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Chapter 8: Open Space

INTRODUCTION

8.1 - Increasing emphasis is now being placed on the contribution to the character of the environment and quality of life made by open space. To be of importance, an area of open space need not have a formal use or be accessible to the general public, as long as it contributes to the character and appearance of its locality.

8.2 - The purpose of this chapter is to set out planning policies and proposals which seek to achieve the aims set out in Chapter 2, namely : ''To protect and enhance the contribution made by open spaces to the character and amenity of settlements'' and ''To promote the provision of sufficient land for formal and informal recreation for all sections of the community''

8.3 - This chapter is also concerned with the assessment, provision and maintenance of open space as defined below :

Amenity Open Space , i.e. open space which is of value in terms of its contribution to the character and appearance of its locality whether or not it is accessible to the general public.

Adult and Youth Facilities , i.e. facilities such as sports pitches, greens, athletics tracks and training areas which are available for public use. Also facilities provided by voluntary, private, industrial and commercial sectors for their members or the public.

Children's Informal Open Space , i.e. open areas located in suitable locations so as to provide safe areas in which children can play.

Children's Formal (equipped) Open Space , i.e. Equipped playgrounds, including adventure playgrounds, in suitable locations for children's play and recreation.

Community Open Space i.e. Small areas within settlements such as village greens which are of value to the community on a very local level.

THE LOCAL PLAN APPROACH

8.4 - The Local Plan seeks to ensure that a reasonable balance is reached between the need to make adequate provision for development and the need to protect open space from development. The Local Plan also takes into account guidance provided by PPG17, including the assessment of local need and the identification of deficiencies in current provision.

8.5 - In addition, policies are also included to encourage the development of suitable sites for additional sport, recreational and open space provision and to ensure that it is coordinated with other forms of development and land-use policies.

8.6 - The Local Plan will seek to ensure that new and/or enhanced facilities will be provided for in the following ways:

a. By requiring developers to provide facilities on site, and to the required standards;

b. By requiring developers to contribute to either new provision off-site or the enhancement of existing facilities;

c. Through the Borough Council's own development proposals and land allocations.

8.7 - Whilst the Local Plan seeks to work towards improving on current shortfalls, it is seen as unrealistic to include rigid targets. The priority must therefore be to ensure that existing provision is protected and that the level and standards of provision does not worsen.

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE

8.8 - PPG 17 (Sport and Recreation) states that Local Plans should generally include policies on :

a. The specific needs for both mainstream and specialist facilities (indoor and outdoor) including, where appropriate, large sites. This Local Plan allocates playing fields for mainstream facilities in policy OS 4. Indoor facilities are currently provided for by Oswestry Leisure Centre and at Rhyn Park School, St. Martins. It is expected that these facilities will remain as locations for indoor sports provision within the Borough and proposals for their improvement will be considered sympathetically. The PPG pays particular attention to proposals for new golf courses as covered by policy OS 12.

b. The recreational needs of persons with disabilities. Policy CD 8 in the Community Development Chapter ensures that public facilities are accessible to all members of the community

c. The protection of public and private open space and other land of recreational, conservation, wildlife, historical or amenity value. These are covered by policies in the Natural Environment chapter and policies OS 2 and 3 in this chapter

d. The availability of public rights of way which are covered by Structure Plan policies 2/76 and 2/77 and which are fully supported by the Borough Council

e. Playing fields as covered by policies OS 3, 4, 5, 7 and policies in the Community Development Chapter of this Local Plan.

f. Specific policies on public access to open space which has recreational value. This Local Plan includes policies aimed at creating an integrated Urban Green Network (policy OS9) including an amenity zone alongside the Oswestry by-pass (OS 8).

ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT OPEN SPACE PROVISION

• 8.9 - The Local Plan has the role of evaluating current provision and identifying any existing deficiencies. In order for such an assessment to be carried out effectively, existing provision should be compared with a recognised National standard. The Borough Council has adopted the National Playing Fields Association's 'Six Acre Standard' as a yardstick by which to judge the adequacy of present provision.

ADULT/YOUTH PROVISION

8.10 - For adult & youth provision, the Borough Council's assessment has shown that the rural area of the Borough is provided for to a standard approximating to those promoted by the NPFA.

8.11 - However, the urban area was found to have a shortfall of approximately 13 hectares when judged against the same criteria.

8.12 - As a consequence, the Borough Council's broad approach towards adult/youth provision in this Local Plan is to improve the level and quality of provision in the urban area and to ensure that the standard of provision in the rural area is maintained. Special measures are introduced in the case of St. Martins in order to secure and extend existing playing field provision.

CHILDREN'S PLAY SPACE PROVISION

8.13 - A shortfall of provision in the Borough has been identified and therefore the Council will, through this Local Plan, seek to maintain and where possible increase the level of provision of children's play facilities.

8.14 - Whilst it is intended that the majority of new facilities will be provided for by developers of residential units suited to family occupation, the Borough Council will also provide for new sites at Holbache Road and Flash Field on Unicorn Road as detailed in policy OS 4.

OPEN SPACE POLICIES & PROPOSALS:

Please use the left hand side menu to navigate to these pages.

• Policy OS1: Shelf Bank Oswestry
• Policy OS2: Protection of Open Spaces
• Policy OS3: Existing Playing Fields
• Policy OS4: New Playing Field Provision Oswestry Town
• Policy OS5: Adult and Youth Provision
• Policy OS6: New Development - Amenity & Children's Playspace
• Policy OS7: New Playing Fields: St. Martins & Ruyton-XI-Towns
• Policy OS8: By-Pass Amenity Zone
• Policy OS9: The Urban Green Network
• Policy OS10: Sport and Noise
• Policy OS11: Air Activities
• Policy OS12: Golf Course, Henlle Park
• Environmental Appraisal