Unrestricted

TO: EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR CULTURE, CORPORATE SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION 21 MAY2012

Consultation on the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy and Greenspace Quality Improvements Programme (Director of Environment Culture and Communities)

1 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 To seek approval to consult on the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy prior to adopting. A key feature of the strategy is to raise quality standards for recreational green spaces across the borough to be funded using S106 developer contributions. Therefore the consultation will include liaising with key groups and individuals to help prioritise and target the improvements programme. Subject to the consultation, the intention is to seek approval for the strategy in August 2012.

2 RECOMMENDATION(S)

2.1 That the Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection approves that consultation is carried out on the draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy. This includes consulting on the allocation of S106 developer contributions to carry out site quality improvements.

3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION(S)

3.1 To provide further opportunity for parish and town councils, ward members, local community representatives and other organisations to contribute to the setting of key objectives and actions to safeguard and enhance the Authority’s parks and open spaces.

3.2 Alongside the new parks and open spaces strategy, consultation will focus on proposals to deliver site quality improvements to be funded using developer contributions already secured under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

3.3 Both the strategy and related quality improvements programme will directly and positively contribute to achieving local priorities. The Forest Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-2014 identifies the importance of the green landscape and accessible facilities. Preserving our green heritage is highlighted within the Community Strategy as being central to the future development of the area, as is the significance of providing a range of ways to spend leisure time. One of the key priorities is A Desirable Place: Protecting the Environment. 3.4 Medium Term Objective 3 for Council is to Keep Bracknell Forest clean and green, including work to: • maintain our open spaces to a high standard • increase the amount of green space that is accessible to residents” Medium Term Objective 6 is to Support opportunities for health and well being: • support sports activities and facilities within the Borough

Unrestricted

4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

4.1 To not carry out additional consultation on the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy and quality improvements programme. This would result in a reduction to overall value by missing out on the opportunity to benefit from local knowledge and expertise. Support from local organisations and individuals is considered to be of high importance in continuing to deliver high quality parks and open spaces.

4.2 Whilst there is no legal requirement to produce a Parks and Open Spaces Strategy, such a document is considered to be particularly important in providing an effective service that meets the needs of local residents. An adopted strategy will also support action to seek future investment from external organisations such as grant aiding bodies and the private sector.

5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION

5.1 Provision of and access to public open space is recognised as being a key contributor to well-being, the quality of life and central to: • The character of the built environment • Social functions; especially health, recreation and play, social inclusion, and community development • Environmental quality • Economic vitality • Sustainability

5.2 The importance is such that creation, protection and management of public open space is recognised within a broad legislative framework and is also imbedded within key policy documents at a national and local level.

5.3 The draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (attached as Annex 1) has been compiled following an extensive period of research and initial consultation with local representatives through the Local Countryside Access Forum and also with Town and Parish Councils through the Parks and Public Realm Forum. This includes work previously carried out by BFC in accordance with Planning Policy Guidance 17 Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation.

5.4 The draft strategy focuses on the themes of Quantity; Quality and Use. This includes assessing standards of provision; activities and functions; and community involvement. Key objectives proposed are:

A. Provision : Protect and establish public open space for recreation, play, sport, health, biodiversity, heritage and climate change adaption that is appropriate to need; strategically located; and adaptable to future requirements

B. Maintenance : Provide safe and welcoming public open space; attain and improve quality standards

C. Use and Enjoyment : Make sure public open space supports well-being; encourages participation; and facilitates social inclusion

Unrestricted

5.5 Of greatest importance is sustaining and raising quality standards, together with the provision of well located parks and open spaces that are of a sufficient size to meet the recreational demands of a growing residential population. This needs to be achieved in the context of increasing pressure to reduce public expenditure, alongside encouraging greater community ownership and involvement.

5.6 Funding has been secured in accordance with adopted planning policy. Of particular significance is Limiting the Impact of Development Supplementary Planning Document (ref. Chapter 4 Open Space and Outdoor Recreational Facilities) and the ‘Plus One’ principle whereby works are prioritised towards improving quality as initially audited in 2006. Quality criteria are defined within the draft strategy. 5.7 In raising quality standards, the intention is to deliver the improvements programme in a phased approach. Funding for Phase 1 has been secured and totals £353,312; the target would be for this to be completed by March 2015. Phase 2 funding is also secured and totals £562,289; this would run up until March 2019. A summary of the contributions are attached as Annex 2. Further phases (beyond 2018/19) may also be feasible subject to securing new contributions.

