The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy requires development to protect existing public open space and provide new space for growing communities. Existing open spaces can only be lost if they are shown to be surplus or replaced with equivalent or better provision. Major developments must provide 5.67 hectares of accessible greenspace per 1,000 people, made up of parks and gardens (1.4ha), recreation grounds (0.5ha), natural and semi-natural greenspace (3.17ha) and amenity greenspace (0.6ha). Smaller schemes contribute pro rata, and all open space must remain publicly accessible permanently.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
What the plan says
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
Policy ID.14
Open Space, Play, Recreation and Community Growing Spaces
Public open space is a strategic asset that supports health and wellbeing,
biodiversity, climate resilience, social cohesion and sustainable travel. Development
proposals will be expected to protect, enhance, and deliver a high-quality accessible
and multifunctional network of public open spaces that meets the needs of existing
and future communities. All open space provided must be public open space,
permanently accessible and protected for public use in perpetuity.
A. Protection of Existing Open Spaces
Existing open spaces will be safeguarded from loss, fragmentation, encroachment or
deterioration. Development resulting in the loss, reduction or adverse impact on open
space will only be supported where:
a. The open space is demonstrated to be surplus to current and future
requirements, based on the most up-to-date evidence available at the time of
determination and supported by the relevant Town or Parish Council; or
b. Equivalent or better replacement is secured prior to the loss, in a suitable and
accessible location and is at least equivalent in terms of quantity, quality,
accessibility usefulness and attractiveness, and is supported by a
management plan to ensure long term viability.
B. New Provision
Major development must provide open space in line with the recommended
standards as set out below.
For minor development and for proposals where major development incurs a
population increase of less than 1,000 people, provision of open space should be
calculated on a pro-rata basis. On site provision of open space should be provided in
the first instance, and be proportionate to the scale, nature and population yield of
the development.
Typology Standard: Hectares (Ha) per 1,000
population
Parks and Gardens 1.4 (24.5%)
Recreation Grounds 0.5 (9%)
Natural and Semi Natural
Greenspace 3.17 (56%)
Amenity Greenspace 0.6 (10.5%)
Accessible Greenspace Total=
5.67ha