Open Space Strategies and LDFs Andy McNab

SHELL PODIUM SITE LAMBETH   Prominent location   Fine views   On a main pedestrian route   In an area of identified deficiency

SHELL PODIUM SITE, LAMBETH   Not shown as open space in the UDP   Measures in place to address deficiency   Private ownership, access could be limited   Low quality   Few facilities

CABE SPACE “Policies related to development planning should be incorporated into statutory development plan documents and the strategy adopted as supplementary planning guidance.” Greenspace Strategies – A Good Practice Guide – CABE SPACE – May 2004

PPG 17 “Well-designed and implemented planning policies for open space, sport and recreation are therefore fundamental to delivering broader Government objectives.”

PPG17 KEY CONCERNS  Most authorities will require policies on:  Protection and enhancement Re-location Redevelopment New provision to fill gaps New provision to meet the demands of new development and  Local standards of provision

ISSUES 1.Defining open space 2.Developing protective policies 3.Defining criteria for redevelopment 4.Setting local standards 5.Using planning obligations 6.Integrating SEA/SA

1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GUIDANCE Statutory Definition  “….land laid out as a public garden, or used for the purposes of public recreation, or land which is a disused burial ground. Town and Country Planning Act 1990

1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GUIDANCE PPG 17  “….all open space of public value ….which offer important opportunities for sport and recreation and can also act as a visual amenity.” PPG 17 –Annex 1- July 2002

1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GUIDANCE PPG 17 Typology Parks and gardens Natural and semi-natural urban greenspaces Green corridors Outdoor sports facilities Amenity greenspace Provision for children and teenagers Allotments, gardens and city farms Cemeteries and churchyards Accessible countryside in urban fringe areas Civic spaces

1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE - ISSUES How should LDF define open space? Should LDF identify and enumerate all open spaces? Should LDF identify ownership? Should LDF include a typology?

1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GOOD PRACTICE Sutton Draft Open Space Strategy: PPG 17 definition Typology based on primary purpose/accessibility/size

1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GOOD PRACTICE

2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES - GUIDANCE PPG 17  “Open space and sports and recreational facilities that are of high quality, or of particular value to a local community, should be recognised and given protection by local authorities through appropriate policies in plans.” PPG 17 – Para July 2002

2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES - GUIDANCE PPG 17  “Areas of particular quality may include: i.Small areas of open space in urban areas…. ii.Areas of open space that provide a community resource…. iii.Areas of open space that particularly benefit wildlife and biodiversity.” PPG 17 – Para July 2002

2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES - GUIDANCE PPG 17 Companion Guide :  “…the highest level of protection by the planning system (should be afforded to those which are): i.Critically important in avoiding deficiencies in accessibility, quality or quantity and scored highly in the value assessment; or ii.Of particular nature conservation, historical or cultural value.” Assessing Needs and Opportunities: PPG 17 Companion Guide – Chapter 8 - July 2002

2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES - ISSUES  Are different levels of protection appropriate for different open spaces?  Should all open space be protected with an exceptions policy?

2.DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES – GOOD PRACTICE 2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES – GOOD PRACTICE Southwark Council UDP/SPG  Metropolitan Open Land Borough Open Land Other Open Space

3. DEFINING CRITERIA FOR REDEVELOPMENT - GUIDANCE PPG 17 tests:  Demonstrably surplus to requirements  Developers will need to “consult the public and demonstrate that their proposals are widely supported by them”  Poor quality not necessarily a criterion for redevelopment  Under-use not necessarily a criterion for redevelopment PPG 17 July 2002

3. DEFINING CRITERIA FOR REDEVELOPMENT – ISSUES  What are the key criteria to be fulfilled in order to allow the release of an open space for development?

4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS - GUIDANCE PPG 17  “Local standards should include:  quantitative elements (how much provision may be needed)  a qualitative component (against which to measure the need for enhancement of facilities)  accessibility (including distance thresholds and consideration of the cost of using the facility).” PPG 17 – Para. 7 - July 2002

4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS - ISSUES  Is an overall quantitative standard appropriate or are different quantitative standards needed for different areas?  Should quality standards be included in LDFs?  How should accessibility standards be expressed in LDFs?

4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS - GOOD PRACTICE Tower Hamlets Core Strategy:  “ The Council will seek to protect, increase and improve the provision of all types of open spaces in the Borough, to a standard of 1.2 hectares per 1000 population, and improve accessibility to, between and within open spaces.”

4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS – GOOD PRACTICE Local AuthorityStandard Fareham2.4ha/1000 pop. Sutton2.88ha/1000 pop. Tower Hamlets1.2ha/1000 pop.

4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS – GOOD PRACTICE

5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS - GUIDANCE PPG 17:  “Planning obligations should be used as a means to remedy local deficiencies in the quantity or quality of open space, sports and recreation provision.” PPG 17 – Para July 2002

5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS - ISSUES  In what circumstances should provision or a contribution be sought?  What should be the level of contribution?  How should future management be assured?

5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – GOOD PRACTICE Sutton Council:  “Developments of 10 or more residential units in areas of open space deficiency will be required to provide open space on site, or contribute towards the provision or enhancement of open space off site.”

5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – GOOD PRACTICE Sutton Council:  “Developments of 25 or more residential units in areas where there is no identified deficiency of open space, will be required to make a contribution towards the enhancement of public open space off site ate a rate of 50% of the full cost of provision/enhancement.”

5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – GOOD PRACTICE Sutton Council:  Provision 18.3m 2 per person (derived from 1.83 ha per 1000 population)  Cost of providing open space £10 per square metre (derived from Sport England/Milton Keynes/English Partnerships pilot project 2004)  Three bed house (average occupancy 2.8) Cost per unit £500  Council will not normally adopt and maintain Consultation Draft Planning Obligations – SPD

5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – GOOD PRACTICE Fareham Council:  Only applicable where development will exacerbate or create a deficit in provision  Three bed house  Cost per unit : £  Maintenance contribution : £ Supplementary Planning Guidance – Open Space – Revised April 2006

6. INTEGRATING SEA/SA - ISSUES  SEA/SA is normally necessary for SPDs  SEA/SA requires consideration of alternatives  Therefore should SEA/SA be integrated into Open Space Strategy preparation?

CAUTIONARY CONCLUSION Lichfield Core Strategy:  No PPG 17 assessment (evidence base insufficient)  Amended policy not subject to consultation or sustainability appraisal  Policy and strategy withdrawn