APPENDIX B ’s Great Outdoors 2016 – 31 Second Edition

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Foreword

In July 2008 I introduced our first Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) to you. Following consultation on a revised version of that Plan between last December and March 2016, I am delighted to welcome you to the second version of our RoWIP.

Luton is a thriving multi-ethnic town. It is surrounded on three sides by the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, accessed from the fringe of the town by a number of public footpaths and bridleways. There are a number of excellent parks and green spaces within the town, connected by a network of other paths and cycleways. The public rights of way network, together with other paths and cycleways in the town, therefore forms an important resource for leisure and informal sports, as well as travel to meet our everyday needs.

The starting point of this revised Plan was a review of the previous RoWIP. Whilst there were a couple actions in that Plan that initially started well, the Government withdrawal of funding in 2011 meant these had to be replaced by alternative reactive measures. However there were many actions that have been successful at encouraging more people to walk and cycle, including the TravelLuton project working with schools, businesses and the local community, the Green Corridors project in the north east of the town, improvements to the Upper Lea Valley Walk and the Park Run in every Saturday.

The review also recommended that the structure and themes of the first Plan should be continued into this second edition and, as the first Plan was based on extensive research, that the original work was reviewed based on trends in national and local datasets.

However, deprivation continues to be a problem in some areas of the town, and a recent study has indicated that Luton still has the lowest rates of life expectancy in the East of . As public health is now based within the Local Authority this is given more focus within the refresh based on a pilot of Social Prescribing in the and areas of the town due to commence later this year.

This revised Plan includes a number of actions, building upon recent improvements to the network of paths and cycleways in and around the town, together with various initiatives to encourage greater use of them. In particular the new Plan commits to a phased approach to signing public Rights of Way and adoption of routes in the older areas of the town.This should lead to healthier, more cohesive local communities in Luton.

Get out and enjoy, Luton’s great outdoors!

Hazel Simmons Leader of the Council

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Contents Foreword ...... ii Contents ...... iii Introduction ...... 2 Our Vision ...... 2 Context ...... 2 So what are Public Rights of Way? ...... 3 Other Access ...... 4 About this document ...... 5 Introduction...... 5 What is a Rights of Way Improvement Plan? ...... 5 Central and Luton Joint Local Access Forum ...... 5 The Assessment...... 5 The Statement of Action...... 6 Review of 2008 Rights of Way Improvement Plan...... 6 Strategic Policy Linkage ...... 7 LBC Prospectus (2013 – 2016) ...... 7 Pre-Submission Luton Local Plan (2011 – 2031) ...... 8 LBC Infrastructure Delivery Plan ...... 9 Luton Local Transport Plan (2011 – 2026) ...... 10 Strategic Vision for Sport and Physical Activity (2013) ...... 10 Health Inequality Strategic Plan (in development) ...... 11 Luton’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) ...... 12 Luton Green Infrastructure Plan ...... 13 Luton Greenspace Strategy Review (2014)...... 14 State of the network ...... 15 Rights of Way ...... 15 Promoted Routes ...... 15 Luton Parks...... 17 User and Non User Data ...... 19 Luton People ...... 19 Health and Physical Activity ...... 19 ...... 20 Monitoring Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) ...... 20 Residents and User Data - 2008 ...... 21 Recent local survey information ...... 22 Overall Summary ...... 25 Neighbouring Authorities ...... 26 County / Unitary Level (Highway Authorities) ...... 26 District Council Level (Planning Authorities) ...... 28 Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ...... 28

iii Other Key External Influences ...... 29 Action Plan ...... 30 Theme 1 - A better signed, maintained and accessible network for the whole community ...... 31 Theme 2 - Improved promotion of Rights of Way and Access Routes ...... 34 Theme 3 - Improving Health and Wellbeing ...... 37 Theme 4 - Promoting Confidence, Safety and Security ...... 39 Theme 5 - Updating the Definitive Map, Influencing Planning and Growth ...... 41 Delivery Plan ...... 43 Appendix 1 – Parks, Green spaces & County Wildlife Sites in Luton ...... 44 Glossary ...... 43

Produced for by Woods - Countryside and Leisure

Woods - Countryside and Leisure were commissioned in May 2015 to deliver a review and refresh of Luton Borough Council’s - Rights of Way Improvement Plan and to develop a strategy to update their Definitive Map and resolve the excluded area.

iv Introduction

This second edition of Luton’s Great Outdoors, our Rights of Way Improvement Plan, builds upon the first plan published in July 2008 which incorporated an initial work programme for 2008 – 2015. A full review of that Action Plan has been completed prior to the development of this plan.

Consultation on a draft of this plan with local residents and stakeholders took place between 24th December 2015 and 17th March 2016, including a presentation at each of the Area Board meetings between late February and mid-March. It has been updated to incorporate stakeholder comments and, particularly in the Action Plan, the key points from the analysis of the residents questionnaires.

Our Vision

We will make Luton a better place to live, by:

 Connecting our communities better by improving access for walking and cycling to shops, schools, community services and nature, building on the distinctiveness of each area.  Protecting and enhancing Luton’s natural features so that they continue to provide discovery and enjoyment of natural spaces, parks and leisure opportunities.  Actively encouraging walking and cycling within Luton and to the surrounding countryside.

We will work within the constraints of Luton’s economic, social and environmental resources but, with the support of the whole community, will improve the quality of life in Luton.

Context

The medical evidence is compelling that getting out into Luton’s parks and other green spaces together with the surrounding countryside helps you stay healthy, live longer and boosts your self-esteem and mood. Walking is the perfect exercise for people of all abilities. It’s remarkable something so simple can be so restorative and invigorating.

Over the last few years, walking and promoting exercise and wellbeing through access to natural environment, parks and access routes, has gained substantial momentum, with more robust evidence and some high level advocates.

Luton, although a predominantly urban environment, has some wonderfully engaging and special parks and green corridors, which provide sustainable travel, exercise opportunities and ‘access to nature’ for everyone. The management and development of these are focused within Luton’s Greenspace Strategy Review (2014).

2 The promoted trails that pass though Luton include the Upper Lea Valley Walk, the Way and the National Cycle Network route 6 (NCN6) that connects Luton to Harpenden to the south and in the north to longer distance trails including the Chilterns Way and the Chilterns cycleway. They also provide the opportunity to explore the historical context of Luton, whether it’s , the Grade 2 Registered Wardown Park, Wauluds Bank or the former hat-making industry, together with the Registered Parks and Gardens of Bury and respectively just east and south of Luton.

The Department of Health recommends the amount of exercise for adults is 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. That’s just 30 minutes of exercise over five days a week. The paths and green spaces within Luton are a local resource that can provide the opportunity for increased physical activity.

In addition Luton is surrounded by some of the most distinctive and special landscapes in the South East. The Chilterns AONB is highly accessible, with many links connecting with the edge of the town, including Downs, Common, Warden and Galley Hills, Sundon Hills, Pegsdon Hills and the picturesque villages of Lilley and Hexton. Further afield are Downs and the Estate.

This Improvement Plan looks at Public Rights of Way, but also includes paths through parks, green corridors, cycle tracks (including NCN6 and the cycle track along the Guided Busway which connect Luton with Dunstable and ) and regularly used paths and routes that are not currently recorded as Public Rights of Way. It seeks to improve the management of Luton’s access networks, whilst promoting and encouraging greater use of these networks to explore Luton and the surrounding countryside.

So what are Public Rights of Way?

Public Rights of Way are not, strictly speaking, a path but a right possessed by the public to pass along linear routes over land at all times. Although the land may be owned by a private individual, the public may still gain access across that land along a specific route. The mode of transport allowed differs according to what type of public right of way it is. Public Rights of Way are all highways in law, but the term is generally used to cover more minor highways.

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Other Access

In addition to Public Rights of Way, when considering the existing access within Luton, there are a number of different route types which are particularly prevalent within the Excluded Area. Although not currently formal Rights of Way, there is an extensive network of surfaced paths, some of which are part of the Luton cycle network, which are well-used. In addition there are also un-surfaced routes particularly through parks and connecting with the open countryside surrounding the town.

4 About this document

Introduction. This is the second edition of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) for Luton. It provides the context for the future management of and investment in the rights of way network and other access and countryside activities, to meet the needs and demands of the local community. The first edition ran from July 2008 to 2015. This second edition will run from 2016 to 2031.

What is a Rights of Way Improvement Plan? The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act, 2000, Sections 60, 61 and 62, require all Highway Authorities in England and Wales to publish a RoWIP for their area. The plan should build upon the Highway Authority's existing duties to:

i. maintain and keep the ‘Definitive Map & Statement of Public Rights of Way’; and ii. ensure that the Rights of Way are adequately signposted, maintained and free from obstruction.

Statutory guidance indicates that RoWIPs should be incorporated into Local Transport Plans (LTPs) to help address sustainable transport and road safety issues. It also directs that they should take into account wider agendas such as local transport and sustainable travel planning, biodiversity, community safety, culture and tourism, local economic needs, health, recreation and social inclusion.

RoWIPs are to be the prime means by which Highway Authorities identify the changes and improvements to local rights of way networks, in order to meet the Government's aims of better provision for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and people with disabilities.

The RoWIP is divided into two main parts; the Assessment and the Statement of Action.

Central Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Local Access Forum

Local Access Forums (LAFs) are independent advisory bodies, statutorily required by the CRoW Act 2000, Sections 95 and 96. The LAFs independent members appointed by Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Borough Council provide advice on the improvement of public access to land within its area for the purpose of open air recreation.

Highway Authorities have a duty to consult and involve their Local Access Forum in the preparation and delivery of the RoWIP.

The Assessment.

The statutory guidance issued by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra, November 2002) indicates that, in drawing up their plans, Highway Authorities were required to make an assessment of:

5 i. the extent to which local rights of way meet the present and likely future needs of the public; ii. the opportunities provided by local rights of way (and in particular by footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways and restricted byways) for exercise and other forms of open-air recreation together with the enjoyment of the local area; and iii. the accessibility of local rights of way to blind or partially sighted people and those with mobility problems.

