Fields in Trust Guidance on open space provision by local authority area – Beyond the Six Acre Standard.

Introduction to the guidance

Fields In Trust, an organisation which campaigns for access to free, local outdoor space for sport, play and recreation, has created an advisory paper for people wanting to create growing spaces. The new guidelines are very similar in England and Wales and provide advice to all local authorities on the amounts of different types of green space that should be provided.

It is a useful resource for projects/groups negotiating with local authorities for new spaces – including community growing. The information is published here courtesy of Fields In Trust.

The guidance relates mainly to new residential and mixed use developments but – because it sets out recommended bench marks - it could be used to persuade local authorities on the need for informal outdoor space.

The guidance was launched at an event with CLAS Cymru in January 2017, which highlighted that there is now a big opportunity for managing green spaces in different ways. At the event there was a recognition that green space plays a huge part in shaping peoples’ lives. Cabinet Secretary, Lesley Griffiths AM, in launching the guidance, also recognised the role of green spaces in building self-esteem, reducing loneliness, encouraging physical activity and social interaction and in reducing inequalities in health.

Policy context

The six-acre standard for play and recreation space has been around since the 1930s but has been updated in various guises since then. The policy context since 2008 (previous Fields in Trust Guidelines) has changed significantly (see below) and it was felt timely to update this guidance accordingly:

  • 9th Edition of Planning Policy Wales – Nov 2016
  • Technical Advice Note 16 – Sport Recreation and Open Space 2009
  • Well Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
  • The Planning (Wales) Act 2016
  • Environment (Wales) Act 2016
  • The Wales Spatial Plan is currently being updated by Welsh Government

What is new?

There is now a widely accepted standard for informal outdoor spaces. Previously, local authorities only accepted the standards for formal outdoor space which includes playing pitches, all outdoor sport, equipped play areas etc.

Informal outdoor spacesare parks, amenity green space and natural and semi -natural open space. Community growing spaces and allotments come under Amenity Green Space.

Standard for Amenity Green Space - 0.6 hectares of Amenity Green Space per 1000 population and that these spaces need to be a minimum of 480metres walking distance from dwellings.

All informal outdoor spaces need to:

-Be of green flag standard

-Be appropriated landscaped

-Have positive management

-Have the provision of footpaths

-Be designed to be free of the fear of harm or crime

Implementation

Local Authorities set their own benchmarks for each type of open space, but many use the FIT standards and are encouraged by Welsh Government to do so. The FIT Guidance is therefore a starting point for determining locally derived open space standards based on need, accessibility and quality. Quantity guidelines will need to be adjusted to take account of local circumstances and current levels of provision. Furthermore, if there are already facilities that encourage a high intensity of use such as 3 G pitches and floodlighting then standards could be relaxed.

Open spaces should be accessible from bus stops, pedestrian and cycle routes to promote sustainable travel.

A survey of 48% of Welsh Local Planning Authorities found that the median level of provision soughtfor allotments, community gardens and urban farms was 0.3 hectares per 1000 population. As a comparison for parks it was 0.8 hectares per 1000 population and for natural and semi natural green space the local standard provision sought was 1.78 hectares per 1000 population.

Why is it relevant to community growing projects?

It is probably most relevant where community growers are trying to get permission (from estates or planning) for a new project or even an essential structure on a project.

The project should ask their local planning authority what their level of Amenity Open Space Provision is (or if they don’t have those stats – what their informal open space provision is). If there is a shortfall in their local area they have a good argument for that their project should be given permission.

Fields in Trust can help with guidance, the benchmarks and ways to meet them, examples, and in reminding local authorities of their open space provision duties.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - funds from new developments

Many local planning authorities have or are in the process of implementing a CIL. Some are not finding it makes financial sense to have a CIL and are sticking with raising funds from Section 106 agreements. CIL allows local authorities to raise funds from developers to fund (amongst other things) open space provision, which is one of the reasons why most local authorities find it useful to have a bench mark in place.

Any new housing or retail developer will have to pay a levy, so it is an opportunity for each local authority to have a fund for the provision of open space. If you are trying to get permission for a new type of informal green space, It is worth asking whether your local authority use CIL funds to provide informal as well as formal open space.

If they do there could be money available for new amenity space projects or to improve these areas. Howeverit is more likely these funds could be prioritised to formal open space provision (playing fields and equipped areas of play) as these have been traditionally prioritised by local authorities. But these are changing times and with the launch of this up to date guidance, it is easier to make a case for informal open space provision.

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

The benchmarks for recreation and informal open spaces will play an important role in helping public bodies achieve the objectives of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.