EAST COUNCIL

OPEN SPACES AND SPORTS FACILITIES ASSESSMENT TECHNICAL STUDY

Part 4: Open Spaces Assessment: Executive Summary

October 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE STUDY METHODOLOGY 3 KEY FINDINGS 8 IMPLEMENTATION 14

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Study open spaces criteria 3 Figure 2: Open spaces in East Herts – all typologies 5 Figure 3: Town and Parish boundaries 6 Figure 4: Proposed planning standards for open space 15

Nortoft Partnerships Ltd Page 1 of 16 Open Spaces and Sports Facility Assessment Technical Study Part 4: Open Spaces Assessment- Executive Summary INTRODUCTION

This Open Spaces Assessment Study is part of East Hertfordshire Council’s (EHC) Open Space Sports Facilities Assessment and Strategies study, which covers open spaces and both indoor and outdoor sports facilities. The Background and Context report (Part 1) applies to all of sports facility provision and open spaces. The structure for these reports is:

Part 1: Background and context Part 2: Built facilities strategy Part 3: Playing pitch strategy Part 4: Open Spaces Assessment

East Hertfordshire Council requires this Open Spaces Assessment to assess the existing provision of open space in East Herts, building on, and updating a previous study published in 2005, but also having regard to changes in national planning policy. The study makes an assessment of future needs within the timescale of the new Local Plan to 2033.

The study uses well established categories of open space, which are:

Parks and These range from major parks to small memorial gardens – often Gardens used for informal recreation and community events. These may include paths, benches, footpaths, tree and shrub planting, formal gardens, close mown grass for ball games / picnics etc, play areas, facilities for young people, and toilets. Examples of these sites include: Pishiobury Park, and Panshanger Park, . Amenity green Most commonly found in housing areas. Includes informal space recreation green spaces and village greens. Used for informal activities close to home or work, children’s casual play, enhancement of the appearance of residential areas. Examples include: Lower Bourne Gardens, Ware and Green, Brickendon. Natural and semi These include publicly accessible woodlands, as well as urban natural green forestry, scrub, grasslands (e.g. commons, meadows), space wetlands and wastelands. Uses include wildlife conservation, biodiversity and environmental education and awareness. A high proportion of these will be in the countryside rather than the urban areas. Examples include: Kings Mead (Water Meads) in Hertford/Ware and Broxbourne Wood Nature Reserve in Brickendon Liberty. Children and Areas designed primarily for play and social interaction involving young people’s children below age 12, specifically designed as equipped play facilities facilities.

And

Nortoft Partnerships Ltd East Hertfordshire Page 2 of 16 Open Spaces and Sports Facility Assessment Technical Study Part 4: Open Spaces Assessment- Executive Summary Areas designed primarily for play and social interaction involving young people aged 12 and above, specifically designed for use by young people (e.g. youth shelters, skateboard parks etc). Allotments, Sites laid out for people to grow their own vegetables, fruit and community flowers as part of the long-term promotion of sustainability, health gardens and and social inclusion. urban farms Cemeteries & Including closed churchyards or other burial grounds. churchyards

THE STUDY METHODOLOGY

The following criteria were agreed as the typologies to be included in this study, see

Figure 1: Study open spaces criteria

Open Space Criteria Typology Parks and All sites Gardens Natural and semi- Only include where these have a clear recreational function, are natural green part of public open space and are at least 0.2ha in size. space Amenity green Min size 0.2ha unless there is a clear recreational function e.g. space children’s play. Includes informal unequipped play and kickabout areas. Children’s Play All sites Provision for Open access MUGAs, teenage shelters, skate parks, outdoor young basketball etc. people/teenagers Allotments All sites Churchyards and Assessment in relation to open space criteria for sites that have a cemeteries clear recreational purpose.

Audit

The detailed assessment criteria for each typology was agreed with EHC, and every site was visited and assessed during spring 2017. However prior to the site audits, there was:

• A desk based check for accuracy of the previous sites list • Addition of new open space sites taken planning information • Consultation with the Parish and Town Councils to identify any changes in their areas.

Nortoft Partnerships Ltd East Hertfordshire Page 3 of 16 Open Spaces and Sports Facility Assessment Technical Study Part 4: Open Spaces Assessment- Executive Summary The post audit sites list was agreed with East Herts officers prior to the assessment stage.

Open spaces across East Herts

There are a large number of open spaces across East Herts with different primary purposes, including country parks, amenity green spaces, children’s play, and allotments. All of the sites assessed in this study are mapped district-wide in Figure 2 by typology, which provides a valuable overview of the extent and purpose of the existing open space network.

Each open space typology has been tested against the currently adopted standards, followed by assessment where it appears that the existing standards require to be updated. The recommended standards have emerged from a combination of this assessment, comparison with the East Herts’ benchmark authorities’ standards (Sevenoaks, South Oxfordshire, and the Vale of White Horse), and best practice guidance.

The existing parish boundaries have been used as the basis for assessment and the main focus is on the Towns and Group 1 Villages as defined in the Village Hierarchy Study. A map of the Towns and Parishes is given in Figure 3.

Children’s play areas or youth facilities will often be found within a larger site, such as a park or recreation ground. Where this is the case, the physical area of the facility is incorporated into the overall total area of the larger site.

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Figure 2: Open spaces in East Herts – all typologies

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Figure 3: Town and Parish boundaries

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Parish/Ward name Map ref Parish/Ward name Map ref Albury CP 1 CP 26 Anstey CP 2 CP 27 CP 3 CP 28 CP 4 Little CP 29 Aston CP 5 CP 30 Bayford CP 6 CP 31 Rural CP 7 CP 32 Benington CP 8 CP 33 Bishop's Stortford CP 9 CP 34 Bramfield CP 10 Sawbridgeworth CP 35 CP 11 Standon CP 36 CP 12 Stanstead Abbots CP 37 Brickendon Liberty CP 13 Stanstead St. Margarets CP 38 Buckland CP 14 Stapleford CP 39 CP 15 CP 40 CP 16 CP 41 CP 17 Thorley CP 42 Eastwick CP 18 CP 43 CP 19 CP 44 CP 20 Ware CP 45 Great Amwell CP 21 CP 46 CP 22 Watton-at-Stone CP 47 Hertford CP 23 CP 48 CP 24 Widford CP 49 CP 25 CP 50

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Parks and gardens

The Parks and Gardens typology includes town parks, formal gardens, country parks and pocket parks. The larger parks provide accessible, high quality open space to be enjoyed by the general public, for a range of formal and informal activities. As Parks and Gardens are multi-functional green spaces they are more likely to be a specific destination, compared to smaller open spaces closer to home. They are often high value spaces which can act as an important focal point in a community, contributing towards the identity of an area and a sense of place.

There are 8 sites across East Herts which meet the criteria to be included in the Parks and Gardens typology. These include Panshanger Park which accounts for 84% of the total Parks and Gardens space.

The existing quantity standard for Parks and Gardens of 0.53ha per 1000 is only achieved in two of the five towns; Hertford and Sawbridgeworth. The remaining three towns all have a deficit in provision, and none of the Group 1 Villages have a Park and Garden within the parish boundary.

The existing accessibility standard of 800m does not provide a complete coverage for all residents in any of the Towns, and with no Park and Gardens in any of the Group 1 Villages, the existing accessibility standard does not provide any coverage.

Given the findings from the assessment for Parks and Gardens, it is appropriate to consider a combined quantity standard with Amenity Green Space. However there is still a need to retain a separate accessibility standard for Parks and Gardens to recognise their importance as a destination venue. Considering emerging best practice and East Herts comparator authorities, a 710m walking accessibility is proposed. This uses the FiT guidelines for distance/travel time for Parks and Gardens.

The recommended updated standards for Parks and Gardens is given in Figure 4.

Amenity Green Space

Amenity green spaces are public open spaces whose primary purpose is to improve and enhance the appearance of the local environment and improve the well-being of local residents. Often children’s equipped playgrounds whether or not they are fenced, are part of amenity green spaces, and the “informal” unequipped play space which links to children’s play provision is integral to the amenity green space.

The size of a green space is an important factor in the role it plays in the community, as larger spaces tend to support a wider array of activities and are more likely to be a focal point for communities. Smaller green spaces are however still important features to enhance a townscape or village, and to support informal activities.