The Statement of Action.

Highway Authorities are required to produce a Statement of Action to address the issues identified in the assessment. In Luton the statement outlines strategic actions that could be used to bid for resources, especially from the LTP and are to be supported by work programmes.

Review of 2008 Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

The CRoW Act 2000 required local authorities to prepare their first RoWIP by 20 November 2007 and then review it not more than 10 years after its publication.

In Luton, the first RoWIP was adopted by Luton Borough Council in July 2008 with an action plan covering the period 2008-15. This document is available online at: http://www.luton.gov.uk/Transport_and_streets/Cycling%20and%20walking/Walking/Pages/Public% 20rights%20of%20way%20-%20enforcement.aspx

A review of the outputs from the first improvement plan was undertaken in June 2015, seven years after its publication. Key achievements included:

• Travel Luton project promoting walking, cycling and public transport. • School travel – Bikeability • Green Corridors Project • Countryside Sites Enhancement Initiative • Upper Lea Valley Walk enhancements • Park Run – Wardown Park • Luton Dunstable Busway and its adjacent cycle and walk way

The review and the following recommendations were presented to the Central Bedfordshire and Luton Local Access Forum for comment and approval:

 The original 2008 plan is well structured, concise and accessible; it is recommended to build on this format and its structure into this second edition of the plan.  As the user and non-user data to develop the original plan was robustly investigated, it is proposed not to refresh but to review this based on trends in national and local datasets.  As public health is now based within the Local Authority it is recommended that this is given more focus within the refresh.  The refreshed plan will establish a methodology for monitoring and reporting.

6 Strategic Policy Linkage The Rights of Way Improvement Plan is a truly cross cutting document that offers benefits and linkage opportunities with a number of Luton Borough Council strategic documents including:

 LBC Prospectus 2013 - 2016  Pre-Submission Luton Local Plan 2011- 2031  LBC Infrastructure Development Plan (in development) 2015  Luton Local Transport Plan 2011 – 2026  Luton Forum (LSP) – Sustainable Communities Strategy 2008 – 2026  Strategic Vision for Sport and Physical Activity 2013  LBC Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2012 – 2017  Annual Public Health Outcomes 2014  Health Inequality Strategic Plan (in development)  Luton Green Infrastructure Plan 2014  Luton Greenspace Strategy Review 2014  Luton’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment 2015 (JSNA)

The remainder of this chapter summarises the key points from the main documents (highlighted above in bold).

LBC Prospectus (2013 – 2016) Following the significant changes to local government funding since the economic crash in 2008/9, the Prospectus was developed to refocus the Authority and provide a steer to the redevelopment / updating of strategies. It identifies:

 That Luton has a quality built and natural environment that gives businesses confidence.  That there is an economic case to be made for taking a holistic and preventative approach to delivering public health.  That businesses and sustainable employment has the secondary benefits of making happier and healthier residents arising from being employed; a better built and natural environment; a ‘positive multiplier’ effect, keeping spending within the local area; less call on expensive public services associated with helping people who are unemployed.  That the financial pressures faced by the council, will be challenging for areas of service delivery concerned with environmental improvement, protection and the enhancement of green space. It suggests that all opportunities should be made to draw down external funding opportunities and grants to deliver this area of work.

The table overleaf shows how the Council’s strategic priorities support the three themes of the Prospectus. These are underpinned by a priority which recognises the ongoing importance of providing services as efficiently and economically as possible.

7 Prospectus Strategic Priorities Theme Business & Create a vibrant environment where businesses thrive & Growth prosper. Protect and enhance the quality of the natural & built environment. Education & Improve life and learning opportunities & skills for all. lifelong learning Safe, supported Empower, support & protect the vulnerable. & healthy Improve health & promote health equality. Reduce crime, antisocial behaviour & the fear it causes. Strengthen community cohesion.

In this context Luton’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan will specifically contribute to all three of the above Corporate priorities and the related strategic objectives.

Pre-Submission Luton Local Plan (2011 – 2031) The Luton Local Plan (LLP) establishes Luton’s long-term spatial vision for the Town and through the provision of objectives and policies demonstrates how this vision will be achieved.

The Vision identifies a commitment to protect and enhance the town’s natural features and provide multi-functional open space and leisure opportunities and to the provision of a better-connected town which is less dependent on the car to promote healthy communities with good access to jobs and services.

Of the twelve ‘Strategic Objectives’ within the LLP, four have direct implications to this plan:

 Strategic Objective 4: To establish an effective network and hierarchy of town, district and neighbourhood centres to serve as the heart of local communities; improving health and wellbeing through improved access by train, bus, walking and cycling to a mix of uses including shopping, services and jobs.  Strategic Objective 5: To improve the built and natural environment to deliver quality places, through high quality design and sustainability taking into account the character and setting of the neighbourhoods, including historic assets and seeking safe environments which help to reduce crime and the fear of crime.  Strategic Objective 8: Improve accessibility, connectivity, sustainability and ease of movement to, from and within the borough.  Strategic Objective 10: Improve the quality, accessibility and recreational value of green space and natural areas, whilst protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

The LLP sets out the challenges and opportunities associated with the growth of the town, and includes chapters on each of the council’s main delivery areas, which analyse the baseline situation and set out policies along with supporting

8 evidence in order to shape delivery. Appendix 11 of the LLP summarises the various evidence-base studies and other supporting documents; other appendices that have a meaningful linkage to this Plan include the Green Infrastructure network and Greenspace standards and the approach taken to encouraging more sustainable travel in particular associated with Strategic and major housing and commercial developments.

There are two chapters in the LLP that are particularly relevant to this Plan; Chapter 10 (Natural & Historic Environment) and Chapter 11 (Transport, Communications & Climate Change) and specifically the following Policies and their supporting text:

 Policy LP 27 Open Space and Natural Greenspace  Policy LP 28 Biodiversity and Nature Conservation  Policy LP 29 Landscape & Geological Conservation  Policy LP 30 Historic Environment  Policy LP 31 Sustainable Transport Strategy

LBC Infrastructure Delivery Plan – (in development – 2016)

The primary function of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) is to support the Luton Local Plan 2011-2031 (LLP). It identifies (as far as possible) the critical and other infrastructure necessary to support the delivery of the objectives, spatial development strategy and other policies set out in the LLP.

The IDP also provides an overarching framework for service providers’ plans and programmes, bringing them into one place.

The Green Infrastructure chapter uses established Green Infrastructure Plans (2006, 2011, 2014), The Sundon and Streatley Vision Plan (2013) and the Greenspace Strategy Review (2014) to identify a number of (currently un-costed) projects, including the development of district parks by: enhancing the quality of existing assets, the enhancement of recreational grounds to provide multifunctional green spaces, the enhancement of the Lea Valley Corridor and the River Lea itself and a green bridge to cross the M1 to reconnect Dallow Downs.

In addition, outside Luton’s boundary there are recommendations for 60ha+ of new strategic green spaces, enhancement of the Theedway to create a linked green corridor between Great Park and Bramingham Wood and green corridors both to connect and circulate users to link with Sundon Hills Country Park, Streatley, Sundon Springs and Warden & Galley Hills.

The Infrastructure Bill currently being promoted by Government also includes a requirement for the Councils to prepare a Walking and Cycling Plan, which will replace the Council’s Sustainable Travel Plan.

9 Luton Local Transport Plan (2011 – 2026)

The third Luton Local Transport Plan (LTP3) covers Luton, although it does refer to strategic transport infrastructure and other cross-boundary matters for the whole conurbation, particularly in relation to the planned growth of the area.

Linking statutory RoWIPs to local transport plans will promote a shift to active travel, a more interesting and connected transport network and help lever funding for implementation of schemes that meet several joint objectives.

Guidance from the Department for Transport acknowledges that the Statement of Action will be relevant beyond transport and the LTP. The LTP therefore identifies a number of other daughter documents, the most relevant to this Plan being:

 Walking & Cycling Plan (in development)  Bus Strategy  Sustainable Modes of Travel to School & College Strategy  Road Safety Plan.

The LTP has a specific Policy for Public Rights of Way

Strategic Vision for Sport and Physical Activity (2013) The Vision for sport and physical activity outlines the Councils ambitions, aims and objectives for sport and seeks to highlight how sport and physical activity makes a critical contribution to Luton’s priority outcomes and enables residents to ‘Live Better Lives.’

The term sport is open to wide interpretation; this Vision defines sport as including formal and informal sport, active recreation and elements of physical activity.

Increasing participation in sport and physical activity can also make a significant contribution, across the life-course, to a wide range of physical and mental health outcomes, and reduce health inequalities. Sport and physical activity have high preventative potential to reduce the burden of a broad range of chronic diseases in people at all stages of life and there is also evidence that demonstrates the impact

10 of exercise as a treatment, reducing the need for expensive drugs, and potentially adding years to life.

Analysis suggests that Luton Borough Council should focus on increasing participation levels generally, with specific interventions aimed at:

 Older people (aged 55+)  Younger people (aged 16-34)  Disabled people  Women and girls

Amongst other areas Parks, green corridors open spaces, cycling and walking are identified as immediate outcomes.

Health Inequality Strategic Plan (in development)

The term ‘Health Inequalities’ refers to the fact that significant outcomes in health, such as life expectancy, and disability-free life expectancy, show a gradient with socio-economic class, with those living in the poorest circumstances likely to become ill and disabled at an earlier age and to die sooner than those who are wealthy. Health inequalities are known to result from a complex array of interdependent factors and there are few straightforward evidence-based solutions.

The purpose of this Plan is to create pathways to a healthier future which enables residents to ‘Live Better Lives’.

It is now well established that the quality of our physical and social environment impacts on our health and wellbeing. The findings from Marmot’s, Fair Society, Healthy Lives highlights the correlation between deprivation and poor health and wellbeing. Successful places that promote wellbeing often combine good design of the physical realm and strong community and social infrastructure. For example, poor housing in a deprived neighbourhood with a lack of access to green spaces will have a negative impact on physical and mental health1.

It is important that the built and natural environments support the adoption of healthy lifestyles by providing good access to healthy, affordable foods, key infrastructure (such as libraries, parks and community centres) and active travel options (such as walking and cycling routes). Using and influencing local planning, housing, regeneration and transport policies and effectively monitoring the health and wellbeing impacts of those policies can achieve this. Furthermore, creating and improving healthy communities will involve discouraging unhealthy environments that promote negative health experiences such as poor air quality, antisocial behaviour and feelings of being unsafe.

To develop this Strategy, relevant services currently provided in Luton have been mapped against the recommendations, with the aim of identifying gaps and issues.

1 Marmot Fair Society, Healthy Lives

11 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 5: Create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities, has the greatest cross over with the delivery of the RoWIP.

This objective recognises that seven of Luton’s District and Neighbourhood parks have achieved the Green Flag standard. The Council also manages a large number of local open spaces, which provide a range of facilities including 47 children’s playgrounds and an adventure play area which opened in 2011. However, provision of green space of recreational value is below the standards (for each typology) and this has been identified in the Green Infrastructure Plan for Luton 2014. Due to expected growth in Luton’s population, the protection and continuous improvement of the existing green space is an important issue for the communities of Luton.

Amongst other priorities, there are four that align with the ROWIP:

 Increase the use of sustainable travel (including walking and cycling) as the ‘first choice’ of transport - engage schools and parents to overcome fears of cycling and walking.  Improve the accessibility, connectivity, biodiversity and recreational value of existing parks, green spaces and natural areas to promote good mental health and physical activity through partnership working across departments.  Use healthy urban planning principles to build green and open spaces of recreational value into new developments to help address the shortfall of open space across Luton.  Maintain the current level of parks (7) attaining the Green Flag Quality Award

Luton’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

Luton’s JSNA published in 2015, includes an evidence base for the benefits of health and the natural environment. The key transport priorities of the JSNA are to:

 Increase the use of sustainable travel (including walking and cycling) as the ‘first choice’ of transport.  Increase accessibility of public transport in areas in the south and east of Luton and key facilities and employment sites.  Engage schools and parents to overcome fears of cycling and walking.  Obtain information from A&E admissions to identify hotspots for collisions between vehicles and children, and target improvements at these locations  Maximise the national and regional accessibility of Luton’s key facilities and employment opportunities in order to attract inward investment

NICE has produced guidance on physical activity and the environment (PH8), which is targeted at professionals who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for, the built or natural environment, setting out that places should be provided where children and young people feel safe in taking part in physical activities.

12 The Faculty of Public Health published a report in 2010 on “Great Outdoors: How our natural health service uses green space to improve wellbeing” highlighting the physical and mental health benefits of using green spaces.

A recent ‘Public Health England’ (PHE) briefing suggests that to increase access to green space local action should include:

 creating new areas of green space and improving the quality of existing green spaces  increased accessibility of green spaces and improved engagement with local people  increasing the use of good quality green space for all social groups

Defra has published a White Paper outlining how it will protect and improve the natural environment and the National Policy Planning framework states that access to high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities.

Luton Green Infrastructure Plan

Luton Borough Council has a long history of embracing the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI) planning, having been a core partner in the development of the Bedfordshire County Strategic GI plan (2006). The Council has recently updated its borough-wide GI plan (2014) which seeks to apply strategic context to the role of integrated land management. It informs and influences priorities outside its boundary and the shape and form of its own Greenspace Strategy Review.

A definition of ‘green infrastructure’ was outlined in the ‘Natural Environment White Paper’ (2011) as “a term used to refer to the living network of green spaces, water and other environmental features in both urban and rural areas. It is often used in an urban context to cover benefits provided by trees, parks, gardens, road verges, allotments, cemeteries, woodlands, rivers and wetlands. Green infrastructure is also relevant in a rural context, where it might refer to the use of farmland, woodland, wetlands or other natural features to provide services such as flood protection, carbon storage or water purification. Green infrastructure maintains critical ecological links between town and country.”

In this context a key element of this Plan will be to work with neighbouring Councils to ensure connectivity of rights of way from Luton to nearby places of historic character such as Houghton Hall Park, Luton Hoo and Putteridge Bury (respectively just to the west, south and east of the town), and landscape corridors to connect the town to the surrounding countryside such as Dunstable Downs, Sundon Hills Country Park, Sundon Springs and the wider Chilterns AONB.

13 Luton Greenspace Strategy Review (2014)

As part of the process of reviewing the Local Plan for Luton (out to consultation in autumn 2015), it was necessary to produce an updated Greenspace Strategy for the Borough. The purpose of this document was linked with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and supported by the previous requirements of the Planning Policy Guidance (PPG), PPG17 Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation.

NPPF paragraph 73 states that: “Access to high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities. Planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the needs for open space, sports and recreation facilities and opportunities for new provision. The assessments should identify specific needs and quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses of open space, sports and recreational facilities in the local area. Information gained from the assessments should be used to determine what open space, sports and recreational provision is required” (NPPF, 2012).

Both the NPPF and the Greenspace Strategy Review (GSR) identify the importance of access provision to open space. The GSR goes further and specifically links the role of Public Rights of Way to connect people with green corridors, parks, open spaces and the natural environment both within and surrounding the borough.

Improved access is particularly important for areas that do not have open spaces (see page 20), although parks maybe outside a 5 minute walk catchment, improved access and connectivity will enhance the offer that can be provided to residents in these areas.

14 State of the network Rights of Way There are around 38 kilometres of Public Rights of Way in Luton (about 22.5km of Public Footpaths and 15.7km of Public Bridleways) shown on the Definitive Map, the majority of which are in an urban environment and towards the edge of the conurbation.

Luton also has a large Excluded Area, which is an area covering approximately 70% of the Authority’s area. This Excluded Area was never mapped as part of the original creation of the Luton’s Definitive Map and Statement, resulting from the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

The Public Rights of Way on the existing Definitive Map, together with the extent of the Excluded Area are shown in Figure 1.

Promoted Routes In addition to legally defined Rights of Way, Luton has an extensive network of access routes, cycle tracks, green corridors and parks that enable the movement of people around the town. These include:

 National Cycle Network route 6 – A route through Luton and providing connections south to Harpenden and west to Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.  The Lea Valley Walk – This regionally significant 50 mile route follows the flow of the River Lea from its source at Common, south through Harpenden, finishing at Limehouse Basin, Limehouse, east London and the Thames.  Luton Dunstable Busway – Providing both guided bus and a parallel cycle and walking link out of the town to connect with Dunstable and the Chiltern Hills to the west.  The Icknield Way is a nationally significant long distance walking route covering 110 miles connecting from the Ridgeway National Trail at Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to The Pedders Way at Knettishall Heath, near Thetford in Norfolk.  The Icknield Trail, is the sister trail of the Icknield Way, it provides access from the Ridgeway at Princess Risborough in Buckinghamshire connecting to the Pedders Way in Norfolk. The routes enables walkers, horse riders and cyclists to follow the Icknield Way  The John Bunyan trail is a circular 70 mile walk which can be joined from Sundon Hills Country Park, the route passes through villages and towns in Bedfordshire, connecting with areas connected to John Bunyan, including, Harlington, Ampthill, Bedford and Oakley.  The Luton Hat Trail - comprising two different tours of the town to choose from. Both are designed to cover the most intact parts of the remaining historic hatting districts of Luton, each with their own architecture and character that are linked together by the hat trade of the 19th and 20th centuries.

15 Figure 1 - The existing Definitive Map and the Excluded Area

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 The Chiltern Way is a circular walking route of around 200 km (125 miles), taking in some of the finest scenery in the country . It is waymarked throughout.

 The Chilterns Cycleway is a 173 miles circular cycle route through the Chilterns AONB, taking in the best of the Chilterns scenery. The route is mainly on-road and is signposted throughout. The Chilterns cycleway passes just 3 miles from Luton, and is accessed from the town along Sustrans route NCN6.

Luton Parks Luton’s network of Parks and Green spaces includes District and Neighbourhood Parks, areas of County Wildlife Site designation and a range of local open spaces (see full list in Appendix 1). Many of these provide access and greenspace corridors connecting communities through the town with the River Lea corridor and into the surrounding Countryside and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty.

Access to District and Neighbourhood parks in Luton is relatively good across the borough; however, there is inequality in the distribution of publicly accessible green space of recreational value across Luton and not all of these spaces have accessible paths or good connectivity with the network.

The Greenspace Strategy Review identifies that improvements in quality are required in order for sites to meet the needs of local communities and the expected growth in the population.

In addition to those mapped below, Luton Borough Council also owns and manages Warden and Galley Hills (outside the authority’s boundary) connecting with Stopsley Common to the north east of the town.

Strategic work undertaken by the Green Infrastructure Consortium looks at providing greater connectivity, connecting green spaces along the river corridor and with the wider countryside. This and the Greenspace Strategy Review 2014 will guide the council in seeking mechanisms to improve the current provision through the creation of appropriate and accessible routes and green corridors, and improved facilities to ensure a holistic approach to the delivery of a local green space network to meet the needs of the community.

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The patchy distribution and significant areas of deficit identified add weight to the recommendation made earlier in this Review that an Allotments Strategy is required to focus on the issues and identify potential new sites. k. Composite Accessibility Maps

Recognising that while looking at accessibility according to typology and hierarchy is a very useful tool in helping guide provision within each, it is also helpful to look at a broader picture. Therefore the following map (Figure 10) illustrates all Amenity Greenspace (above 0.2ha) and Parks and Gardens, grouping these elements of the hierarchy together as they share some similarities in terms of how they are used. It uses a 300m (5 minute walk) catchment only – the larger catchments reflecting longer walking distances or driving/cycling catchments, have not been included. This is to demonstrate a basic level of accessibility only – what is easily accessed by everyone. It also reflects the fact that sites higher up the hierarchy, at the ‘district’ or ‘strategic’ level are used by people as their ‘local’ or ‘neighbourhood’ greenspace if they are nearby – regardless of size. Figure 2 Greenspaces in Luton within a catchment of a 5 minute walk.

