implemented planning policies for open space, sport and recreation are fundamental to delivering broader government objectives, particularly improving urban and rural environments, promoting sustainable transport and improving health. Emphasis is placed on basing open space provision on local standards and needs; backed up with an appropriate evidence base including local assessments.
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The Regional Spatial Strategy states that open space policy should seek to conserve and enhance existing open spaces and improve accessibility. Protecting open spaces including play spaces, sports pitches, footpaths, cycleways, rivers and parks is stated as a means to enhance urban greenspace networks. It also advocates the development of appropriate greenspace strategies, informed by local needs assessments, to ensure adequate provision of accessible, high quality urban greenspace.
Supporting Evidence
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All three authorities in South Worcestershire have completed detailed Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 audits and assessments. The assessments have resulted in different local provision standards between the three authorities, reflecting needs of their respective communities.
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An alignment study of the compatibility of the audits and assessments concludes that they are generally consistent with Planning Policy Guidance Note 17. The assessments will inform the preparation of local open space provision standards for each authority.
Consultation Responses
In response to the Issues and Options consultation there was strong support that contributions should be sought from developers for play, sport and recreation facilities, both indoor and outdoor, from all housing and commercial development (Issue 29, Options 5). There was strong support to develop standards of provision based on local circumstances and needs (Options 3), although there was less support for the development of a single standard of provision throughout South Worcestershire (Option 2). The protection of all areas of public green space, and other important private green spaces was strongly supported (Option 4).
The Preferred Spatial Option
The Preferred Option will seek to continue the provision of linked open spaces, protect and enhance existing areas and improve developer contributions. Future provision of open space will be based on local needs and could look to enhance existing distinctive areas of open space.
Supplementary Planning Documents will set local standards of provision based on an up to date PPG17 local needs assessments.
Proposed Policy CS22: Open Space
Open spaces in South Worcestershire contribute to its local distinctiveness and help create a strong identity for the communities and settlements. Open spaces will be improved through the protection and enhancement of existing areas and the development of new high quality, varied and well connected provision.
Existing open spaces should not be built on unless an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown it to be surplus to requirements, after consideration of all the alternative functions that open space can perform has been exhausted, including its role as part of the green infrastructure network. Development may provide the opportunity to exchange the use of one site for another to substitute for any loss of open space provision.
New development will contribute to open space provision in accordance with local provision standards adopted by the three South Worcestershire Local Authorities, either by providing high quality, varied and accessible open space on site or through off site developer contributions to enhance existing provision in the locality. In accordance with National guidance, planning obligations and conditions will be used to ensure provision is adequate and that new facilities are capable of being maintained through management and maintenance agreements.
Open Spaces will be well connected particularly through sustainable means (such as cycling and walking) as this can help encourage healthy active lifestyles, a stronger community and an important public amenity that is accessible for all. However existing open spaces that provide a visual amenity not accessible to the public are also considered valuable.
Linkage to Spatial Objectives
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The Preferred Spatial Option supports or delivers the following Spatial Objectives derived from the Sustainable Community Strategies:
- Stronger Communities objective 2;
- Meeting the Needs of All Generations objectives 5 and 6;
- A Better Environment for Today and Tomorrow objectives 13 and 17; and
- Improving Health and Wellbeing objective 18.
Comments on the Alternative Options Considered
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Produce a universal standard of open space for the whole of South Worcestershire. Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 states that provision should be set at a local level and standards based on local evidence.