Open Space Strategies and Open Space Strategies and LDFsLDFs

Andy McNabAndy McNab

SHELL PODIUM SHELL PODIUM SITE LAMBETHSITE LAMBETH

Prominent location

Fine views

On a main pedestrian route

In an area of identified deficiency

SHELL PODIUM SHELL PODIUM

SITE, LAMBETHSITE, 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 SPACECABE 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 17PPG 17

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

PPG17PPG17KEY CONCERNSKEY 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 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 1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GUIDANCE– 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 1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GUIDANCE– 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 1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GUIDANCE– 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 - 1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE - ISSUESISSUES

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 1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GOOD PRACTICE– GOOD PRACTICE

Sutton Draft Open Space Strategy:

PPG 17 definition Typology based on primary

purpose/accessibility/size

1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE 1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GOOD PRACTICE– GOOD PRACTICE

1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE 1. DEFINING OPEN SPACE – GOOD PRACTICE– GOOD PRACTICE

2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE 2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES - GUIDANCEPOLICIES - 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. 11 - July 2002

2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE 2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES - GUIDANCEPOLICIES - 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. 11 - July 2002

2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE 2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES - GUIDANCEPOLICIES - 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 2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES - ISSUESPOLICIES - ISSUES

Are different levels of protection appropriate for different open spaces?

Should all open space be protected with an exceptions policy?

2.2. DEFINING PROTECTIVE DEFINING PROTECTIVE POLICIES – GOOD POLICIES – GOOD PRACTICEPRACTICE

Southwark Council UDP/SPG

Metropolitan Open Land Borough Open Land Other Open Space

3. DEFINING CRITERIA FOR 3. DEFINING CRITERIA FOR REDEVELOPMENT - REDEVELOPMENT - GUIDANCEGUIDANCE

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 3. DEFINING CRITERIA FOR REDEVELOPMENT – REDEVELOPMENT – ISSUESISSUES

What are the key criteria to be fulfilled in order to allow the release of an open space for development?

4. SETTING LOCAL 4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS - GUIDANCESTANDARDS - 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 4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS - ISSUESSTANDARDS - 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 4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS - GOOD STANDARDS - GOOD PRACTICEPRACTICE

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 4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS – GOOD STANDARDS – GOOD PRACTICEPRACTICE

Local Authority Standard

Fareham 2.4ha/1000 pop.

Sutton 2.88ha/1000 pop.

Tower Hamlets 1.2ha/1000 pop.

4. SETTING LOCAL 4. SETTING LOCAL STANDARDS – GOOD STANDARDS – GOOD PRACTICEPRACTICE

5. USING PLANNING 5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS - GUIDANCEOBLIGATIONS - 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. 33 - July 2002

5. USING PLANNING 5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS - ISSUESOBLIGATIONS - 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 5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – GOOD OBLIGATIONS – GOOD PRACTICEPRACTICE

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 5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – GOOD OBLIGATIONS – GOOD PRACTICEPRACTICE

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 5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – GOOD OBLIGATIONS – GOOD PRACTICEPRACTICE

Sutton Council: Provision 18.3m2 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 maintainConsultation Draft Planning Obligations – SPD - 2006

5. USING PLANNING 5. USING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – GOOD OBLIGATIONS – GOOD PRACTICEPRACTICE

Fareham Council: Only applicable where development will

exacerbate or create a deficit in provision

Three bed house Cost per unit : £2351.88 Maintenance contribution : £1464.20

Supplementary Planning Guidance – Open Space – Revised April 2006

6. INTEGRATING SEA/SA - 6. INTEGRATING SEA/SA - ISSUESISSUES

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 CAUTIONARY CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Lichfield Core Strategy:

No PPG 17 assessment (evidence base insufficient)

Amended policy not subject to consultation or sustainability appraisal

Policy and strategy withdrawn