18

As Figure 10 shows, coverage across the town is reasonable, although there is a large ‘doughnut’ of the Central Sub‐Area, stretching into the South and West, with poor access. Various other areas of deficit are scattered across the town. Wards experiencing high levels of social deprivation in areas of deficit include Biscot, Dallow and High Town. Strategic creation of new greenspaces could actually significantly reduce these areas of deficit.

34

User and Non User Data

For Luton’s first Rights of Way Improvement Plan (2008), a substantial level of research and public consultation was undertaken to inform when and how people use the network as well as their future requirements. The key conclusions from this data are summarised below. In addition to this, Natural England is now annually publishing data from their ‘Monitoring Engagement with the Natural Environment’ (MENE). Unfortunately this information cannot be disaggregated to Luton, but the National Data provides some overall trends.

Luton People

Around 210,000 people live in Luton. Each and every one of them has their own health and wellbeing needs and assets they can offer. Meeting those needs and enabling communities to support each other is a complex task. It means everybody – the council, health, social care, voluntary community sector and community leaders need to work together to succeed in supporting people to resolve these issues in an effective and efficient manner.

Over the next 20 years there will be an increase in the population by some 30,000 people with more growth after that; during this period higher growth is predicted in the number of children and those above retirement age. Luton has a high population density and significant inward and outward migration.

Luton has an ethnically diverse population with around 55% of the population from black minority ethnic groups and 75% of school pupils from black minority ethnic groups. Half of the children do not speak English as their first language. Cultural participation is low, with the engagement in arts, sport and physical activity low. Also one in three adults is inactive.

Luton has high levels of deprivation and low levels of life expectancy (compared to England) and there is a large gap between least and most deprived areas within Luton (7.1 years for males and 5.3 years for females).

Health and Physical Activity

Luton’s latest Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), published in 2015, highlighted that in 2014 Luton was 12th (out of 150) most inactive local authority in England. Luton also had a higher-than-average rate of premature deaths: 306.7 per 100,000 compared to 281 per 100,000 in England.

There has been a decrease in the percentage of inactive adults in Luton between 2005/06 and 2012/13 from 54.0% to 52.8%. However, a greater proportion of those

19 aged 26-34 years do not participate in any sessions of moderate intensity physical activity. In 2012/13 inactivity in Luton was:

 higher among females (59.5%) than males (46.3%); in England these values are females (51.9%) and males (41.9%);  higher in the white ethnic group (53.8%) than the non-white groups (50.5%); in England the white group is more active with a value of 46.7% compared to 48.4% for non-whites;  higher (72.9%) than the England average (69.9%) for those with limiting disabilities; and  higher (59.7%) of the population working in National Statistics Socio Economic Classifications (NS-SEC) 5-8 (lower supervisory, semi-routine, routine and manual jobs together with never worked and long-term unemployed) compared to 44.0% in NS-SEC (higher and lower managerial, administrative and professional occupations).

Monitoring Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE)

Published in 2015, the year 5 MENE annual report takes data gathered from 2013 -2014, this overview provides some clear national messages.

20 Residents and User Data - 2008

To inform the 2008 Luton Rights of Way Improvement Plan, a questionnaire was distributed to the 952 residents on the Citizens’ Panel and 40% replied. The findings are presented on pages 8 to 11 of that Plan as representative of adults in Luton, because respondents were mainly over 25 years of age. Most socio- economic characteristics of this sample were reasonably representative of the overall adult population; however people from black and ethnic minorities (BME) were under-represented. The full data is presented within the 2008 RoWiP http://www.luton.gov.uk/Transport_and_streets/Cycling%20and%20walking/Walking/Pages/Public% 20rights%20of%20way%20-%20enforcement.aspx

Frequency of use by type of user

 Walking is a frequent activity in Luton therefore a large number of residents and visitors could benefit from improvements to the network in the future;  Rights of way in Luton are generally well used: the majority of young people and adults, with and without disabilities, had used at least one path in the last year;  More people had used paths in parks and open spaces in the last year compared to other path types  Paths in parks and open spaces are used with a similar frequency to footpaths, but bridleways and byways are used less frequently;  People with disabilities and other mobility restrictions used rights of way just as frequently as other people; and  Luton’s large population of young people use rights of way more frequently than the adult population.

Travel to and on Rights of Way

 Most people walk to reach and to travel along footpaths, bridleways and paths in parks and open spaces (use of public transport is rare);  Private vehicles are more likely to be used to reach paths in parks and open spaces than footpaths and bridleways outside of parks and open spaces;  Compared to the adult population, a greater proportion of younger users travel by foot or public transport and a smaller proportion travel by car;  The majority of residents use local rights of way, travelling no more than 15 minutes to reach paths;  Adults travel further to reach bridleways and byways, reflecting the lack of these types of rights of way in Luton; and  Adults tended to use paths for half an hour to an hour with young people using them for less than quarter of an hour.

Reasons for use

 Adults mainly use rights of way for enjoyment or exercise and health reasons while for young people they are a functional resource and are mostly used for travel between places;

21  Just under a sixth of adults and young people use paths in parks and other green-spaces to access areas for sport and games;  The majority of users were accompanied by another person, although half of young people also commonly travel alone therefore safety is paramount; and  Just under a quarter of adult users were accompanied by a dog on rights of way.

Future Needs and Demands of users

 Information about the needs/demands of various groups of people that use the rights of way network in Luton has been obtained principally from the stakeholder workshops held in Spring 2007;  Walkers want: better continuity of paths away from roads and clearer signs, road and rail crossing to address fragmentation, a green infrastructure map, routes with sightlines for safety and public transport links;  Cyclists want: cleaner cycleways, mixed use paths with clear codes of conduct, paths designed for a variety of uses;  Horse carriage drivers want: secure parking with attractive, un-fragmented circular routes and good road access;  The off-road biking group want an area for quad bikes to use; and  People with mobility restrictions prefer wide, smooth paths with a firm surface, a gentle slope and no obstructions, stiles or steps.

Recent local survey information The GreenSTAT survey, developed by GreenSpace (a charity dedicated to improvement and protection of public parks and green spaces) collects feedback from visitors to such areas about how they visit and use them, along with perceptions about the area. The report is in two parts; the first compares the 1,686 Luton responses, against all 49,550 of the GreenSTAT responses from 100 local authorities. The second part compares results for the Green Flag parks and other improved parks in Luton with those for other parks and open spaces in the town. The remainder of this section summarises the key results for the Luton survey, drawing comparisons with both the national database and the disaggregation between the different types of parks in Luton.

The following sections also summarise responses to the initial questions in the residents questionnaire about how they use public Rights of Way and other routes to access parks and green spaces in the town.

22 Frequency of use by type of user

This chart indicates 90% of residents B1a How often do you visit the park or open use parks and green spaces in Luton at space?

1% 7% least once a year. Whilst there are slight 3% differences between the proportion of 2% Never visit responses to the Luton GreenSTAT 13% Less than once a year surveys compared to other areas, Once a year overall these are not significant. The 2016 residents survey indicated that 2 or 3 times a year 63% use Rights of Way and access More Often routes to parks at least one a week, VOID (No answer 13% use them 2-3 times a month, and 74% submitted) 17% less than once a month, and only 8% not at all or within the last year.

Travel to parks and open spaces

B5 Approximately how long does your normal This chart indicates 84% of visits to journey take? parks and green spaces in Luton are 3% 1% 4% made on foot compared to 64%

12% nationally, a significant difference which

Less than 5 minutes relates to a much lower percentage of 5 - 10 minutes car borne visits, 11.5% in Luton 45% 10 - 15 minutes 15 - 20 minutes compared to 28.9% nationally. The 20 - 30 minutes More than 30 minutes 2016 residents survey indicated that 71% walk to parks and green spaces on 35% foot and 57% by car (note: respondents allowed to select all modes that apply).

Compared to the national average a typical visit to one of Luton’s parks involves a much shorter journey; almost 80% of visits to Luton’s parks entail of journey of less than 10 minutes whereas nationally only 60% of visits involve such a short journey. When Green Flag/ other improved parks are compared with other parks and open spaces in the town, the percentage of residents within 10 minutes is lower (about 60%) for those visiting the Green Flag and other improved parks.

The main areas visited The table overleaf indicates the parks and green spaces that respondents to the 2016 residents survey indicated that they used.

23 Area visited Once/week 2/3 times Less than or more month once/month & Lewsey Park 28% - 71% New Town/ParkTown/Stockwood Park 25% 50% 25% Leagrave & Leagrave Park 23% 15% 62% & Riverside walk 21% 14% 64% Farley Hill & Winsdon Hill 21% 7% 71% Biscot & Wardown Park 20% 20% 60% Stopsley & Stopsley Common 14% 29% 57% Bramingham & Gt Bramingham Wood 14% 14% 71% Dallow & Dallow Downs 8% 8% 83% Marsh Farm & 8% 23% 69% Warden & Galley Hills 7% 29% 64% High Town & Popes Meadow 7% 13% 80% Hart Hill & Powdrills Field - - 100% Other areas around Luton & Dunstable 16% 25% 58%

Reasons for use

The graph overleaf for the GreenSTAT survey indicates that visitors to Luton’s parks and green spaces are generally more interested in sport and fitness activities than in enjoying the peace quiet and beauty of the place. In Luton 18% report that they visit to enjoy the flowers and trees and to enjoy the beauty of the place, whereas nationally 25% enjoy the flowers and trees and 27% enjoy the beauty of the place.

Respondents from Luton were more likely to choose active lifestyle options, 20% chose riding a bike compared to 10% nationally, 29% visit the play area as opposed to 21% nationally, 28% visit to keep fit compared to 18% nationally, 19% to improve their health compared to 11%, 17% to play sport or games compared to 11.5% nationally, and 51.7% to get some fresh air compared to 45% nationally. When Green Flag/ other improved parks are compared with other parks and open spaces in the town, the percentage of residents visiting Green Flag and other improved parks to play sports or games is almost double (30%) of that for other areas.