Nortoft Partnerships Ltd East Hertfordshire Page 8 of 16 Open Spaces and Sports Facility Assessment Technical Study Part 4: Open Spaces Assessment- Executive Summary Very small green spaces, of less than 0.2ha in size tend not to be practical or usable spaces for recreation. Green spaces which are less than 0.2ha in size and without obvious recreational use, (i.e. not containing a play area for example) have therefore been excluded from the assessment.

There are a large number of Amenity Green Space sites across East Herts. In relation to the existing standards, the current average provision for the Towns is over double the existing quantitative standard. With the exception of , all of the Group 1 Villages also have a surplus in the provision.

All of the Towns and Group 1 Villages have at least a partial accessibility coverage of Amenity Green Space or to a Park and Garden within 480m. Five of the Group 1 Villages have a full coverage from the existing accessibility standard.

As with Parks and Gardens, Amenity Green Spaces have been assessed against the Green Flag criteria and comparisons between the previous quality standard and Green Flag are not appropriate. Generally, Amenity Green Spaces in East Herts are good quality, but for those where issues have been raised are mostly in relation to ‘Health, safety and security’. Use of the Green Flag standards would be appropriate in the future.

Given the findings in relation to this type of green space compared to Parks and Gardens, it is recommended that there is a combined quantity standard for Parks and Gardens and Amenity Green Space.

Combined Parks and Gardens quantity standard

Combining the Parks and Gardens and Amenity Green Space typologies gives a current provision of 4.5ha per 1000, inclusive of the small number of very large sites.

If the FiT standards for Amenity Green Space and Parks and Gardens are combined, this gives a recommended rate of provision of 1.4ha per 1000; 0.6ha per 1000 from Amenity Green Space and 0.8ha per 1000 from Parks and Gardens. This would be met in all but four of the Towns and Group 1 Villages. Ware is the only Town that would not meet the proposed quantity standard, which would need an additional 6.25ha of Parks and Gardens or Amenity Green Space required to meet the standard. There is also good coverage of the other larger settlements, within the exception of Standon, Stanstead Abbots and Watton-at-Stone. However the deficit in provision in these villages is minor, each requiring less than 2.0ha extra provision to meet the standard.

The proposed standards are given in Figure 4.

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There are a large number of sites across East Herts which meet the criteria to be included in the Natural and Semi-Natural Green Space typology.

All of the Towns have a large deficit in the provision of Natural and Semi Natural Green Space. The additional space needed in the Towns to meet the existing standard of 7.64ha is 424ha. Clearly, such provision is not realistic, especially when the urban nature of the Towns is considered.

However at the existing accessibility standard of 800m, most of the Towns have sufficient provision, but many of the rural parishes have a deficit.

Green Flag is the current formal quality standard for Natural and Semi Natural Green Space, and has proved a useful assessment tool. However Natural and Semi Natural Green Spaces display a considerable variety, from the managed sites (e.g. Waterford Heath) to the ‘natural’ grasslands and meadows. Therefore, the Green Flag assessment needs to be adapted for the quality standard in the future.

Natural England is the relevant statutory body in relation to natural green space and it recommends the following standards:

• at least one accessible 2 hectare site within 300 m of home; and • at least one accessible 20 hectare site within two kilometres of home; and • one accessible 100 hectare site within five kilometres of home; and • one accessible 500 hectare site within ten kilometres of home. • minimum of one hectare of statutory Local Nature Reserve per 1000 population.

These have been tested and whilst it is recognised that are a useful tool, the larger levels of provision are unrealistic.

Given the outcome of the testing, analysis of comparator authorities and the concentration of development within or adjacent to existing urban centres, it is proposed that there is an updated quantity standard for this typology.

Fields in Trust identify a 720m catchment as suitable for Natural and Semi Natural Green Space. As the Fields in Trust accessibility standards have been recommended to be used for both Parks and Gardens and Amenity Green Space, the 720m catchment for Natural and Semi Natural Green Space is proposed. This would mean that most of the Towns and most of the Group 1 Villages have at least a partial coverage to this type of open space. The proposed standards are summarised in Figure 4.

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The definition of play sites are:

• Local Area for Play (LAPs): a minimum area of around 100 sq m designed for children up to 6 years, and located within 1 minute walking time from home.

• Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP): must be a minimum of 400 sq m in size, to cater for younger children beginning to play independently, and to have a catchment of around 400 m.

• Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play (NEAP): is much larger and caters predominantly for more independent older children with a minimum area of around 1,000 sq m in size and to have a catchment of around 1,000m. NEAPs may also have equipment suitable for younger ages, and therefore act as a LEAP as well as a NEAP. NEAPs should have a hard surface area such as a multi-use games area or a skate park, or other youth facility catering for older children.

This assessment has considered only those sites which have unrestricted community access and the provision of equipped play space. Complementary to equipped play provision is unequipped play space that is landscaped or provides an environment that can facilitate and support play activities. Unequipped play space is considered as part of Amenity Green Space or Park and Garden where a site is located within such an area.

The previous study classified all children’s play sites in terms of them being designated play areas. This study has used the definitions of play sites and sites for young people as now defined by Fields In Trust. However emerging best practice is leading to slightly different approaches towards the provision of children’s play, with a growing trend towards not fencing off children’s playgrounds. Some areas have also seen the growth of natural play facilities, but this is most usually as part of a LEAP or NEAP as these areas still need designing and maintaining. The cost of a natural play area can at least equal that of a more traditional LEAP or NEAP with its standardised equipment.

Based on the current all-inclusive definition of Children’s Play and with the current accessibility standard, there appears to be reasonable coverage in both the Towns and Group 1 Villages. In relation to teenage provision, again all the Towns have a reasonable coverage, however there are some gaps in provision within the Group 1 Villages.

The existing quantity standard of 0.2ha has been applied to both children’s play and teenage facilities. None of the Towns or Group 1 Villages meet the existing quantity standard.

Nortoft Partnerships Ltd East Hertfordshire Page 11 of 16 Open Spaces and Sports Facility Assessment Technical Study Part 4: Open Spaces Assessment- Executive Summary The children’s play and teenage sites were generally considered good quality. However the annual inspection reports should be used to guide the prioritisation of investment at existing facilities in the short term as the situation in relation to improvements and maintenance can change quickly.

It is proposed that the standard for new developments in East Herts should be 0.25ha per 1000 but that this should be for Designated Equipped Playing Space, including teenage provision. Where possible, the provision of LEAPs and NEAPs will be sought. However, smaller developments that do not require a LEAP may be required to provide a LAP on site where appropriate. In addition to this, a financial contribution towards improving the nearest LEAP/NEAP may be required. This will be decided by East Hertfordshire Council on a case by case basis.

The size and quality and accessibility to LEAPs and NEAPs should be as set out in line with the current FIT recommendations. New teenage provision should reflect current best practice, and also take into account the needs expressed by local young people.

Each of the Towns and Group 1 Villages should have a full network of LEAPs, NEAPs and teenage facilities. The remaining Group 2 Villages and other settlements should have a LEAP where the population is greater than 200 people and where there is a local case for need.

The recommended standards are set out in Figure 4.

Allotments

Allotments provide opportunities for those people who wish to do so to grow their own produce providing landscaped open space for the local area that can promote improved physical and mental health.

There are a total of 47 allotment sites in East Herts with a combined area of 42.1ha. Overall, the current level of provision of allotments across the district is 0.31ha per 1000. The existing accessibility standard is 4000m, which as it is so large, is easily met by all of the Towns and Group 1 Villages.

Based on the current standards Ware is the only Town to have a deficit in provision, requiring an additional 0.6ha of allotment space to meet the standard. Stanstead St Margarets is the only Group 1 Village without any allotment space. Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford both have a significant theoretical surplus.

However allotment space in East Herts is well used, with a district wide vacancy rate of less than 5%. The existing standard is therefore too low, and it is proposed that this should be increased.

Generally, the quality of the allotment sites across East Herts is good, however a number of sites were flagged for quality issues, primarily due to a lack of facilities.

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A 1000m catchment is recommended which is the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners recommended catchment.

East Herts has an existing quality standard and this is proposed to be taken forward with some minor amendments. This quality recommendation should be the benchmark for both existing allotments and any new provision of allotment space.

The updated standards for allotments are given in Figure 4.

Cemeteries and Churchyards

Cemeteries and churchyards within urban areas can act as important public open spaces, especially when they are located in the centre of the town. Whilst their primary purpose is for quiet contemplation, these sites can provide an important site for local people or workers who use the sites for lunch time breaks or dog walking, if the site permits. They can also provide space for wildlife conservation within the urban areas.

