Parks and Open Spaces

6.11 Open spaces near residential areas can add significantly to quality of life. They not only help people to take part in outdoor pursuits, they also contribute to the quality of the environment. More formal parks can also serve a much wider catchment area and, as in the case of the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, also serve as a major tourist attraction.

6.12 The National Playing Field Association (NPFA) suggests an overall standard of 2.43 hectares of outdoor playing space per 1,000 population. This standard is intended as a general guide and needs to be modified to take account of local demand and range of facilities available.

6.13 St Edmundsbury will be carrying out a detailed assessment of playing field needs in the borough, the results of which will be included in the Open Space Strategy. Minimum standards of open space provision are set out in Appendix E and Planning Guidance. This will be reviewed once the assessment of playing field need has been completed and a Supplementary Planning Document will be produced.

6.14 Within new residential development in the main towns and villages, developers will be expected to provide appropriate public open space as formal recreation areas, informal open space and play areas. New public open space is proposed at Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, and various locations in Haverhill. There are also a number of settlements that do not have enough playing fields. The Borough Council will encourage new facilities where there are no overriding detrimental effects on agricultural land, residential amenity and conservation interests.

6.15 Casual play areas in residential neighbourhoods are an essential part of the amenity of an area. Adequate play space will be needed in new residential areas and the Borough Council will refer to Appendix E and Planning Guidance which includes standards for the size of play area to be provided. Great care will be necessary in the location of the play areas in order to cut disturbance to nearby residents.

6.16 In office, retail and other commercial and mixed development schemes there may also be the opportunity for creating new public open space or providing particular sports and recreation facilities. When applying the approved standards of open space provision to residential and commercial development, the Borough Council will consider the nature of the demand generated and the level of existing open space and recreation provision.

6.17 The borough’s countryside provides a rich resource and considerable potential for recreational uses. Public interest in the countryside in general and nature conservation in particular continues to grow. Although recreation in the countryside is primarily limited to a network of footpaths and bridleways, there is growing pressure for new and improved facilities such as car parks, picnic sites and overnight accommodation. The demand for more organised sports provision is also growing. These pressures must be balanced against the need to protect the character and appearance of the countryside and prevent inappropriate development from damaging those qualities which attract people in the first place.

POLICY L4: STANDARDS OF OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PROVISION

Developers of new housing areas will be required to provide open space including play areas, formal recreation areas and amenity areas and where appropriate, indoor sports facilities in accordance with the local planning authority’s approved standards of provision.

Where appropriate, the local planning authority will seek the provision of recreational open space and sports and recreation facilities as part of office, retail and other commercial and mixed development schemes.

In addition to policies and proposals elsewhere in this Plan, proposals for the provision of new playing fields and sports facilities should be accompanied by a demonstration of need.

In appropriate circumstances, the local planning authority will permit the provision of indoor recreation facilities as an alternative to outdoor open space provision.

Note: Standards for open space provision are incorporated within Appendix E and Planning Guidance and any subsequent replacement Supplementary Planning Document.

6.18 Keeping and enhancing existing facilities for sport and recreation is important for the borough and the Borough Council will seek to safeguard this provision. School playing fields are an especially important amenity and are protected by the minimum statutory requirements for school playing field areas set by the Government. The Borough Council will take into account government advice and directives concerning the referral of applications for development that would mean losing open space or playing fields.

6.19 Parks, including country parks also play an important role in providing a mix of open space, both through organised and informal sport and leisure.

POLICY L5: SAFEGUARDING PARKS AND OPEN SPACES

The local planning authority will seek to safeguard existing parks, amenity areas and recreational open space. Development on public, private and school playing fields will not be permitted unless:

• i) the development is for buildings and/or facilities ancillary to, or enhancing, the amenity or recreational value of the open space; or
  ii) any playing field(s) which would be lost as a result of the proposed development would be replaced by a playing field(s) of an equivalent or better quality and equivalent or greater quantity, in a suitable location and subject to equivalent or better management arrangements, prior to the commencement of the development ; or
  iii) there is clear evidence through a quantified and documented assessment that now, and in the future, the land will no longer be needed for its current purpose or has no special significance to the interest of sport, other recreational uses or the local community ; or
  iv) the proposed facility is for an indoor or outdoor sports facility, the provision of which would be of significant benefit to the development of sport as to outweigh the detriment caused by the loss of the playing field(s).

Parks, Important Amenity Open Space and Important Areas of Recreational Open Space are identified on the Proposals Map.

6.20 Allotments: Allotments provide a popular form of recreational pursuit, a source of healthy food and exercise. If there is a demand for them and they are well maintained, they provide an environmental resource in towns.

POLICY L6: ALLOTMENTS

The local planning authority will seek to ensure that an adequate supply of allotments is maintained. Proposals which will result in the loss of allotments will be approved only where:

• i) an assessment of the long term need for the site has been carried out; and, if necessary
  ii) alternative provision of a similar standard is available within the area; or
  iii) alternative provision of a similar or improved standard can be made available in a location accessible to existing users.

Note: Standards for allotments are incorporated within Appendix E and Planning Guidance and any subsequent replacement Supplementary Planning Document. The designation of unused allotments as Important Open Areas may be covered in further guidance. The local planning authority will secure the alternative provision of allotments through the use of conditions and/or planning obligations.