he following organisations all formally endorse the policies contained in this T Part One of the Park Plan he Regional Park Authority also acknowledges the involvement and T support of the many other organisations who have taken part in preparing the Park Plan. CONTACT ADDRESS: All enquiries relating to this Part One: Strategic Policy Framework of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s Park Plan should be addressed to: Gillian Morgan Senior Planning and Development Officer Lee Valley Regional Park Authority Myddelton House Bulls Cross Enfield Middx. EN2 9HG Tel: 01992 717711 Fax: 01992 788623 E-mail: [email protected] ISBN 09501433 9 1 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Foreword By the Chairman of the Authority his latest plan for the future development Part Two of the Plan, the Land Use Proposals, of the Lee Valley Regional Park differs in will put flesh on the bones of this Policy Framework T format from its predecessors in that its and the Authority’s strategic Business Plan will two main sections, the Policy Framework and the establish priorities, determine deadlines and ensure Land Use Proposals are published separately. resources are available so that plans do not remain There are a number of reasons for this, the most plans, but progress into realities. compelling being that we live in a changing world and must recognise that a change in the circumstances that affect the development of the Regional Park may call for a change in policy. Equally, in the context of an overall Policy Framework, the proposed use for particular sites might change again due to changing circumstances. Anne Mallinson The separation of the two main sections enables Chairman, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority the Authority to reflect its flexibility and sensitivity to change and presents it with the opportunity to keep the Plan up to date as and when fundamental changes occur. This Part One of the new Plan outlines the Objectives and Policies that will enable the Authority to realise its Vision for the Regional Park. A Vision that translates its basic remit as defined in the establishing Act into meaningful, tangible goals for the benefit of the region’s population. A Vision that others can share in and contribute to by embracing the Objectives and Policies outlined here and by pursuing them as vigorously as the Authority will. Our attention will increasingly be focused on utilising to the full the unique physical and natural resources within the Regional Park, particularly the areas of open water. We will remain vigilant and determined in protecting the Park from unsuitable development and look for every opportunity to bring land into use for leisure and recreation. Foreword By the Chairman of the Plan Review Committee he process of reviewing the 1986 Park The procedures for consultation and involving the Plan has been a lengthy and painstaking community in the development of this final Policy T one so, arriving at this Part One, Policy Framework mirrored, as far as was practicable, Framework, has not been without its challenges. those followed by local planning authorities for But it has been an absorbing and instructive local plans. Meetings and discussions were held exercise too, in which Members have had not only with relevant statutory bodies, local authorities to immerse themselves in the Regional Park itself, and national and regional organisations, including getting to know practically every nook and cranny, residents groups. Their views and responses were but also to gain a clear understanding of the wider analysed and considered and where appropriate, picture of leisure provision and nature conservation revisions were made. The resulting “Deposit” Park in the region. It was only through such thorough Plan, Part One was formally placed on deposit in investigation that the Authority felt it could be clear July 1997 for a 12 week period. Nearly 1,500 and certain about its role in relation to other bodies representations were received within the and its proposed future development strategy for consultation period, mainly expressions of support the Regional Park. and endorsement. However, following consideration of the responses, the Plan Review Committee The very first task was to identify the most agreed to amend several Objectives and Policies. important issues which needed to be addressed The draft was then placed on deposit for a further by the Park Plan Review. These were determined six week period from the end of January 1998, by conducting a series of topic studies on a wide and general agreement obtained. variety of subjects relevant to the future development of the Park. These topics fell into Finally, on 23rd April 1998 the Part One Document one of three subject categories: Leisure Activities, was approved unanimously at a meeting of the full Physical Resources and Environmental Park Authority. The Objectives and Policies set out Considerations. The individual