Contents Page

Executive summary 2

1. Why is open space important? 3

2. What is the purpose of this report? 4

3. What are the Council’s existing open space policies? 5

4. The audit and assessment of existing provision 7

5. Applying the Borough-wide standards 9

6. How do we address deficiencies in open space provision? 18

7. Protection of existing open space 20

8. Action points to progress open space 21

References 23

Appendices

Appendix 1 Definition of open space types 24

Appendix 2 Recommended Quantity Provision Standards 25 for Tamworth Borough

Appendix 3 Recommended Accessibility Standards for Tamworth Borough 26

Appendix 4 Recommended Quality Vision for Tamworth Borough 27

Appendix 5 Summary of outcomes of audit and assessment 28 by open space type

Appendix 6 Map of neighbourhoods 30

Appendix 7 Neighbourhood Summaries 31

1 Executive Summary

The Council values open spaces as places that can make a major positive contribution to people’s lives. It is important that provision in the Borough is high quality, attractive, accessible and well managed and maintained.

The purpose of this document is to set out a position statement on open space to enable a better understanding of the nature, location and level of local provision of open space throughout Tamworth. This establishes a framework for improving existing open space and providing new open space in the future.

The Council’s existing open space policies are contained in the adopted Tamworth Local Plan 2001-2011. These policies aim to protect and enhance the open space network and ensure that new open space is delivered through new residential development. The standard for new provision is set at the old National Playing Fields Association standard, which is out of date and does not reflect local circumstances. An audit and assessment of open space was undertaken in line with Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 ‘Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation’ and this made recommendations for local quantity and access standards for the Borough. The appropriate place for new standards to come forward is through the local development framework.

Applying the quantity standards to local neighbourhoods and reviewing the types and quantity of existing open space in each neighbourhood provides an indication of deficiencies and surpluses and therefore what needs to be provided. The majority of neighbourhoods contain a range of types of open space with amenity green space and outdoor sport and recreation facilities being the most widespread. Allotments and parks and gardens are the least common. None of the neighbourhoods meet the full borough standard in all types and most are deficient in three or more types. The most deficient neighbourhoods are generally located on the eastern side of the Borough.

The overall deficiency in open space is compounded by a shortage of sites to create additional open space. Consequently, it should be accepted that it is not going to be possible to achieve the borough wide standards in most of the neighbourhoods. It is important to protect existing open space from loss to non-open space and recreation uses as far as possible and concentrate resources on improving existing open spaces through provision of additional facilities, including better access for people with disabilities, landscaping and higher standards of maintenance.

This position statement will lead to additional open space work, some of which will be concerned with policy, such as an overall green space strategy and the adoption of local standards. There is also a need to address detailed matters of how open spaces are managed and gathering additional evidence to support the local development framework.

2 1.0 Why is open space important?

1.1 One of the Borough Council’s corporate objectives is that Tamworth should ‘be a cleaner, greener and more floral town’. The current Community Plan also expresses aspirations of ‘creating safer, stronger and more sustainable communities’, ‘promoting healthier communities and narrowing health inequalities’ and ‘transforming the local environment’.

1.2 In achieving these objectives and aspirations, the Council acknowledges that open space can make a major contribution to people’s lives. It is not just about providing places for people to walk the dog or enjoy an informal kickabout, high quality open spaces and outdoor sports facilities can make a major contribution to ensuring that towns and cities are places where people want to live. They can contribute towards regenerating deprived areas, provide wildlife habitats and promote better health and well-being by providing opportunities for exercise and leisure. They can also be used to educate people and they add colour and variety to the environment.

1.3 There are over 300 hectares of open space over 0.25 hectares in the Borough of different types and quality, much of which is in public ownership and is managed for public use. Other areas are privately owned, but are available for public use, such as bowling greens, tennis courts and sports pitches. There are also other privately owned spaces that are used informally by the public or have visual amenity benefits even if they cannot be publicly accessed.

1.4 There are two main aspects of open space from a land use planning perspective, protection of existing open space and provision of new spaces. The aim in Tamworth is to provide networks of accessible, high quality open spaces, sport and recreation facilities throughout the borough that meet the needs of residents. The spaces should be fit for purpose, economically and environmentally sustainable and be well managed and maintained.

1.5 Delivery of a network of high quality sustainable open spaces depends not only on good planning but also on creative urban and landscape design and effective management. The main role of the planning system is to ensure that there are enough open spaces and that they are located where they are needed. Many spaces are owned and managed by the Council, which demands effective joint working across departments and the commitment of appropriate resources. The Council also has a role in promoting sports development and is involved in initiatives to enable community involvement in managing amenity spaces and areas of wildlife interest.

3 2.0 What is the purpose of this report?

2.1 This report is not a green space strategy in the sense of CABE’s1 good practice guidance published in 2004. According to CABE, a green space strategy should set out the Council’s vision for using open space and also the goals, resources, methods and resources to achieve the goals. It should be a comprehensive council-wide document that directly contributes to delivering the council’s corporate aims and objectives set out in the community strategy.

