Policy SC7 - Creation of New Open Space

Support

Representation ID: 4998

Received: 02/01/2024

Respondent: Define (on behalf of William Davis Homes)

It is recognised that Policy SC7 seeks to require on-site Public Open Space (POS) provision only from sites of 10 dwellings or more. The provision of high-quality and accessible POS is, however, an integral part of supporting healthy communities and, therefore, it is important that RCC ensures there is a greater mix of sites within sustainable villages to ensure that such benefits are delivered. That is discussed in further detail in WDH’s response to Policy SS3.

Support

Representation ID: 5106

Received: 03/01/2024

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England welcomes this policy particularly bullet point e which aims to maximise green infrastructure benefits and link to the wider GBI network.
We suggest you may want to refer to Natural England’s Accessible Greenspace Standards to determine open space needs based on size, proximity capacity and quality. The Environmental Improvement Plan has highlighted an initial focus on access to green and blue spaces within 15 minutes’ walk from home.

Support

Representation ID: 5207

Received: 03/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Frank Brett

Supported

Object

Representation ID: 6606

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)

Agent: Montagu Evans LLP

Comments made on behalf of the DIO as part of a full written response to Rutland Council. Representations should be read in context and not in isolation.
Policy SC7 is supported in principle, however the level of information sought within the Policy is very detailed and would normally be expected to be approved via suitably worded conditions (e.g., Part (g) materials, equipment RoSPA accredited inspections, etc for play equipment) or s106 Obligations (e.g., funding strategies for future maintenance). These are not Policy related matters and should be removed from the policy if it is to be found sound.

Support

Representation ID: 6857

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

Policy supported, specifically point e., which relates to maximising ecological benefits/networks and delivering Biodiversity Net Gains.

Object

Representation ID: 7184

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Persimmon Homes East Midlands

The open space standards proposed are significantly higher than those in place in the current local plan with the amount almost doubling.

Reviewing the figures this is from an increase in the provision of parks/ gardens/ amenity space provision and a requirement for 1.8ha of natural/ semi natural open space of 1.8ha per 1,000 population, previously this was not a requirement.

With respect to Parks and Gardens, the current Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document sets out a standard of 0.4ha per population the Open Space Assessment, states at paragraph 6.37 that the existing quantity standard is 0.75ha, this appears to be incorrect (this information is also shown in Table 33 of this document ‘Proposed Quantity Standards in Rutland’

Persimmon Homes are of the view there is an insufficient evidence space to justify the use of this national benchmark figure for new developments, particularly given the Assessment states at paragraph 6.38 that there is a current and future surplus at a County wide level.

Whilst Persimmon Homes recognise the importance of incorporating Natural and Semi Natural Greenspace on site and incorporating standards within the local plan, particularly given the links to achieving required biodiversity gain levels, we would question the need for the levels proposed.

Persimmon Homes welcome the inclusion of criteria e) of this policy and consider it is imperative the biodiversity function of open space is recognised within this policy.

Support

Representation ID: 7322

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Manor Oak Homes

Agent: Mr Andy Moffat

The proposed threshold of 10 dwellings or more for the provision of new or enhanced publicly accessible open space is supported.

Support

Representation ID: 7369

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: The Society of Merchant Venturers

Agent: Savills

The overall aim for major new developments to make provision for public open space aligns with the provisions of the NPPF (2023) and is therefore supported.

Policy SC7 states that the type of provision will depend on the nature and location of the proposal and local
needs. However, parts a to g then set out a number of expectations for the design and provision of new
open space. Given the acknowledgement that public open space provision should take into account site specific circumstances and local needs, it is particularly important that design guidance is not rigidly applied in order to ensure that appropriate development comes forward.

Object

Representation ID: 7453

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Sport England

Objection to the wording proposed for the following reasons:

1. Does not protect existing open space including playing fields
The section for Policy SC7 is entitled “Protecting Open Space for healthy and sustainable communities.” However, the policy is only written to create new open spaces and fails to include the need to protect existing open space including playing fields from being built on.

The headline findings in the emerging Playing Pitch Strategy for Rutland (Stage D) (PPS) are that there are shortfalls in the area for football and cricket pitch provision and future predicted shortfalls for football, rugby and cricket pitches. The draft recommendations of the PPS are to protect the existing quantity of playing pitches in the area.

There is a need for Policy SC7 to include a section on the clear advice offered by paragraph 103 of the NPPF (2023) on how all playing fields should be protected from development.

Sport England is concerned that Policy SC7 is not compliant with the wording in paragraph 103 and so objects to the wording of these policies which do not protect playing fields from being built on.

2. Use of a quantity standard for calculating the new provision of outdoor sports facilities.
RCC is currently working on updating its Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) as part of its evidence base for the Local Plan Review. As mentioned in the text in Appendix 3 the adoption of an up-to-date Playing Pitch Strategy would allow the use of the Sport England playing pitch calculator.

This text on the use of Sport England’s Playing Pitch Calculator should be included in the policy wording for both on-site provision and off-site provision and the justification wording for the policy.

The text on the completion of the PPS by autumn 2023 will need to be updated to reflect the current timetable.

Object

Representation ID: 7563

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: House Builders Federation

This policy seems to be seeking to give Local Plan status to as yet unwritten SPDs which is not appropriate.

Object

Representation ID: 7885

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

The only currently proposed development of over 300 dwellings is Stamford North but the need for
outdoor sports facilities is not mentioned in Policy H2 – is SKDC committed to including such?

Object

Representation ID: 7940

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Ryhall Parish Council

Not at the expense of valuable and diverse priority habitats.