Regulation 19 Rutland Local Plan
Local Green Space
What will this policy do?
A local green space is a designated area of green or open space that is demonstrably special to the local community that it serves. This policy will protect areas with a Local Green Space designation from development apart from in very special circumstances. These exceptions are set out in the NPPF and align with Green Belt status. The Local plan does not identify any Local Green Spaces, however a number of Neighbourhood Plans designate LGS and this policy will protect these sites accordingly.
Policy EN9 –Local Green Spaces Comment
An area identified as a Local Green Space within an adopted Neighbourhood Plan will be protected from development in line with the NPPF, which rules out development on these sites other than in the very special circumstances set out in the NPPF.
Why is this policy needed?
Local Green Space (LGS) is a national designation, as referenced in the NPPF[10], which aims to protect green areas or spaces which are demonstrably special to a local community and hold a particular local significance. Parish and Town Councils, through Neighbourhood Plans, can identify green areas of particular importance to them for special protection as Local Green Spaces. LGS designation can be used where there is evidence which demonstrates the green space meets the following criteria:
- it is in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves
- it is demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including playing fields), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife
- it is local in character and scale and not an extensive tract of land
Additionally, the green space should-
- not already subject to a planning permission or an adopted local plan allocation
- not already protected by another designation or strategic planning policy
- be physically or visually accessible in some form
Planning permission will only be granted for development proposals on LGS in very special circumstances. These exceptions are set out in the NPPF and align with Green Belt status.
When Neighbourhood Plans are being prepared or reviewed, consideration may be given to the designation of green space which are of particular importance to the community for special protection as Local Green Spaces. Proposals for the designation of a site as an LGS must meet the criteria set out above.
Supporting Evidence
National Planning Policy Framework 2023
[10] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65a11af7e8f5ec000f1f8c46/NPPF_December_2023.pdf