The 2016 residents survey indicated that the three main reasons that they use Rights of Way and access routes are for relaxation (81%), to go walking (71%) and for health and fitness (57%).

24

Overall Summary

 When Green Flag/ other improved parks are compared with other parks and open spaces in the town, the percentage of residents within 10 minutes is lower (about 60%) for those visiting the Green Flag and other improved parks. For users and non-users, young and old, factors that would make a big difference to their use of rights of way are cleaner, more secure paths with better surface condition;  Better transport would make a bigger difference to people without a car and to black and Asian ethnic groups, while more circular routes would make some difference to more people with a car;  More women and people with children in the household say better security would make a big difference;  Cleaner paths would make a big difference to people with children;  More organised events would be would be important to most non-users;  Better accessibility for pushchair wheelchairs and mobility vehicles would encourage around half of those with mobility aids to use paths more, and improved condition of path surface and parking would make a bigger difference to those with mobility aids;  Non-users with a disability would be most likely to be influenced positively by organised events, parking and improved bus links; and  Users and non-users feel there is a lack of information about rights of way: primarily they would like provision of information by leaflets and maps together with articles in Luton Line.

25 Neighbouring Authorities

Under Section 61 of the CRoW Act 2000, all highway authorities preparing a Rights of Way Improvement Plan are required to take into consideration and are under a duty to consult:

(a) each highway authority whose area adjoins their area;

(b) each district council, and each parish council, whose area is within their area;

In addition under Section 83 of the CRoW Act, local highway authorities are reminded of their general duties in exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in an area of outstanding natural beauty, that they must have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area of outstanding natural beauty.

As Luton’s urban area is developed to its authority boundary, the landscape and access of the countryside surrounding Luton is critical to the way that residents can access rights of way, open spaces and the wider natural landscape. Luton Borough has a number of neighbouring authorities:

County / Unitary Level (Highway Authorities)  County Council  Central Bedfordshire Council (Unitary Council, both Highway and Planning)

District Council Level (Planning Authorities)  North Hertfordshire District Council

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty  Chilterns

Both county / unitary authorities have produced current Rights of Way Improvement Plans. Hertfordshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan was adopted in 2011 and runs to March 2016. Central Bedfordshire’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan ‘Your Countryside’ (CBC ROWIP) was adopted in 2013 and runs to 2031.

County / Unitary Level (Highway Authorities)

The Hertfordshire RoWIP: splits its implementation plan across 12 areas across the county, Area 11. Hitchin, Letchworth and North West Herts, is the area which borders Luton. Their countywide plan has 12 Core Actions to deliver its vision:

“To create, by 2026, an accessible and integrated off-road network for non- motorised users based on rights of way and other routes that meets the current and perceived future needs and demands of Hertfordshire’s residents and visitors”

There is very little specific reference to Luton or the regionally significant ‘Lea Valley Walk’, but the principles of the plan are set by guidance, so there is

26 opportunity to work with Hertfordshire to develop cross boundary connections in their plan refresh, which is currently being developed.

Within the current plan, the main action which shows opportunities joint working is Core Action 2: Develop the Rights of Way network from significant passenger transport connections.

 Promote routes through leaflets and information boards at railway stations in Hertfordshire and on lines serving Herts. i.e. North London, Luton, Cambridge.

The Central Bedfordshire RoWIP: was developed jointly with the Central Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Local Access Forum and is split into 5 themes of work to deliver its vision to:

 Provide access to a range of high quality green spaces and the wider countryside through a well-managed Rights of Way network;  Involve local communities in the management of the countryside;  Raise public confidence and understanding of countryside access;  Provide improved biodiversity and heritage management, integrated with public access; and  Increase use and enjoyment of the Central Bedfordshire countryside for fresh air, relaxation, recreation, health and exercise.

Although Luton is rarely specifically mentioned, there are a number of links, with specific references to the delivery of Green Infrastructure (GI) plans, including the Luton and Southern Bedfordshire GI Plan.

Theme 2 ‘Breathing Spaces’, references the Chalk Arc area (a GI Consortium Initiative managed and delivered by Luton BC and Bedfordshire CC between 2004 and 2008 to enhance community connection with the Chilterns AONB where it bounds Luton) and the need to work with partners to steer the development and delivery of Landscape and Access Master Plans.

Theme 3 ‘Local Spaces’, references the importance of the Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Local Access Forum.

Theme 5 ‘Growing Spaces’ is a specific chapter that recognises that significant housing and employment growth will affect the area and the importance of working in partnership to ensure that green infrastructure and related access is a key consideration and is developed and enhanced to optimise benefits of this Challenge.

Within the Action Plan under Growing Spaces, Aim 13 - the quantity and quality of the rights of way and green spaces meet the needs of the current and future communities – provides a clear link and recognition of the impact of urban growth.

27 District Council Level (Planning Authorities)

Central Bedfordshire Council – has been working to a draft Development Strategy that was withdrawn in October 2015 as a result of the Inspector’s concerns about inadequacy of the Council’s “Duty to Co-operate” in preparing its Plan. Work on a new Local Plan began immediately, and there is significant opportunity to engage in this new plan.

Within the withdrawn Development Strategy, significant urban extensions to the north and north-west of Luton were proposed, which already have agreed Framework Plans for new homes and related commercial and amenity land:

 Houghton Regis North, a development of 7000 homes. Phase 1 has already been given planning permission and a planning application has been submitted for the second phasef.  Land North of Luton, a proposed development of 3200 properties. No planning applicationhas been submitted to date.

North Hertfordshire District Council – consulted on its draft Local Plan between December 2014 and February 2015. Included within this draft Plan was a proposal for a new housing development of 2100 properties within the Hertfordshire greenbelt around Cockernhoe and Wandon End, bordering the east of Luton.

Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - is one of 46 areas defined for their significant landscape across Britain. The AONB borders Luton on two boundaries, to the west including Blows and Dallow Downs and to the North East, including Sundon Hills, Warden and Galley Hills and the area north of Lilley.

28 A Parliamentary Order established the Chilterns Conservation Board in 2004. It is one of the first two Conservation Boards (the other is for the Cotswolds) set up under the CRoW Act 2000 which enabled the establishment of independent statutory bodies to manage AONBs.

The most recent ‘Chilterns Management Plan’ 2014–2019, continues its operational theme of Promoting ‘Understanding and Enjoyment’, with specific policies that endorse the role of the Rights of Way network and encourage sustainable access to the AONB from its neighbouring communities.

There are 20 Policies within the Understanding and Enjoyment section, the most directly relevant are:

 UE1 The management of countryside suitable for recreation should be promoted and supported whilst conserving its environmental quality;  UE2 There should be a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of countryside access and services across the Chilterns;  UE3 The use of public rights of way should be promoted and routes improved by covering gaps in the network;  UE4 People should be encouraged to make the most of the countryside on their doorstep;  UE5 Access links between town and country for walkers, cyclists and other recreational users should be strengthened; and  UE8 The accessibility of the countryside for all users should be enhanced and, in particular, special needs should be addressed, whilst taking care to conserve environmental character.

Opportunities should be taken to ensure that this strategy supports and enables the delivery of the Chilterns ANOB management Plan.

Other Key External Influences The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) is operated jointly by the private and public sectors in the area, to promote the South East Midlands as a prime growth location for business, investors and visitors, creating the right environment for businesses and social enterprises to grow. It focuses on private sector growth and inward investment. In March 2014 SEMLEP submitted their Strategic Economic Plan to government, receiving over £79million to invest in this area from 2015/16 as part of a Local Growth Deal.

SEMLEP produced ‘It’s the Economy Naturally’, a document that establishes the role of ‘natural capital’ in underpinning all other types of sustainable capital and is the foundation on which our economy, society and prosperity is built.

29 Action Plan

A key conclusion of the review of the first RoWIP was that the five themes of that Plan were still of relevance to this second edition:

Theme 1 A better signed, maintained and accessible network for the whole community

Theme 2 Improved promotion of Rights of Way and Access Routes

Theme 3 Improving Health and Wellbeing

Theme 4 Promoting Confidence, Safety and Security

Theme 5 Updating the Definitive Map, Influencing Planning and Growth

The response to the 2016 Residents Questionnaire supported these five themes, with only about 5% of respondents considering that improved promotion or safety/security of rights of way were fairly or very unimportant. The remainder of this chapter includes a short dialogue relating to, together with a table summarising the key actions of relevance to, each of these themes. It also lists the linkage to other strategies/policies relating to that action, and specifies any local interventions that are planned along with indicative dates. Finally the table also identifies the team that will lead on each action and relevant internal and external partners that may need to be involved.

Under each of these themes, one action in bold type represents a “Flagship Project” that many of the other actions in that theme are reliant upon, and will form a baseline for that theme. Many of these actions will be progressed over the next five years and, in some cases, throughout the life of this plan. We will be seeking to update the action plan after the first five years in order to and refresh and update the action plan.

The penultimate column of each table gives an indication of the resources required which can be summarised as follows: £ = deliverable within existing resources at little or no extra cost ££ = deliverable within existing resources with additional LBC cost implications and some support of external partners £££ = Only deliverable with extensive support of partners and/or requiring external funding Opportunities will be taken to deliver these interventions by capitalising on existing and emerging funding streams and working with a range of partners.

30 Theme 1 - A better signed, maintained and accessible network for the whole community

The Council has a Statutory Duty to remove unlawful obstructions/authorise lawful obstruction on Rights of Way, to erect signposts at their junctions with the public highway/way-mark along the route, and manage the surface of the Right of Way to a standard suitable for its main user. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69304/pb13553-rowcircular1-09-091103.pdf

For our public rights of way network to be safeguarded, easier to find and open to a wider range of users, it is important that the standard and level of signing and maintenance is improved. Such measures are consistent with policies in the Chilterns Conservation Board management plan to improve access and recreation in the AONB; in order to establish a more useable network of routes it is important that Luton’s designated highway footpaths and paths through parks are treated in the same way.