5.8 In addition to being secured to fund quality improvements, there is a requirement that Developer contributions are allocated to open spaces capable of serving the development from which the contribution was paid. This means that the available funding needs to be allocated to a site within close proximity. For Phase 1, timescales are shortest and so sites have already been identified and funding provisionally allocated (subject to the consultation). The intention is to identify sites for Phase 2 as part of the consultation process, providing further opportunity for local organisations and individuals to propose suitable projects.

5.9 Consultation will specifically include:

• Town and Parish Councils. The next meeting of the Parish Parks and Public Realm Forum has been booked for 29 May 2012

• The Environment, Culture and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel. The next meeting is proposed for 17 July

• The Access Advisory Panel; to include a site visit to South Hill Park on 13 June

• In writing to relevant Ward Councillors

• In writing to members of the Local Countryside Access Forum representing land owners / managers, and recreation interests / users (following on from discussion at previous meetings)

• In writing to other relevant Council services via the respective heads of service e.g. Spatial Policy, Development Management, Corporate Property, Community Engagement and Equalities, Environmental Services, Leisure Services, Early Years Childcare and Play, Youth Service, Older People and Long Term Conditions

• Environment Culture and Communities Departmental Management Team. The strategy is on the meeting agenda for 3 July. Unrestricted

In addition, the draft strategy and information on the quality improvements programme will be made available publically via the Council website. A press release will be sent out to help publicise the opportunity for local groups and individuals to provide feedback.

6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS

Borough Solicitor

6.1 Nothing to add to the report.

Borough Treasurer 6.2 The costs of consultation can be met from within existing approved budgets. Funding sources for the delivery of the strategy have been identified in section 6. Allocation of resource post consultation will be subject to a future report. Equalities Impact Assessment

6.3 A full EIA for the Parks and Countryside service (dated March 2009) has been published on the BFC website. This encompasses the key activities covered by the draft Parks and Open Spaces strategy and associated site quality improvements. This EIA is being reviewed and will be updated as part of the consultation process which will include liaison with the Access Advisory Panel. A new screening will be produced as part of the plan approval process.

Strategic Risk Management Issues

6.4 This report relates specifically to consulting on the draft Parks and Open Spaces strategy and quality improvements programme. Subject to the results of this consultation, a further report will be considered in July / August to seek approval. Appendix 5 of the draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (attached as Annex 1) summarises the risk assessment for the Parks and Open Spaces strategy. This will be reviewed as part of the consultation process.

7 CONSULTATION

Principal Groups Consulted

7.1 Parish and Town Councils, Local Countryside Access Forum

Method of Consultation

7.2 In writing, on line and through organised meetings

Representations Received

7.3 None

Background Papers

Draft Parks and Countryside Strategy Summary of contributions received to fund the quality improvements programme

Unrestricted

Contact for further information

Richard Walton, Head of Parks & Countryside 01344 351226 [email protected] Unrestricted

ANNEX 2 PHASE 1: Quality Improvements - Contributions and Proposed Sites

PROPOSED PROJECT YN CODE PLANNING REF. PLANNING SITE NAME PARISHWARD AMOUNT SITES housing estate Goddard Way lying to the south of Harvest with Edmund's Green Lane YN058 618924 Warfield £ 33,847.00 Ride (between The Cut & Warfield Harvest Ride Woodland off Warfield rd Warfield Road) Warfield Chase Woodland off Warfield rd YN160 620232 Thomas Lawrence brickworks Warfield Warfield Harvest Ri de£ 70,000.00 Newt Reserve Goddard Way Warfield Chase

YN224 00/00560 Cannon House, 46 North St Ascot 900.00 £ Blackmore Pond

YN246 02/00445 Land at Woodside & Byways Bracknell and Garth 7 £ 10.00 Farley Copse

Little Sandhurst and Greenway YN254 02/01084 Land at 69-83 High St Sandhurst £ 31,776.00 Wellington Snaprails

