Guidance
Note 10
Open Space
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INTRODUCTION
1. This
Guidance Note outlines the Council’s approach to the provision of open space
and play areas, providing developers with the necessary guidance to ensure good
quality residential environments throughout
LEVEL OF PROVISION AND FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
2. The
requirements for open space in new developments are as specified and justified
in the Local Plan Policy OS 3.
3. To
assist in the interpretation of the requirements of policy, the following Table
outlines the level of open space and recreational land provision, and/or
financial contributions which the Council will expect of housing developers.
Developments where appropriate will be expected to make contribution to each of
playspaces, local parks and neighbourhood parks.
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Type of
provision |
Size of
development. |
Distance
from facility |
Requirement |
|
Play space (including children’s play equipment) $ |
Developments of 5 + house units. * |
Less than 400m from an existing playspace |
Financial Contribution at approved Council rate (£650 per house #) |
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More than 400m from an existing playspace |
Construct a play space |
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Developments of 5 to 24 house units. * |
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Financial Contribution at approved Council rate (£130 per house #) |
|
Developments of 25 + houses or more. |
Less than 400m from an existing Local or |
Financial Contribution at approved Council rate (£130 per house #) |
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More than 400m from an existing Local or |
Construct a |
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All new housing development. |
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Financial Contribution at approved Council rate (£230 per house #) |
Notes
$ Not required for sheltered/special needs housing
* Financial requirements will be individually negotiable for
developments of less than 5 house units.
0.2-0.3 Hectares per 1000 population i.e. 10
houses = 100 sq.m approx.
25
houses = 250 sq.m. approx.
50
houses = 500 sq.m approx.
1.5-1.8 Hectares per 1000 population i.e. 25
houses = 1700 sq.m. approx.
50
houses = 3400 sq.m approx.
Note
The sizes per 1000 population are based on the former NPFA
standards until further research demonstrates a different requirement. The
examples are based on the assumption that the number of people per house = Number
of bedrooms per house + 1. So for a one bedroom house there will be two
occupants; for a two bedroom house three occupants; for a three bedroom house
four occupants etc...
GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR REQUIREMENTS OF OPEN SPACE AND
RECREATIONAL LAND
4. In
any development of open space, developers should ensure that they have taken
account the following considerations:
a) Objectives -
Developers should have clear purposes for their open space provision, setting
out their long term design and management objectives.
b) Design and Layout - The
developer should ensure that any open space provided is of high quality,
designed in accordance with its set purposes showing richness, character,
diversity, allowing for future flexibility and taking into consideration the local
characteristics and topography of the area. Suitable drainage of the ground
must be provided, and this should include consideration of Sustainable Urban
Drainage Systems. Where amenity open space is being provided the Council will
encourage large open spaces with low maintenance costs rather than creating a
myriad of open spaces which leads to high maintenance costs.
c) Landscaping, Tree Planting,
Shrub Planting and Grass Seeding - The developer will also submit plans
showing landscaping details of planting. Planting should be both robust and
allow for future flexibility. The landscaping plans will include proposed types
of grass seeding to be used, plant types, size and spacing as well as showing
the provision of trees and shrubs. Where possible, seeds should be of native
species and local stock (provenance).
d) Maintenance and secure long
term funding - The developer should provide a schedule outlining the
long term maintenance and funding for their open space provision covering all
areas of hard and soft landscaping.
e) Safety - Where
appropriate developers will be asked to provide assurances to protect the
safety of potential users. These provisions may include:
i)
providing lit footpaths to and through open spaces
ii) ensuring
that shrub planting will not compromise the safety of pedestrian routes
iii) encouraging
natural surveillance
f) Access & Networking - Open
spaces should be located to provide no barriers to access & should where
possible be linked to footpaths and other open spaces within the area, with the
overall objective to provide a network of open spaces throughout
g) Time-scales - The
developer should set out an appropriate time scale to fulfil their open space
requirements
h) Management Plan - Developers
will be required to submit (accompanying the planning application) a Management
Plan for Open Space covering the above general requirements, submitting
detailed information and any relevant plans for each area. This will ensure
that open space is regarded as a long term project requiring continuous funding
and maintenance in the future, rather than an ‘addition’ to the planning
process which could, after initial agreement and primary investment be cast
aside and neglected. The management plan may be tied in by an agreement in
terms of Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (
i) Dog Exercise Areas - In
addition for residential developments above 25 houses, the Council will require
developers to provide at their own expense a “Dog Exercise Area.” This area
will be set apart from other areas of open space.
j) Fencing - Play
areas should be fenced in the following situations:
i)
To exclude dogs from play areas for pre-school
children and from all play areas which have sand or water play features
ii) to contain
young children
iii) To protect
children where a play area is sited close to a busy road, river, or other
potential hazard
k) Accessibility to Play
Facilities - All formal and informal play spaces which are adjacent to
new developments must be safely accessible on foot and cycle to the majority of
potential users, in particular play spaces for younger children should be
provided so that they do not have to cross busy roads to reach them. Roads must
also be designed to ensure that safe pedestrian movements can take place
between housing and play areas.
l) Signage - On
completion, every play area should have a clear sign stating the name of the
play area, who is responsible for it, and a contact telephone number to call if
the equipment is damaged, general maintenance needs attention or an accident
occurs.
5. Should you require any further
information please do not hesitate to contact :
The
Planning Office,
Development
Quality Section,
The
Triangle,
Bishopbriggs
G64 2TR
Tel: 0141
578 8000