Open Space and Play Areas
New Housing Developments – Open Space
All new housing developments over 0.5 hectares will be
expected to include open space as set out in Policy S 5 of the
South Lakeland Local Plan. For sites
between 0.5 and 2.0 hectares this 15% of the site should be open
space. For sites over 2 hectares a minimum of 20% open space should
be provided.
New Housing Developments – Play Space
A new housing sites will be required to provide childrens play
space in accordance with the
details set out in Policy S 6 of the South
Lakeland Local Plan. These can be summarised as
follows:-
- Toddlers – a minimum of 3 sq metres of formal fenced childrens
play space for each child bed space in family housing schemes over
0.5 hectares or 10 dwellings
- Juniors (5-11) – larger fenced areas with appropriate play
equipment, located at around 400 metre intervals in housing schemes
over 50 units
- Older Children – a kick about space of about half an acre
should be incorporated into housing schemes of over 100 units.
These requirements are additional to each other rather than
exclusive.
Open Space Assessments
When is an open space assessment required?
Planning consent is not normally given for development of
existing open spaces which local
communities need. For development within open spaces, application
proposals should be
accompanied by plans showing any areas of existing or proposed open
space within or adjoining
the application site.
In the absence of a robust and up-to-date assessment by a
local authority, an
applicant for planning permission may seek to demonstrate through
an independent assessment
that the land or buildings are surplus to local requirements and
any such evidence should
accompanying the planning application.
Further Guidance