Agenda item

The Principal Planning Policy Officer presented the Open Space Assessment and stated that it will update the existing 2017 study. It provides robust, updated evidence, which will support the new Local Plan and inform development management decisions.

The Panel was advised that national planning policy requires that local plans are underpinned by robust up to date assessments of open space, sport and recreation. Public open space provides a range of social, environmental and community benefits. It is important for the council to know what provision currently exists and also to ascertain future demand.

The Panel was advised that population growth and changes to open space provision had taken place since the last assessment. Recent housing developments have delivered new open spaces and the assessment, undertaken by the consultant Knight, Kavanagh and Page, has provided a comprehensive audit of over 570 publicly accessible open spaces across East Herts. The audit has evaluated quantity, quality and accessibility across 6 open space typologies supported by site visits, stakeholder and consultation with town and parish councils.

The Panel was advised that the findings showed that there are approximately 1680 hectares of public open space in East Herts and, whilst some gaps exist, overall provision is of good quality and widely accessible. It is important to recognise that open spaces are often multi-functional, and the study has identified where gaps in provision maybe served by other forms of open spaces.

The Panel noticed how under provisioned Ware is compared to the other four main towns. A question was asked about the inclusion of the community garden in Bengeo and the community garden areas in Pinehurst. A question was also asked about whether this was a live document in terms of updating it as more public open spaces came in.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer explained that the threshold for inclusion was 0.2 hectares, and the community gardens are recognised as an important and valuable area. The Panel was advised that whilst the document will not be amended continuously, the planning policy team will monitor and collate changes to open space as the new Local Plan progresses, so that understanding of open space remains up to date.

The Panel asked if the location of Castle Garden and Castle Park is in Hertford or Bishop’s Stortford. The Principal Planning Policy Officer clarified the location of these green spaces. The Chair explained that a reference to a parish council should have read Bengeo Rural Parish Council. The officer confirmed that this error would be changed before the document was finalised.

The Panel commented on the management of Rye Meads Nature Reserve passing over to Thames Water from the RSPB. The Principal Planning Policy Officer responded to a query regarding Datchworth Green and the recreation ground in Brookbridge Lane which comprised allotments, a football pitch, play equipment and equipment for table tennis for all ages, confirming they are included in the assessment.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer responded to a question regarding privately owned parcels of land that were included in the local nature recovery strategy. She said that to be included in the assessment, the open space does not need to be publicly owned but needs to be publicly accessible. If any parcels of land were not publicly assessable and had been included incorrectly then officers could look into that.

Councillor Crystall proposed, and Councillor Dumont seconded a motion that the Executive be advised that the Open Space Assessment, attached as Appendix A, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - that the Executive be advised that the Open Space Assessment, attached as Appendix A, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications.