Accessibility, Quality and Value of Open Space, Play, Recreation and Community

Policy ID.15 Accessibility, Quality and Value of Open Space, Play, Recreation and Community Growing Spaces Development proposals for both resident and employment use, should meet the following accessibility standards: A. Accessibility All residences within major development must have access to: • Neighbourhood accessible greenspace; and • A local or doorstep accessible greenspace This must be provided through on-site provision of accessible greenspace. Catchment requirements are outlined below: Hierarchy Minimum Size (hectares) Access catchment (metres) District 100 5,000 Wider neighbourhood 20 2,000 Neighbourhood 10 1,000 Local 2 300 Doorstep 0.2 200 To maximise access to appropriate types of accessible greenspace, the scale and type of on-site provision, and any required contribution to off-site provision, will be determined in agreement with the Local Planning Authority, having regard to: a. existing local provision and identified gaps in accessible greenspace, assessed against Natural England’s Accessible Greenspace Standards (size and proximity criteria); b. the need for all new residences to have access to: • Neighbourhood accessible greenspace; and • A local or doorstep accessible greenspace c. site-specific constraints and opportunities, including the size, density and character of the proposed development. B. Catchments Provision for children and teenagers should be sited within the proposed site so the whole site is within access to at least one type of provision for children and teenagers. The access catchments for children and teenagers should be based on the play assessments and the identified levels of existing local provision. Access catchments for play paces are shown below. The whole development should have access to at least one type of provision for children and teenagers Hierarchy Buffer (metres) Local Area of Play (LAP) 100 Local Equipped Area of Play (LEAP) 400 Neighbourhood Equipped Area of Play (NEAP) 1,000 Youth and Teen Provision (BMX and MUGA’s) 700 Community Growing Spaces (including allotments) should be within 1km of new development. Where existing provision does not facilitate this, or would introduce a shortfall of provision, new community spaces should be provided as a result of development as per the earlier parts of this policy. Greenspaces with access catchments of 1km or more should provide cycle parking and disabled car parking. Policy ID.15 ~ Development Management Considerations Open spaces should be designed and built in accordance with the following principles: Accessible Greenspace o Greenspaces should follow the guidance set out in the Green Flag criteria, Fields in Trust Guidance and where relevant Natural England’s Country Park Accreditation criteria. o Greenspaces should maximise environmental and ecological benefits and contribute to the Green and Blue Infrastructure Network and adhere to other relevant policies within this plan. Provision for children and teenagers o Provision for children and teenagers should be designed with consideration of the guidance set out in Play England’s Design for Play Guide and the Fields in Trust Guidance, as well as in consultation with play experts and landscape architects o Play spaces should include a variety of spaces to suit all needs, including sensory play and equipment designed for those with disabilities. o Teenage provision should consider alternatives to traditional sport- based facilities. Guidance from Making Space for Girls should be incorporated in the planning, design and implementation of teenage provision. o Playable landscapes and nature-based play are encouraged and should be incorporated within both open spaces and street layouts and where appropriate SuDS. Provision of Community Growing Spaces o Community growing spaces and allotments should be high quality, offering sustainable growing spaces and supporting biodiversity making use of the National Allotment Society Guidance. o Management arrangements for the ongoing maintenance and approp