Open Spaces Strategy 2008 - 2013 1
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CASTLE POINT open spaces strategy 2008 - 2013 1 CASTLE POINT OPEN SPACES STRATEGY 2008 - 2013 foreword Foreword The aim of the Open Spaces Strategy is to assess and analyse the quantity and quality of the existing open spaces within the Borough of Castle Point, to consider their varied functions and significance for the Borough and to consider them in the wider sense of the Council’s corporate objectives. The Strategy sets out the vision for what the Council would like to achieve in terms of aims, objectives and broad policies for the Open Spaces within the Borough. This is based on an understanding of the supply, distribution, quality and level of use of the Open Spaces available, combined with the needs of the local communities within Castle Point. A key component of the Strategy is the Action Plan, which provides a focus for the implementation of the Strategy. Methods for monitoring and review of the process have been developed to measure the progress and delivery of the aims of the Strategy. CASTLE POINT OPEN SPACES STRATEGY 2008 - 2013 contents 1. Introduction 5 1.1 Introduction to the open spaces 5 strategy 1.2 The importance of open spaces 5 1.3 Castle Point Borough Council 6 vision for open spaces 2. Priorities for the strategy 8 2.1 The priorities 8 2.2 Addressing the priorities 9 3. Policies and proposals 13 3.1 Provision by open space type 13 3.1.1 Country Parks 14 3.1.2 Urban parks and gardens 17 3.1.3 Natural and semi-natural areas 19 3.1.4 Green corridors 22 3.1.5 Outdoor sports facilities 25 3.1.6 Amenity Green Spaces 29 3.1.7 Provision for young people and 33 children 3.1.8 Allotments and community 38 gardens 3.1.9 Churchyards and cemeteries 42 3.1.10 Thames Estuary and waterfront 45 4. Delivery of the strategy 48 4.1 The Action Plan 48 4.2 Further Work/Research Required 72 4.3 Resources 75 4.4 Timescales 76 4.5 Monitoring and Review 76 A. Appendix 1 78 A.1 Appendix 1 Part 1 78 A.2 Appendix 1 Part 2 78 CASTLE POINT OPEN SPACES STRATEGY 2008 - 2013 1 introduction 5 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction to the open spaces strategy This strategy has been developed because it is one of the key objectives in the Council’s Corporate Plan and it forms one of the delivery plans of the Recreation Framework. It aims to meet longer term objectives of providing the residents of Castle Point with a cleaner, greener environment and therefore to increase residents’ levels of satisfaction with open spaces in the Borough. This strategy addresses the challenges set out in the Castle Point Sustainable Community Strategy, particularly Ambition 2 “making our environment cleaner and greener”. This document has been put together using the results of public consultation, specialist advice, the guidance from related policy and the aims and objectives of the Council. The strategy sets out key actions for the open spaces in the Borough and an overall Action Plan has been developed for which the Council has the responsibility of delivery. The delivery of the actions will address the issues and priorities that were highlighted in the Recreation Framework. 1.2 The importance of open spaces In the survey carried out for the Castle Point Sustainable Community Strategy 86% of residents agreed that making Castle Point a pleasant, clean and green place to live is an important priority for the Borough. It is clear that open spaces are important to residents and this ties in with national studies which show that good quality facilities for sport and recreation have a significant effect on the quality of life for local residents. Good quality open spaces also increase residents’ sense of pride regarding the local area and improved recreational opportunities can help to reduce levels of anti-social behaviour. Open spaces provide an informal element to recreation in Castle Point, enabling residents and visitors to undertake activities such as walking and cycling. There are also many spaces that are used for more structured sporting activities, such as pitches for football and grounds for sports like cricket. An important aspect of open spaces is that there are many areas in the Borough that have been set aside for fixed play areas for children. Play is an important issue within Castle Point and the future delivery for playgrounds in the Borough has been set out in the Castle Point Play Strategy. On a more strategic level, good quality open space is important in a number of ways. The importance of open spaces and their contribution to the recreation and physical exercise opportunities for the people of Essex have been recognised in the Essex Local Area Agreement (LAA). The priorities within the Essex LAA have been incorporated into the Castle Point Sustainable Community Strategy, which is a document that was put together by the