Public Open Spaces Guidance

Development involving the loss of Public Open Space

This guidance has been prepared to provide a framework to promote a consistent approach in the development control decision making process.

It has been prompted by the publication of Revised Planning Policy Guidance contained in PPG17 and is intended as an interim document pending the undertaking of an open space audit and the revision of the Corby Borough Local Plan.

Category 

Public open space will be classified according to its function as follows: -

• Small or narrow areas of amenity open space generally unsuitable for children's' play but which form part of the overall landscape of an area such as tree belts, amenity verges etc
• Small area of local public open space (less than 0.4Ha) which are suitable for children's' play and provide for the needs of the immediate locality
• Large areas of strategic open space (over 0.4Ha) which provide for the needs of the immediate locality and wider areas such as parks, playing fields, major pedestrian routes etc
• Areas set aside for or important for biodiversity

Policy Guidance

When considering proposals for development involving the loss of public open space the Borough Council will have regard to: -

In relation to all areas of public open space:

• the existence of significant trees and biodiversity value
• the impact on any footpath or right of way
• the implications for road safety
• the impact on the function of the area
• crime prevention
• the degree of support in the local community
   

Sympathetic consideration will be given to crime prevention measures involving changes of use of very small areas of open space to protect exposed walls/windows of individual buildings  

In relation to small or narrow areas of amenity open space

• the impact of the proposal on the form and character of the street scene and wider landscape. In particular the extent to which the area forms a positive element of the street scene/landscape
• the impact of any form of enclosure

In relation to small areas of local open space

• impact on adherence to Local Plan standards
• the location of nearby play areas and provision of safe routes

Without an independent assessment that the land is surplus to requirements there will be a general presumption against proposals involving the loss of strategic open space or areas of biodiversity value.

Planning advice & guidance