topic studies here have been adopted as the Strategic Policy were analysed and collectively summarised into Guidance for the future planning and development the Position Statement, which identified common of the Regional Park. Members hope that the Vision threads and particular needs and opportunities. which has informed their discussions over the past These were then consulted upon and discussed in period will guide, enhance and protect the Regional depth with relevant local authorities and regional Park for the future. bodies to gain their views and input, thus enabling the Plan Review Committee finally to arrive at the Key Issues and Objectives, Then the really hard work began; that of developing and drafting policies to address the Issues and Objectives. Both in committee and Mrs. Eileen Kinnear outside, Members and Officers discussed, debated, Chairman, Plan Review Committee even argued. Policies were formulated, scrutinized, reviewed and re-formulated. Slowly but surely a “Draft” Policy Framework emerged which was ready to be published for consultation. Lee ValleyRegional Park Park Plan Part One:STRATEGIC POLICY FRAMEWORK SECTION ONE Introduction Page Number The Vision 3 Chapter 1 The Lee Valley Regional Park 5 Chapter 2 Core Values and Key Issues 13 SECTION TWO Resources Chapter 3 Introduction to Resources 21 Chapter 4 Land Resource 27 Chapter 5 Landscape 39 Chapter 6 Nature Conservation 53 Chapter 7 Water 67 Chapter 8 Culture and Heritage Resource 79 SECTION THREE Visitor Enjoyment Chapter 9 Introduction to Activities 89 Chapter 10 Water Recreation 95 Chapter 11 Informal Recreation 111 Chapter 12 Formal Recreation 123 Chapter 13 Culture and Heritage 133 Chapter 14 Tourism and the Visitor 141 SECTION FOUR Achieving the Vision Chapter 15 Introduction to Implementation and Evaluation 157 Chapter 16 Implementation 159 Chapter 17 Evaluation 165 Glossary 169 Index 175 Index to Key Diagrams 181 Lee Valley Regional Park Plan Part One: Strategic Policy Framework SECTION ONE SECTION ONE Introduction Page Number The Vision 3 Chapter 1 The Lee Valley Regional Park 5 Chapter 2 Core Values and Key Issues 13 1 Lee Valley Regional Park Plan Part One: Strategic Policy Framework SECTION ONE 2 Lee Valley Regional Park Plan Part One: Strategic Policy Framework The document is designed to be used not only by the Park Authority but by all those who live, work The Vision and operate within the Regional Park. The Park Authority will therefore not only seek to implement The Vision For the the objectives and policies itself, but will also seek Regional Park to have them implemented through the activities and actions of other organisations and individuals. ● To be a cohesive, sustainable and valued regional green lung. By outlining the Vision for the Regional Park in Part SECTION ONE One it is hoped that the objectives and policies will ● To be an area of enhanced and protected influence new development, statutory documents natural bio-diversity for the enjoyment of all. and planning applications to create a Regional Park ● To achieve full utilisation of the unique land with an image and identity that transcends local and water assets of the Regional Park for authority boundaries. specialist leisure and recreational facilities developed in accordance with principles of The Role of the sustainability and design excellence. ● To be an accessible and permeable, integrated Park Authority visitor attraction to serve the region which will The Park Authority was established to lead in the include local communities. development of the Regional Park in recognition of the complexity of the Valley for it was thought that: The Vision expresses desirable characteristics “only by single-minded dedication could the objects of the Regional Park and is the basis on which of the exercise be achieved”. (Civic Trust 1964). decisions about the planning and development of The Authority still believes in its role to lead, the Park will be made. The Authority would hope innovate and make creative provision for the that landowners, local authorities and different region's leisure. Through the Park Plan, the communities of interest can share this common Authority seeks to identify the most effective purpose of the Park's protection and development ways to use its powers to enable and encourage and adopt the agreed Vision themselves. other partners to provide for leisure, to acquire land and to continue its management role. The Role of Part One The Park Authority is not a development control of the Park Plan agency and the Park Plan is not a local development It is a statutory duty of the Lee Valley Regional plan. Proposed development and activities within Park Authority to produce a plan of proposals for the Regional Park must therefore comply with the the future use and development of the Regional requirements of the local authorities’ development Park. The Park Plan consists of two parts, plans and where necessary planning permission published separately.