To this end works will be carried out to ensure that Luton’s network is brought up to and maintained at a higher standard. Signs and information will be improved to indicate where the routes are, where they go and their ease of use. Signage along rights of way will be based on the national colour codes. Indeed responses to the 2016 Residents Questionnaire identified better maintenance (including vegetation clearance) and improved signage as one of the top three priorities for improving Rights of Way and access routes.

One particular example promoted is the Upper Lea Valley walk (www.letsgo.org.uk) where we have improved signing. The rights of way network is subject to an annual regime of inspection and routine maintenance. To work along-side this, the Council’s website has a ‘Do-it-online’ section for reporting concerns about the condition of their neighbourhood, including matters such as fly-tipping, vandalism, access problems, obstruction and general maintenance needs. The Liveability project ‘Parks, Plazas and Promenades’ encouraged community involvement in parks and as a result there are a number of ‘Friends of the Parks’ groups that report problems to the Parks service as they arise and actively participate in seeking improvements for their local park.

Inclusion is a key issue in improving the network as certain groups are currently under-represented amongst users. Discussions will be held with BME groups, the elderly, people with disabilities, schools and parents to help improve the suitability of sections of the network for those of all ages and abilities so that they can use the routes confidently and safely, and particularly to improve access to the town centre and local facilities. In order to maximise accessibility to the network, the Council will continue to apply a policy of least restrictive access. However we recognise that in applying such a policy it could make it would not prevent trail bike riders (see Theme 4) gaining access to these routes.

31

No. Action Strategic / Team/ Owner 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Mid Term Indicative Who will Local linkage 2021-31 resources need to be involved 1a) Develop (in 2016) & implement a RoWIP Highways & ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Friends of maintenance management Transport Parks & specification for the upkeep of RoWIP Strategy Green Rights of Way and linear Access maintenance Space, JLAF, Routes, with all new paths meeting specification Cycle Forum, or exceeding this specification. This Sustrans will encourage greater accessibility for all, by ensuring signs/way- marking meets minimum requirements and by applying a least restrictive access policy.

Specification and related policies will promote accessibility and take into account the nature and use of the environment that different paths pass through, ensuring that each path is fit for purpose. Paths are to be annually surveyed against this specification, with required works programmed. 1b) Work with Neighbourhood areas to Walking & Highways & ✓ ✓ £ Area Boards, review the existing Rights of Way cycling Plan, Transport Friends of network and Access Routes. Seek to ROWIP Strategy Parks & identify connectivity issues and gaps Green that hinder access, in and around Space, JLAF, Luton. Develop proposals and seek to Cycle Forum, create new routes and enhance existing Sustrans routes (including “Quiet routes” for access to school and other destinations) to create a well-connected and accessible network. 1c) Develop (in 2016) & implement a Walking & Highways & ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Parks, destination signage scheme, signing cycling Plan, Transport Natural Rights of Way and Access Routes with RoWIP, Strategy Environment, destination and distance information Greenspace Public Health with clear and consistent waymarkers Strategy that are in keeping with the

32 No. Action Strategic / Team/ Owner 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Mid Term Indicative Who will Local linkage 2021-31 resources need to be involved environment and avoid signage ‘clutter’. 1d) Improve routes for pedestrians and Walking & Highways & ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Parks, cyclists including ‘quiet routes’ to the cycling Plan, Transport Natural town/district centres, parks, schools RoWIP, Strategy Environment, and other key travel attractors such as Greenspace Public Health transport interchanges, with particular Strategy consideration of the accessibility needs of mobility impaired people. 1e) Undertake a safety review of crossing RoWIP Highways & ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Sustrans facilities, where Rights of Way and Transport Access Routes cross roads (to be Strategy phased through neighbourhood areas). Where needed, programme improvements and deliver. 1f) To review the need for and the RoWIP Highways & ✓ ✓ ✓ £ Area Boards, effectiveness of gates, stiles and other Transport Friends of barriers on existing routes to see if they Strategy Parks & can be removed, and to avoid the use Green of these on new routes, wherever Space, JLAF, practicable. Cycle Forum

33 Theme 2 - Improved promotion of Rights of Way and Access Routes

With the better signed, maintained and accessible network set out under Theme 1, it is important that the promotion of the network is also improved to gain the full benefit of the work carried out.

Accordingly, the network, along with parks and areas of public open space, will be widely promoted so all sectors of society are well informed about the opportunities available and know where they can go for further information. Information and promotion material will be available at certain bus stops, all three railway stations, public buildings, libraries, museums, and health centres and doctor’s surgeries. The response to the 2016 Residents Questionnaire indicated that promotional materials in libraries and community centres, together with notice boards in parks and green spaces were likely to be most effective. Respondents also mentioned the use of websites such as the Councils website and Travel Luton in promoting the use of Rights of Way and Access Routes, including the importance of keeping information up to date.

There will be promotion with bus and train operators, including maps and leaflets covering selected routes plus associated ticketing.

The Borough Council produces a map of walking and cycle routes in the town and surrounding area, containing information on public rights of way providing access to the countryside as well as other paths within the town. This map also includes information about open access land and the sections of long distance paths within the area, together with connections across the borough boundary. It will also include information about the Countryside Code and contact details of local user groups.

Promotion of routes providing links into the surrounding countryside, including using trains and buses, can also benefit the local economy by bringing customers to village pubs, shops and other facilities. This will be encouraged as ‘days out’ in association with local businesses in the countryside. This can also promote access into the town from the surrounding villages.

A number of events take place in parks and open spaces in and around the town. These include nature walks such as a bird watching walk on Warden Hill and blossom and bluebells walk on Dallows Down/Longcroft, together with monthly nature watch meetings for children aged 8-12. These events are publicised in ‘Whats on in the Chilterns’ and special leaflets (available in the town hall, local libraries and community centres), and also in ‘LutonLine’ (the Council’s bi-monthly magazine delivered to local homes).

For people who do not wish to join these formal groups but still want to enjoy the parks and open spaces in and around Luton, the Council will provide maps and interpretation boards in key locations.

34

No. Action Strategic / Local Team/ Owner 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Mid Term Indicative Who will need to be linkage 2021-31 resources involved

2a) Produce a map showing the Rights of Way Local Transport Highways & ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ JLAF, Parks, and key Access Routes throughout Luton, Plan, Transport Natural including details of places of interest and Greenspace Strategy Environment. community facilities, along with parks and Strategy, Green green and open spaces, seeking encourage Infrastructure active travel, physical activity and the Plan related Health Benefits (see theme 3).

Ensure that this map is referred to in the Green Space Strategy and local Green Infrastructure Plan. 2b) Promote and improve public transport Local Transport Parks ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Transport Strategy links to the network of paths, particularly Plan, RoWIP for the most important routes and parks. Seek to develop bus-walking routes that make use of the public transport network – Target 3 routes. 2c) Provide information and interpretation Green Space Parks ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Landscape and boards in parks and County Wildlife Sites. Strategy Ecology. Ensure these boards also show public transport information and local Rights of Way and Access Routes. 2d) Develop new circular routes, which link with Chilterns Parks, Natural ✓ ✓ ££ Chilterns Society. the Chilterns and the surrounding Management Environment Lea Catchment countryside, working with the Chilterns Plan, Partnership Society, the Lea Catchment Partnership Greenspace and neighbouring authorities to develop and Strategy manage these routes. 2e) Promote information about Rights of Way, ROWIP, Parks, Natural ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ parks, engagement (events) and Greenspace Environment volunteering opportunities. Manage Strategy information and updates on Social media, travelluton.co.uk, in Luton Line plus the events section of the Council’s website. E.g. advertise a different circular route or park on a seasonal basis.

35 2f) Require developers to provide new Local Plan Highways ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ £ residents and new employers with travel Transport packs as part of their development travel Strategy, plan, containing information about the local Planning transport network and points of interest including parks and Rights of Way. 2g) Enhance, promote and maintain key routes RoWIP Parks, Natural ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Lea Catchment in the town: Upper Lea Valley (Swan) Walk, Environment Partnership. National Cycle Network Route 6 (NCN6) and the Hat Trail. 2h) Map the accessibility of Luton’s path RoWIP, Parks, Natural ✓ ✓ £ Chilterns Society network, adopting mapping standard used Greenspace Environment by the Chilterns AONB. Seek to promote to Strategy people that would benefit.

36 Theme 3 - Improving Health and Wellbeing

People in Luton will be encouraged to adopt active lifestyles using rights of way and green open spaces to improve their well-being. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle will be promoted in conjunction with rights of way through the medium of health walks, exercise groups, doctor’s advice and organised activities. Luton’s parks cross land of different steepness providing opportunities for moderate and more strenuous exercise.

As an example over the last 8 years we have implemented organised walks in various parts of the town using of rights of way and other paths that requires more promotion.

No. Action Strategic / Team/ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Mid Indicative Who will need to be Local linkage Owner Term resources involved 2021-31 3a) Social Prescribing – Work with pilot Health & Public ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ sites (GP practices to be confirmed) to Well-being Health develop a series of bespoke walking Strategy routes improving access to parks and open spaces in order to improve Healthy outcomes for people with mild to Weight moderate mental health conditions Strategy and their carers, as well as people with COPD, Type 2 diabetes and other Local emerging JSNA priorities. Transport Plan 3b) Support the delivery of ‘Luton Health Health & Public ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Sustrans Walks’ in partnership with Sustrans by Well-being Health Luton Clinical encouraging walk leaders to use Rights Strategy Commissioning of Way, parks and open spaces in the Group (CCG) design of their routes. Healthy Weight Strategy

Local Transport Plan

CCG ‘Better Together’

37 3c) Work with the Bedfordshire Local Nature Healthy Parks, ✓ ££ Local Nature Partnership (LNP) to optimise weight Public Partnership, Natural opportunities to promote the physiologic strategy, Health England, Public and mental health and wellbeing benefits JSNA Health England, of physical activity in the outdoors and chapter Active Luton, JLAF natural environment. Seek funding from Public Health to promote the benefits to health and wellbeing of physical activity by improving access to Luton’s Rights of Way an access to open spaces. Health inequality link wider benefits such as less pollution and stronger communities. 20mph limit could potentially reduce inequalities because people tend to be at most risk of being hurt or killed by cars in the poorer parts of towns and cities. 3d) Link into Sporting Equalities work in Vision for Public ✓ ££ Active Luton Dallow, Biscot and Saints wards where sport and Health there is a lack of sporting facilities to physical promote the use of Rights of Way for activity walking and cycling to access these facilities.