Castle Point Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). The LSP is a range of organisations that have been brought together in order to work towards making improvements to all aspects of the present and future needs CASTLE POINT OPEN SPACES STRATEGY 2008 - 2013 6 1 introduction of the Borough. The Castle Point Sustainable Community Strategy has identified several key targets for open spaces and physical recreation in the Borough to be met by 2012. These are: At least 75% of residents to be satisfied with parks and open spaces. A Green Flag Award will be achieved for at least one park in the Borough. All parks will be assessed as high quality. Increase satisfaction with play areas in Castle Point, for children and their carers. And to increase the percentage of the adult population participating in at least 30 minutes of sport or active recreation, three times a week from 18.3% to 24% by 2021. In order to achieve these targets the Council will work together with other partners in the LSP. The key partners that the Council envisages working with include Essex County Council, Canvey Island Town Council, Essex Wildlife Trust, Groundwork and Castle Point Wildlife Group. Good quality open space can also help to make the Borough more attractive to businesses, investors and tourists, therefore improving employment opportunities and the economic development of the area. Open space is an important consideration within regeneration plans, since it has a wide ranging influence in terms of: the local economy; health levels of the local community; a reduction in crime and fear of crime; community links; sustainable transport (through cycle paths and walkways); and on levels of biodiversity. Castle Point has been chosen to host the 2012 Olympic Games mountain-bike events. These will take place at Hadleigh Castle Country Park and should bring great benefits to the Borough. It is possible that this event will bring investment and funding for the open spaces in the Borough, in particular at Hadleigh Castle Country Park. It will also raise the profile of the area and raise awareness of the sporting and recreational potential of open spaces in Castle Point, both for residents and for visitors to the area. 1.3 Castle Point Borough Council vision for open spaces The Open Spaces strategy is designed to support the Council’s vision of open spaces in Castle Point, as set out in the Borough’s Local Development Framework Core Strategy: “Castle Point will appear much greener and sustainable, and there will be greater access to recreational opportunities in the natural environment. The Metropolitan Green Belt will continue to separate existing settlements, support an open and attractive green environment, and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, nature conservation, and woodland. A Green Grid structure will link together urban and rural areas, and connect a more diverse pattern of open spaces. Formal space will have good quality, well designed and distinctive furniture and playgrounds. The natural environment will be well managed and support a range of biodiversity. SSSIs and wildlife sites will be in a favourable condition and other sites including Canvey Heights, Canvey Lake, Canvey Marshes and the Seafront will play an enhanced role in the habitat mosaic of the Borough” CASTLE POINT OPEN SPACES STRATEGY 2008 - 2013 1 introduction 7 This leads on to an overarching vision for the Open Spaces Strategy for Castle Point: Our vision is well managed, easily accessible and high quality open space that provides for the needs of the entire community. CASTLE POINT OPEN SPACES STRATEGY 2008 - 2013 8 2 priorities for the strategy 2 Priorities for the strategy 2.1 The priorities An Open Space Appraisal was carried out between July 2005 and February 2006 to identify local needs and audit local provision of open space in Castle Point, as well as to set provision standards for this strategy. Key objectives for the open spaces in the Borough were identified as part of the study and a public consultation was also carried out so that the views of the community were taken into account. The key objectives and information from the consultation were used to identify a number of priorities for the improvement of open spaces in the Borough. Policies within the strategy will be based on these and focus on: 1. Adopting sustainable practises - in terms of site construction and management and regarding modes of transport. 2. Improving accessibility - physical accessibility to and within sites. - intellectual accessibility, increasing awareness and access to information regarding Open Spaces. 3. Improving connectivity between Open Spaces - increasing provision in terms of public transport links, Public Rights of Way and signage. 4. Improving biodiversity - incorporating local standards for natural and semi-natural areas within developments.