Open Space Strategy 2012- 2017 CONTENTS Introduction Strategic context Open space overview Supporting evidence Open space needs Vision and key themes Resources Three year action plan Measuring progress Further information groups. All these groups and many others help to strengthen INTODUCTION communities by addressing local concerns and advocating on behalf of some of the most vulnerable in society. Lewisham is a part of London, the largest, most culturally diverse and vibrant city in the European Union and home to Lewisham’s future is intrinsically linked to that of London and over 7.5 million people. the wider region. The borough is part of the Thames Gateway area which will see significant housing and Stretching from the banks of the Thames in the north, to the economic growth in the near future. In London itself the borders with Bromley in the south, the 13.4 square miles of number of jobs is predicted to grow by over half a million by Lewisham encompass strong communities who take pride in 20162. their local areas and neighbourhoods. In 2012 London will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games This sense of place ensures that while the borough and its showcasing the city and the achievements and vibrancy of neighbourhoods develop they maintain their unique its communities. Lewisham’s citizens will be well placed to be identities and preserve Lewisham’s rich natural, cultural and involved in this major international celebration and benefit architectural heritage. from its legacy. Lewisham has a population of over 270,000. The population The borough is one of the greenest parts of south-east is relatively young with one in five under 15 with one in seven London with over a fifth of the borough made up of being over 601. It is the 15th most ethnically diverse local parkland and open space3. ‘Green Flag’ parks, attractive authority in England. residential neighbourhoods and Lewisham’s waterway network all combine to create a relaxing and pleasant environment in the midst of bustling city life. Two out of every five residents are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and there are over 130 languages The Open Space Strategy is guided by the National Planning spoken in the borough, making links throughout London and Policy Framework March 2012, has taken findings set out in across the world. the Lewisham Leisure and Open Spaces Study 2010 (LLOSS) and has built upon the 2005-10 Open Space Strategy. Lewisham has over 800 active voluntary and community sector organisations and more than 200 individual faith 1 According to the Office for national Statistics (ONS) 2007 Mid-Year Population 2 ELS Estimate on 29 September 2009 the population of Lewisham is 261,600 3 726.11 ha Lewisham Leisure and Open Spaces Study 2010, page 96, Table 4.1 Strategy layout Strategic Context Sets out the national, regional and local context providing Three year action plan an overview of key Council policies in relation to open An action plan identified to meet the first three years of the space. six year strategy in order to help achieve the vision for open space. Open space overview Details the key aspects of the main typologies of open space in the borough. Supporting evidence Outlines the evidence provided in the Lewisham Leisure & Open Spaces Study 2010. This PPG17 compliant study provides a detailed analysis of the quality, quantity and accessibility of open space in the borough. Open space needs Assesses the open space needs as identified through detailed consultation with residents, park users, friends and amenity groups. Focus groups provided more in-depth analysis and discussion of the key issues raised. Vision and key themes Sets out the vision for open space and the seven key themes identified to help achieve it Resources Sets out the challenges for budget holders in delivering quality open space over the term of the strategy of vibrant communities and town centres, well STRATEGIC CONTEXT connected to London and beyond This strategy has been shaped by national, and regional The Open Space Strategy sits within a wider framework of guidelines, the broader priorities of Lewisham Council and strategies and service delivery plans. Together these set out the specific aims for parks and open spaces. This has the overall priorities for the area and the actual plans for involved wide ranging consultation with other services and how each service will meet local needs. Figure 1 shows how sectors, service users and the general public. these relate to each other. Lewisham's Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-20, Fig. 1 Open Space Strategy Delivery Framework Shaping our Future, sets out the broad themes that describe a ‘sense of place’ that all Council services aspire to. It has Sustainable Community Strategy six priority areas to which open space contributes directly: Ambitious and achieving – where people are Corporate Strategy inspired and supported to fulfil their potential Safer – where people feel safe and live free from crime, anti-social behaviour and abuse Local Development Framework (Core Strategy) Empowered and responsible – where people are actively involved in their local area and contribute Lewisham Leisure & Open Space Study (PPG17) to supportive communities Open Space Strategy 2012-17 Clean, green and liveable – where people live in high quality housing and can care for and enjoy their environment Lewisham’s Lewisham Tree Public A Play & Lewisham Biodiversity Borough Strategy Art Recreation Cultural Action Plans Sports Plan Strategy Strategy Strategy 2010-13 2009-13 Healthy, active and enjoyable – where people can actively participate in maintaining and improving their health and wellbeing Dynamic and prosperous – where people are part Environment Division Service Plan 4. Securing high quality design and a good standard of Key to developing this strategy is the need to review the amenity for all existing and future occupants of land national, regional and local strategic context for open and buildings space. 5. Taking account of the different roles and character of different areas, promoting the viability of our main National Context urban areas and recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside The strategy has been guided by the National Planning 6. Supporting the transition to a low carbon future – Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 27 March 2012. The taking into account flood risk and encourage the use NPPF sets out the government planning policies for England of renewable resources and how they are expected to be applied. 7. Contribute to conserving and enhancing the natural environment and reducing pollution The NPPF consolidates over 1,000 pages of planning 8. Encouraging the effective use of land by reusing land guidance, including PPG17 into a single 59-page document that has been previously developed (brownfield land) and must be taken into account in the preparation of local 9. Promoting mixed use developments and neighbourhood plans. It is also a material consideration 10. Conserving heritage assets in a manner appropriate in the determination of planning applications. At the heart to their significance of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable 11. Actively manage patterns of growth to make the development. fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in There are 12 core planning principles that should underpin locations which are or can be made sustainable both plan-making and decision-taking. (Para 17) 12. Supporting local strategies to improve health, social and cultural wellbeing Core planning principles There are 12 core planning principles that should underpin Achieving sustainable development both plan-making and decision-taking. (Para 17) The NPPF provides specific detail relating to 13 aspects of 1. Plan led – provide a practical framework within which sustainable development which proposals and plan-making decisions on planning applications can be made with needs to comply with. These are: a high degree of predictability and efficiency • building a strong competitive economy 2. Creative – finding ways to enhance and improve the • ensuring the vitality of town centres places in which people live their lives • supporting a prosperous rural economy 3. Proactively driving and support sustainable economic • promoting sustainable transport development • supporting high quality communications and beyond, London should: excel among global cities – infrastructure expanding opportunities for all its people and enterprises, • delivering a wide choice of high quality homes achieving the highest environmental standards and quality of life and leading the world in its approach to tackling the • requiring good design urban challenges of the 21st century, particularly that of • promoting healthy communities climate change.” The Mayor’s six objectives for the new • protecting Green Belt land London Plan are to ensure that London is: • meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding a. A city that meets the challenges of economic and and coastal change population growth to ensure a sustainable, good and • conserving and enhancing the natural environment improving quality of life for all Londoners and helps tackle • conserving and enhancing the historic environment the huge issue of inequality among Londoners, including • facilitating the sustainable use of minerals. inequality in health outcomes. b. An internationally competitive and successful city with a strong and diverse economy and an entrepreneurial The planning system should contribute