Greenway YN256 02/00970 154-160 &r/o 162 College Rd Sandhurst College Town 14,503.31 £ Snaprails

Former Cranbourne Towers New Bridleway (Winkfield) YN283 04/00528 Winkfield Ascot £ 18,000.00 PH, Fernbank Rd Blackmore Pond

Unrestricted

New Bridleway (Winkfield) YN295 04/00929 179-181 New Road, Ascot Winkfield Ascot£ 8,250.00 Blackmore Pond

New Bridleway (Winkfield) YN305 04/00714 Alderley, London Rd, Ascot Winkfield Ascot£ 24,700.00 Blackmore Pond

Land at Hunters Chase & Goddard Way YN312 04/00993 Warfield Binfield with Warfield £ 24,684.00 Newell Green Farm Edmund's Green Lane

Winkfield and YN344 06/00730 Fleur de Lis PH, Hatchett Lane Winkfield £ 67.00 Blackmore Pond Cranbourne

Multi-user path - BTC YN316 04/01056 The Haven, 21 Boole heights Bracknell Old Bracknell£ 59,000.00 (Turnberry) Churchill House

Greenway YN320 05/00340 75,77 & 81 College Rd Sandhurst College Town£ 19,693.00 Snaprails

Unrestricted

Pear Tree House & 6 London New Bridleway - Winkfield YN321 04/00775 Winkfield Ascot£ 7,504.00 Rd Blackmore Pond

Bracknell FP5 YN329 05/00567 Broom Lodge, London Rd Binfield Binfield with Warfield£ 15,600.0 0 Farley Copse

Hawthorne Cottage & Wickfield Goddard Way YN324 05/00707 Bracknell Priestwood and Garth£ 3,134.00 House, Warfield Rd Edmund's Green Lane

Woodland south of Firlands YN342 07/00834 Homefield, Larges Bridge Drive Bracknell £ 8,000. 00 Woodland off Warfield Rd Bill Hill

Bracknell FP5 YN370 07/01281 Dandon, Beehive Rd Binfield Binfield with Warfield £ 10,061.00 Farley Copse

Former Thales site, Western Bracknell. Priestwood and Garth £ 583.03 Farley Cop se YN348 07/00825 Road

Winkfield and YN347 07/00190 Montague Farm , North St Winkfield £ 2,300.00 New Bridleway - Winkfield Cranbourne

Total: £ 353,312.34

Unrestricted

ANNEX 2 PHASE 2: Quality Improvements - Contributions

YN CODE PLANNING REF. PLANNING SITE NAME PARISH WARD AMOUNT

Land at St Chad, Cassares & YN349 04/01203 Bracknell Priestwood and Garth£ 33,857.00 Ossington YN356 08/00492 Old Oak Court, South Rd Bracknell South £ 1,000.00 YN351 07/00969 Land adj 1 Peacock Cottages Bracknell Great Hollands North£ 2,055.00 YN355 07/01300 47 Reeds Hill Bracknell Old Bracknell £ 2,045.00 YN365 06/00002 Half Acre & Netherby Lodge Bracknell Old Bracknell £ 13,000.00 YN360 07/01132 Garth Cottage, Forest Rd Binfield Binfield with Warfield £ 4,100.00 YN372 07/01259 Land at Brakenhale School Bracknell Old Bracknell £ 83,300.00 Badgers Copse (off London YN375 08/00251 Binfield Binfield with Warfield£ 2,000.00 Rd) Popple Trees, Glenhills etc, YN374 08/00260 Bracknell and Central £ 34,600.00 Rd and YN376 08/00217 13-17 Crowthorne Road Sandhurst £ 8,000.00 Wellington YN377 09/00328 1 Wilders Close Bracknell Priestwood and Garth £ 2,020.00 Little Sandhurstand YN383 08/01057 Forest End Cottage Sandhurst £ 4,124.00 Wellington YN380 09/00249 114 College Rd Sandhurst College Town £ 2,020.00 YN395 08/00470 Land adj 8 Rosedale Binfield Binfield with Warfield £ 2,050.00 Royal Mail delivery Office, YN399 10/00289 Crowthorne Crowthorne £ 5,780.00 Kings Rd YN378 08/00086 57 Church Rd, Ascot Winkfield Ascot £ 2,000.00 YR897 The Meadows Sandhurst College Town £ 873.00 r/o Tulisa & Sentosa, Forest YN381 09/00084 Crowthorne Crowthorne£ 2,130.00 Rd (65 Dukes Ride) Land at Swinley Edge, YN384 07/00815 Winkfield Ascot£ 2,090.00 Coronation Rd YN389 08/00624 Land at Woodridge House Bracknell Wildridings and Central£ 385.00 Two Orchards, Wokingham YN387 05/01081 Bracknell Priestwood and Garth£ 8,420.00 Rd YN391 08/00070 64 Branksome Hill Rd Sandhurst College Town £ 2,100.00 Unrestricted