38 Theme 4 - Promoting Confidence, Safety and Security

Concern about personal security and safety was identified as one of the main reasons why young people and adults do not use the public rights of way network. Safety concerns can arise on account of conflicts between different types of users, for example cyclists and pedestrians on the same path, poor lighting and fear of crime. Such issues have been repeatedly mentioned in other surveys The Council recognises the nuisance problems associated with off-road motorcycling activity, both in Luton and the surrounding areas, can lead to concerns about personal security when using some Rights of Way or Access routes; in this context the response to the 2016 Residents Questionnaire indicated concern over “shared use”. Bedfordshire Police’s ‘Operation Meteor’ has been set up to address these concerns and residents are encouraged to share information about such activity by emailing [email protected]. We would also encourage the Police to work with responsible user groups, in particular the Trail Riders Fellowship, as part of a multi-agency approach to addressing this problem.

The Council has, and will continue to, introduce community safety and other initiatives to give local communities around the town the opportunity to benefit from measures to improve the local environment and reduce the concerns of local residents about crime and safety.

No. Action Strategic/ Team/ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Mid Indicative Who will Local Owner Term resources need to be linkage 2021-31 involved 4a) Ensure that encroaching vegetation is Highway Parks ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ trimmed on a regular basis, particularly maintenance on routes to schools, parks and public Plan open spaces, in order to maintain good sightlines. RoWIP maintenance Ensure the appropriate management of specification hedges and vegetation, identified in the condition survey are included in Park and Wildlife Site Management Plans and Stewardship Agreements. 4b) Ensure a code of conduct is promoted with RoWIP Parks, ✓ ££ Friends of users and using an appropriate medium, Highways Parks & education in schools and, where & Green appropriate, in parks and other open Transport Space, spaces. (Alternatives may be needed in Strategy JLAF, Cycle areas of County Wildlife Sites or Heritage Forum, Parks). Sustrans

39 4c) Encourage community group activities RoWIP Parks ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ £ within Luton’s parks, open spaces and path network to encourage familiarisation and personal confidence, but also to develop a sense of ownership and respect for these spaces. 4d) Work with Community Safety at Luton RoWIP Parks ✓ ✓ £ Bedfordshire Borough Council to coordinate Police, Trail improvements associated with resolving Riders anti-social behaviour on paths and in open Fellowship spaces.

Encourage the use of paths and keep them in good repair to avoid anti-social behaviour that could result in gating orders and closure. 4e) Encourage walking, cycling and scooting to Sustainable Highways ✓ ✓ £ school and other sustainable travel options. Travel to & Work with schools to provide safe and school Transport healthy access routes to school and strategy, Strategy activities for children on rights of ways and Road Safety in open spaces. Plan, A&E admissions

40 Theme 5 - Updating the Definitive Map, Influencing Planning and Growth

The Definitive Map is the necessary baseline from which public rights of way are managed and promoted. A key priority to the whole of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan will be to update and review the existing Definitive Map. This most important task is likely to be a complex exercise. Natural England has published a document that explains the status of the Definitive Map and the legal process for making any changes or updates to it.

Opportunities will also be taken to extend and improve the network by providing additional routes and links between paths to address fragmentation and enhance continuity. The two particular areas where additional links would improve connectivity between the town and the countryside are on the eastern fringes of the town, and between the two byways at Sundon and Chalton on either side of the M1.

An auditing procedure to prevent developments from encroaching on the green infrastructure of Luton and to ensure that rights of way are incorporated into development proposals is part of the process of determining planning applications in accordance with policies contained in the Luton Local Plan.

Luton has a target of 26,300 new homes and 23,000 new jobs in the period 2011-2031.The preferred strategy option envisages the majority of the new homes will be located on the northern fringe of Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, and to the east of Luton. The main access route connecting Luton to the proposed development north of Houghton Regis is via Sustrans NCN route 6.

Steps have been taken to safeguard green infrastructure and biodiversity through the production of the Luton and South Bedfordshire green space strategy. The Theedway, a trade route from Saxon times, passed east-west through south Bedfordshire. Its influence is still visible today along the northern boundary of Luton. This historic route should be reinstated, and the green space strategy recognises the opportunity that this will provide, combined with existing rights of way to the north of the conurbation, to create circular walks and longer sections accessible to those with mobility aids, horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

However, continual careful management will be necessary to maintain and enhance existing green space and rights of way as the town’s population grows and pressure from development increases, especially around Luton. The Joint Local Access Forum has submitted proposals to Central Bedfordshire Council to improve connectivity between Luton and the surrounding countryside as the development North of Luton is implemented, and the Borough Council supports those proposals.

41 No. Action Strategic/ Team/ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Mid Indicative Who will need to Local Owner Term resources be involved linkage 2021-25 5a) Adopt and implement a RoWIP Highways ✓ ✓ ££ Chilterns Society. Strategy for the Development & Friends of Parks and Management of Luton’s Transport & Green Space. Definitive Map and Statement, Strategy and to resolve and remove Luton’s Excluded Area. 5b) Publish a Definitive Map and RoWIP Highways ✓ ✓ ££ Statement based on the current & situation, including an online Transport version of the Definitive Map on Strategy the LBC website 5c) Seek to dedicate Public Rights of RoWIP Highways ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Parks, Natural Way network, which crosses & Upper Environment LBC land, in particular in parks Transport Lea and open spaces. Strategy Valley 5d) Develop a maintenance RoWIP Highways ✓ £ programme and schedule for & future updates and Transport consolidations of the Definitive Strategy Map and Statement 5e) Review planning applications for LBC Local Highways ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Power £££ Developers. opportunities to extend and Plan & NNapier Napier Century Century Court North Herts develop the Rights of Way and Transport a Park Park Park Park District Council. Access networks and ensure Strategy p Central Beds that parks and green Planning i Council. infrastructure include facilities, e which make them attractive r destinations with connections to these networks thereby P encouraging use. a r Continue to seek funding from k planning agreements and other external sources to make these improvements.

42 5f) Influence and shape the LBC Local Highways ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Luton. £££ Developers development of the growth areas Plan, & Ho’ton. Ho’ton. Ho’ton. Ho’ton. Ho’ton. North and urban extensions around Greenspa Transport Regis Regis Regis Regis Regis Luton, seeking opportunities to ce Strategy North North North North North extend and develop cycleways, Strategy, paths and green corridors that ROWIP connect and add value to the existing networks within Luton. This will ensure new developments are accessible by walking, cycling and/or public transport, and key facilities (e.g. primary schools) are within walking distance.

5g) Protect the existing Rights of Greenspa Highways, ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ £ Way network, particularly those ce Transport with local historical context; Strategy / Strategy including the River Lea, RoWIP Theedway, John Bunyan trail, Icknield Way and the Chiltern Way. 5h) Examine opportunities for LTP / Highways, ✓ £ JLAF upgrading some Rights of Way Greenspa Transport from footpaths to bridleways and ce Strategy highway footpaths to shared Strategy / walking and cycling use to RoWIP increase provision of routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. 5i) Increase the number of shared Local Highways, ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ££ Friends of Parks use paths for walkers and Transport Transport & Green space cyclists as part of the highways Plan, Strategy network and where appropriate, RoWIP through parks to improve continuity of routes for cyclists, whilst addressing the safety of walkers.

43 Delivery Plan

An Annual Delivery Plan will be developed as part of a rolling programme, linked with the existing 5 year rolling programme of Integrated Transport and Maintenance grants from Government that are reported to Executive each February or March. The Delivery Plan will not prioritise projects based on cost alone but will also take into account their health, environmental, social and economic benefits. Adopting such an approach will assist in helping those areas that suffer from other types of deprivation and have no or limited access to green space in the immediate locality.

Throughout the life of this plan, opportunities will be taken to deliver these interventions by capitalising on existing and emerging funding streams and working with a range of partners. A good example of this will be the funding opportunities that arise from the Governments requirement for Highway Authorities to produce a Cycling & Walking Plans.

This delivery plan will continue to be steered by a joint officers group, led by Strategic Transport, including Council officers with an interest in Parks, Public Health, the Natural Environment Team and Sustainable Travel but will involve liaison with key local stakeholders, in particular the Chilterns Society and Luton’s Friends of Parks and Green Spaces.

Key Stakeholders will continue to be involved in shaping the delivery plan and reviewing its effectiveness, including

 LBC Area Boards  Central Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Local Access Forum and Hertfordshire Local Access Forum  Luton’s Friends of Parks and Greenspace  Sustrans  Luton & South Bedfordshire Cycle Forum  Other local walking and cycling groups

It is expected that in 2021 a review of key drivers will be undertaken to refresh and refocus the Action Plan.

43 Appendix 1 – Parks, Green spaces & County Wildlife Sites in Luton

The 1992 Nature Conservation Strategy for Luton is currently under review.

There are currently no examples of Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Ramsar Sites or other internationally protected sites within the borough. Similarly, there are currently no Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) within Luton.

However, Natural England have recently indicated a desire to review SSSIs associated with the Bedfordshire chalk, and surveys of Bradger's Hill (2003 & 2012), Dallow Downs (2003 & 2012) and Cowslip Meadow (2012) have all indicated these sites follow in due course. SSSIs can be regarded as the 1st tier of UK biodiversity site designations.