In East Herts there are 50 cemeteries and churchyards. There are cemeteries and churchyards in all of the Towns and most of the Group 1 Villages. However it was agreed that only the 7 sites which had a clear recreational function would be assessed.

There are currently no standards set within East Herts for the quantity, quality or accessibility of Cemeteries and Churchyards for recreational use. The seven assessed sites were however assessed as good quality.

The nature of this typology means that these sites are very specific to their locality. It is important for the quality of the current sites to be maintained and enhanced. However, it is not considered appropriate to set a quantity or accessibility standard for Cemeteries and Churchyards for recreational use in East Herts.

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The implementation of the strategy will be achieved through a combination of approaches by East Hertfordshire Council and its partners. There are a number of recommendations emerging from the strategy which require specific actions and investment, and others which are more a matter of ensuring the protection of the existing network of open space sites. The formal planning standards and policies can be used as guidance for the negotiations of developers’ contributions linked to new housing.

Where there are no specific site proposals the overriding policy objective will be to protect and enhance the existing network of green spaces and associated facilities.

Planning standards

A key output from the strategy is the development of proposed standards, particularly for new developments. The justification and details behind each of these planning standards are contained within the relevant assessment sections of the report.

These standards will be used to both justify the new provision and developers’ contributions under the existing s106 planning arrangements as individual planning applications come forward.

For new housing developments, sites accommodating 10 dwellings or more will be required to contribute to open spaces provision as per the proposed standards in Figure 4.

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Open space type Proposed planning standards for new developments Quantity per 1,000 Accessibility Quality population Parks and 710m Green Flag Award Gardens Sites should be kept well maintained with well-kept grass, planting and vegetation. High quality and appropriate ancillary facilities should 1.4ha per 1000 be provided. Amenity Green 480m for Green Flag standard Space either Amenity Sites should be well maintained with Green Space appropriate vegetation and planting. Appropriate ancillary facilities, such as or Parks and litter bins and seating should be Gardens provided. Natural and Semi 3.2ha per 1000 720m Green Flag standard Natural Green Space Natural and semi-natural green spaces should have natural features (including water where appropriate). If provided, Public Rights of Way, footways and cycle paths should be clear and unrestricted and conservation areas should be identified. Sites should be maintained to an appropriate conservation standard. Children’s Play 0.25ha per 1,000 of 100m for New LEAPs and NEAPs should and provision for Designated LAPs meet FiT guidelines. young people Equipped Playing Space including 400m for Teenage provision should follow teenage provision LEAPs best practice and be designed following consultation with 1000m for young people. NEAPs

1000m for teenage facilities

Full network of NEAPs, LEAPs and Teenage facilities in the Towns

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Full network of LEAPs in the Group 2 Villages and other settlements where the population is greater than 200 people and there is an identified local need. Allotments 0.30ha per 1000 1000m Allotments should, where appropriate, have parking, toilets, a water supply, access pathways and good signage.

When considering the needs of an application which may be eligible to provide open space it will be important to assess the needs at the town or parish level for quantity, quality and accessibility. If the town or parish has a shortfall in quantity terms, then the development should provide for the typology based on the adopted standard. The quantity of provision will need to be as a minimum proportionate to the new development to make it CIL compliant. If when assessing the amount from a development this results in a surplus in the town or parish, the Council should choose on a case by case basis whether all of the requirement is needed or just the amount to bring it in balance. The Council may choose to negotiate for an alternative open space, equivalent to the excess, where there is a known local need.

If a town or parish has an oversupply of a particular typology and the existing supply is of a suitable quality and accessibility, then it will not normally be appropriate to seek additional provision. However, provision may still be required if the quality and/or accessibility of the existing supply is deemed deficient. This will need to be assessed on a case by case basis.

In the case where a typology is in surplus but another typology is in deficit, it will generally not be appropriate to seek larger provision of the typology in deficit if this is not CIL compliant. However, the Council, in negotiation with the developer, may agree to such a provision if there is an identified local need.

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Nortoft Partnerships Limited 2 Green Lodge Barn, Nobottle, Northampton NN7 4HD Tel: 01604 586526 Fax: 01604 587719 Email: [email protected] Web: www.nortoft.co.uk