1 dwelling at the rear of Kate's YN398 08/00984 Winkfield Ascot£ 2,100.00 Cottage, Priory Road 11 dwellings on land at Reeds YN397 08/01034 Bracknell Old Bracknell £ 23,050.00 Hill Farm, Reeds Hill 5 dwellings on land at Neale YN393 10/00021 Winkfield Ascot £ 10,155.00 Lodge, Priory Road YN364 02/01041 Wykery Copse Binfield Binfield with Warfield £ 87,917.00 Little Sandhurst and YN401 09/00664 Land West of Wokingham Rd Sandhurst £ 4,030.00 Wellington YN405 10/00623/FUL Land adj. Peacock Cottages Bracknell Great Hollands North £ 2,000.00 YN406 07/00973 224 College Road Sandhurst College Town £ 6,460.00 10/00033 and YN409 2a Woodridge close Bracknell Wildridings and Central £ 6,150.00 08/01015 YN358 07/00234 Beaufort Park Bracknell Great Hollands South £ 1,575.00 YN412 10/00718/FUL 21 Farnham Close Bracknell £ 1,000.00 Winkfield and YN413 10/00685 88-94 Locks Ride Winkfield £ 4,000.00 Cranbourne Land adj 1 Field House Close, YN410 10/00532/FUL Winkfield Ascot £ 2,025.00 Coronation Rd land adjacent to 1 Lovel Winkfield and YN418 10/00467/FUL Cottages, Woodside Road, Winkfield £ 2,060.00 Cranbourne Ascot. SL4 2DS Land at Peacock Bungalow, YN416 10/00616 Binfield Binfield with Warfield £ 59,200.00 Beehive Lane YN420 10/00001 The Gallery, 45 Brookside Sandhurst Central Sandhurst £ 2,000.00 Yates Farm, off Westley Mill YN421 07/01135 Binfield Binfield with Warfield £ 2,170.00 Lane 1 dwelling on land adj. Winkfield and YN424 10/00129 Foliejon Garden House, Winkfield £ 2,000.00 Cranbourne Winkfield Lane Land at Junction with Bay YN417 10/00780 Drive London Road Bracknell Bracknell Bullbrook £ 46,700.00 Greenacres, Old Bracknell YN426 11/00468/FUL Bracknell Wildridings and Central £ 2,000.00 Lane West Unrestricted

The Hollies, Milestone, YN425 07/00035 Burnside & Kirkfield Bank, Bracknell Harmans Water £ 47,500.00 London Road Formerly 14 dwellings on the former Old YN427 10/00437/FUL, Manor Public Car Park, The Bracknell Wildridings and Central £ 14,000.00 now: 11/00533 Ring Sarem House, Lower YN422 10/00722/OUT Crowthorne Crowthorne £ 2,083.19 Broadmoor Rd 25 YN429 11/00426/FUL Eastcote Place Fernbank Winkfield Ascot £ 2,000.00 Road Ascot SL5 8JD Red Tile Cottage, Old Tollgate Cottage and Land rio The YN435 11/00573 Bracknell Harmans Water £ 8,000.00 White Cottage, London Road, Bracknell, Berkshire 1 dwelling on land adjoining Winkfield and YN428 10/00299/FUL Winkfield £ 2,140.00 Knight's Hall, Winkfield Lane Cranbourne

1 dwelling at 62 King Edwards YN437 11/00354/FUL Winkfield Ascot £ 2,025.00 Road

Total £ 562,289.19