County Wildlife Sites (CWS – see Glossary) represent the principal components of the ecological network in the borough, (formerly known as ‘Prime Sites of Nature Conservation Interest’) and they were reviewed in 2012 by the independent panel applying DEFRA criteria and guidelines. An additional CWS was recognised at the land tenanted by the Sunshine Riding Stables. Recognition as a CWS does not confer statutory protection of the site, nor any right of access. The 25 CWSs in Luton can be regarded as the 2nd tier of UK biodiversity site designations:

1. Biscot Churchyard (Holy Trinity, Trinity Road) 2. Castle Croft and Bluebell Wood (includes meadows off Roebuck Close) 3. Bradgers Hill (includes parts of Stopsley Common, the old Hexton Highway and parts of the former Nail's Hill Common in Park). 4. Bramingham Wood (includes Bramingham Long Field) 5. The Chase (also known as Mixes Hill Wood) 6. Church Cemetery ( Road) 7. Cowslip Meadow 8. Croda Colloids (New Bedford Road) 9. Dallow Downs (includes Runley Downs & Wood and Winsdon Hill) 10. Honeygate and Crick Hills 11. Leagrave Common (includes Whitefield Spinney and Castle Way (Spinney Wood) and Wauluds Bank) 12. Fallowfield 13. Oaket Wood (part lies in Hertfordshire) 14. Oosey Hill (part lies in Central Bedfordshire) 15. People's Park 16. River Lea (includes headstreams and tributaries and sections of adjoining open spaces) 17. Riverside Walk (Riverside Park) 18. Slaughters Wood and Green Lane (also known as Haverings). 19. Stockwood Park (part) 20. Stony Hill (also known as Icknield School) 21. Wigmore Park 22. Wandon End Park 23. Winch Hill Wood (part lies in Hertfordshire) 24. Sunshine Riding Stables

44 District Wildlife Sites (DWS) are a third tier designation which replace ‘other sites of nature conservation Interest’ and are designated via the ‘Local Sites Partnership’ using criteria on the BRMC website (see Glossary). There are 14 DWS in the Borough:

1. Dairyborn Scarp (former CWS also known as Spittlesea Hill) 2. Dallow Lane 3. Foxdell 4. Great Bramingham Park 5. Great Hayes Wood 6. Hatters Way 7. Hay Wood & Stopsley Common 8. Hitchin Road Spinney 9. Lewsey Park 10. Luton Parkway Verges 11. Mixes Hill 12. River Lea 13. Stockingstone Hill (sometimes known as Cowridge End) 14. Stockwood Park (part)

The following comprise District Parks (as identified in the Luton Local Plan):

1. Leagrave Park 2. Lewsey Park 3. Stopsley Common 4. Stockwood District Park 5. Wardown Park 6. Wigmore Valley

The following comprise the Neighbourhood Parks (as identified in the Luton Local Plan).

7. Addington Way Sports Field 8. Aschroft Road 9. Birdsfoot Lane 10. Blundell Road Rec 11. Brantwood Neighbourhood Park 12. Buckingham Tip 13. Chaul End Lane Neighbourhood Park 14. Crawley Green Rec 15. Crawley Green Road/Colwell Rise/Linbridge Way 16. Dallow Downs 17. Foxdell Neighbourhood Park 18. Great Bramingham Park 19. Mayne Avenue (1) 20. Mayne Avenue (2) 21. Icknield Recreation Ground 22. Kingsway Rec Neighbourhood Park 23. Lancaster Avenue 24. Lea Manor Recreation Ground Northwell Drive/Whitehorse Vale 25. Lewsey Green/Regis Rec 26. Little Bramingham Park 27. Manor Road Neighbourhood Park 28. Memorial Neighbourhood Park 29. Peoples Park 30. Powdrill's Field Neighbourhood Park

45 31. Freeman's Green Marsh Farm 32. The Moor 33. Wandon Close 34. Whitefield

Luton Landscape Character Assessments (LCA), drafted in 2014 as evidence for a ‘Proposed Landscape Designations for Luton’ study (Greensand Trust and Local Landscape Working Group) provide evidence for a 2 tier designation of areas of local landscape importance. Tier 1 is Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and Tier 2 Areas of Local Landscape Value (ALLV) as identified on the Policies Map. These are as follows:-

AGLV Stopsley Common Dallow Corridor (includes Bluebell Wood) Stockwood Park Bradger's Hill Corridor (includes Popes Meadow and Bell’s Close) Bramingham Wood Corridor Great Bramingham Park

ALLV Hart Hill Someries Farm & Dane Street Farm Turnpike Drive Lower Lea Valley Lewsey Park Wigmore Rural Upper Lea Valley Putteridge Edge

46 Glossary

Abbreviation/term Meaning

Area of Outstanding Natural An area with a statutory national landscape designation, the primary purpose of which is to conserve Beauty-AONB and enhance natural beauty. Together with National Parks, AONBs represent the nation’s finest landscapes (Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000). AONBs are designated by Natural England. Luton lies within the northern end of the Chilterns AONB, which was designated in 1965. Whilst little of the designated area lies within the borough boundary, it needs to be recognised that development within the town can have an impact on the AONB beyond. Area of Great Landscape Value This was a previous local policy designation to conserve the natural beauty of locally recognised (AGLV) landscapes of importance considered to be of similar landscape quality (but of less weight to AONBs) or having a specific local character. However, AGLV policy was abolished with Structure Plans by the government, and local authorities must undertake Landscape Character Assessments in order to designate and protect areas of 'local landscape importance' (see LLI). Former AGLV designations existed on attractive and rare chalk downland at Dallow Downs and the escarpment near Bradgers Hill. Two areas between the borough boundary and the southern edge of London were similarly designated as part of a larger locally important landscape area extending south into Hertfordshire along the Lea Valley. Bedfordshire and Luton Green A multi-functional partnership of local authorities, government agencies and countryside and Infrastructure Consortium community based organisations responsible for defining a strategic vision for access to open space and recreation in the area.

Biodiversity Action Plan The variety and range of plant and animal life, encompassing genetics, species and ecosystems. (BAP)

Byway Open to All Traffic- A path over which right of way is on foot, horseback or bicycle or by wheeled-vehicles of all kinds. (BOAT)

BME Black and Minority Ethnic groups of people.

43 Abbreviation/term Meaning

Bridleway A path over which the right of way is on foot, on a horse, donkey or mule or on a bicycle. Cyclists must give way to walkers and riders.

Chalk Arc One of 11 corridors making up Luton’s green infrastructure network. Extends around the North of Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, an area which is likely to host major housing growth.

Citizens’ Panel A pre-selected random sample of residents, representative of the population of Luton, which the Council seeks views on various matters.

Conservation Area An area of special architectural or historic interest, including groups of buildings, and which needs its character or appearance to be protected, preserved or enhanced.

County Wildlife Site (CWS) Areas of land that are important for their wildlife. They are locally designated following assessment of the quality and value of potential sites by a panel of specialists according to criteria from Natural England and DEFRA. Definitive Map and Statement A legal map that records legal routes with public access, the statement describes each right of way in detail.

Department for Environment, Government department who produced the RoWIP guidance (responsibility for rights of way now lies Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with Natural England)

Luton Disability Advisory and A partnership of Luton Borough Council and groups representing the interests of disabled users and Access Forum-DAAF elderly people, to ensure that the implementation of strategies/initiatives and design of schemes takes account of their needs.

Green Flag The national quality award for standards of improvement of parks.

Joint Local Access Forum Advisory body regarding the improvement of public access to land in Luton and Bedfordshire for the (JLAF) purposes of open air recreation and enjoyment with regard to land management, conservation and natural beauty.

44 Abbreviation/term Meaning

Local Development Framework A plan that outlines site-specific allocations for the future development of an area, based on regional targets for growth in jobs and homes, taking account of local environmental and other constraints.

Local Plan The plan produced by the local planning authority under the current Localism Act (and Plan making regulations) which can comprise of a document with a key diagram, policies map and a list of policies with supporting text setting out how much, when and where development will take place e.g. housing, employment, infrastructure such as transport and delivery of strategic allocations of land for such purposes Local Transport Plan A plan published every 5 years setting out the strategic transport objectives for the area, and the transport schemes/ initiatives to be delivered during the plan period.

National Cycle Network-(NCN) A network of over 8000 miles of signed cycle routes across the UK managed by Sustrans.

National Planning Policy The government has set out its key planning principles and policies in a national framework to guide Framework preparation of Local Plans and development management decisions. Open access land Public access rights, created under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, to undertake recreational activities on foot on land managed, for example, by the National Trust, Forestry Commission and Woodland Trust.

Permissive Paths Paths and tracks over which a landowner may permit access but which are not public rights of way.

Promoted routes A series of connecting rights of way forming a route that has been advertised or signed to encourage use. They may have a theme and an associated leaflet or label on maps eg Upper Lea Valley Walk.

Regional routes A promoted route that can require a day or more to complete, often arranged around a theme such as a range of hills or river e.g. Chiltern Way, Icknield Way.

Rights of Way-(RoW) The network of public footpaths, bridleways and byways as defined by the Definitive Map.

Rights of Way Improvement Document to assess and identify improvements to be made to rights of way (required from each Plan (RoWIP) Highway Authority by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000).

45 Abbreviation/term Meaning

Socio-economic characteristics Population characteristics such as sex, age, employment status, ethnicity, disability.

Stakeholder Organisations and individuals with a strong interest/link with rights of way in Luton.

Stewardship agreement Part of the environmental stewardship scheme, an agri-environment grant scheme.

Sites of Special These are statutorily protected sites which comprise the country's best wildlife and geological sites Scientific Interest (SSSI) Sustrans A National charity encouraging sustainable forms of transport. Manages the National Cycle Network and has a representative in Luton.

Voluntary Action Luton A partnership representing the interests of voluntary groups in Luton, to ensure that the implementation of strategies and initiatives takes account of their needs.

46