2.2 The purpose of this report is to present a position statement on open space provision in the borough. It takes the Planning Policy Guidance Note2 17 ‘Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation’ (PPG17) audit and assessment of open space one step further by applying the recommended local standards of provision to a neighbourhood level. This will enable a better understanding of the nature and location of open space throughout Tamworth and will establish a framework for improving existing open spaces and future provision of open space.

2.3 The information will inform policy in the Core Strategy through which the standards will be adopted as Council policy. It will also feed into a more comprehensive strategy, which will be prepared jointly with other Council services to direct how open space will be provided, managed and protected in the future.

1 CABE stands for the ‘Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment’, a government agency that promotes and advises on raising standards of design in new buildings and public spaces. 2 Planning policy guidance notes are national guidance produced by the government on various aspects of planning.

4 3.0 What are the Council’s existing open space policies?

3.1 The Council produced an open space background paper in 2000 to inform the local plan review. This stated a need to provide open space throughout the borough, to resist pressures on existing open space and to ensure that additional demands are matched with new provision. The paper recommended that the local plan should contain policies with regard to:

• more closely relating open space provision with the needs arising out of new development • guidance on commuted sums • a presumption in favour of retaining open space unless there is a demonstrated surplus • meeting the need for sports pitches and to protect existing pitches • catering for future sporting needs • making best use of major open spaces such as floodplains, Green Belt and urban fringe areas

3.2 In addressing provision standards specifically, the background paper states that using the National Playing Fields Association standard of 2.43 hectares per 1000 population and population projections to 2011, there is sufficient overall open space to meet predicted needs. It considered that the main issue was more about increasing the quality of existing open space, looking at the type of open spaces and whether they meet local needs and making up local deficiencies. It could be argued that because the background paper only takes into consideration 54 public open spaces and is a global provision figure for the whole borough, local deficiencies are not highlighted.

3.3 The paper also stated a commitment to the development of a comprehensive open space strategy prior to the publication of the first deposit local plan. The Council produced an Open Space Strategy in 2002, which predates CABE’s guidance. It contained a commitment to ‘providing a network of well maintained, safe, accessible parks and open spaces that meet the needs and aspirations of residents and visitors alike’. It is relatively brief and reviewed the various types of open space and their importance to local communities. It provided a snapshot of provision, statements of intent for action and set out nine key objectives in respect of provision, quality of provision, accessibility and maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity of open areas. Significantly, it acknowledged that the NPFA standard was out of date and does not take account of population and relative amounts of different types of open space. It also acknowledged the need to look beyond the boundary of development sites when considering new provision because a single large facility may be more beneficial than a number of smaller ones.

5 3.4 The adopted Tamworth Local Plan 2001-2011 has not addressed all of these issues. It contains four open space policies which deal respectively with the provision, protection and enhancement of an accessible open space network (ENV1); protection of open space (ENV13); standards for new provision (ENV14); and loss of playing fields and sports pitches (ENV15). The policies are based on an open space network consisting of open spaces, with the exception of school playing fields, over 0.4 hectares in area. All of the spaces are given equal protection in the plan, irrespective of the availability of different types of open space, their quality and value to the community. The local plan standard for new provision is based on the Structure Plan standard of 2.43 hectares per 1000 population, which is the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) standard set some 70 years ago. This is a national minimum standard that does not take account of local circumstances and is clearly out of date in the light of government guidance.

3.5 The blanket protection approach and lack of local standards were challenged at the local plan inquiry, but no changes were made to the plan before adoption because a fundamental change to policy would have necessitated consultation and a further inquiry if objections were raised and there was insufficient time to accommodate this. The situation has created problems when dealing with applications for development because there is no clear guidance on the Council’s requirements for open space and where applications have come forward specifically for development on open space, there was no differentiation between spaces of different types or value and no evidence of spaces being surplus to requirements.

3.6 A supplementary planning guidance note covering open space and play areas was prepared alongside the Local Plan to supplement local plan policy. It includes brief guidance on the current provision standards, accessibility of open space, children’s play, commuted sums, financial contributions and maintenance. This guidance was adopted as Council policy in 2005 and has the status of ‘interim’ planning guidance. It is due to be replaced by a supplementary planning document based on local plan policy in 2007. After the Core Strategy is adopted, a new supplementary planning document based on local standards will be produced.

6 4.0 The audit and assessment of existing provision

4.1 The starting point for positive planning for open space, sport and recreation is government guidance in the form of PPG17. This requires local authorities to undertake robust audits of existing facilities and assessments of current and future need, with the aim of providing facilities according to local need. PPG17 states that open space standards should be set locally and should contain quantitative, qualitative and accessibility elements and that these standards should be included in development plans.

4.2 Before 2005, the Council did not have full and up to date information regarding the amount, type, quality and location of the open space and outdoor recreation resource of the borough. This made it difficult to prioritise which open spaces should be protected and to understand which parts of the town may be deficient in or indeed have a surplus of open space. The Council commissioned a study in 2004 to provide a comprehensive picture of open space and recreation provision and need within the Borough. The main aims of the study were:

• To identify local demand for the various types of open space • To set local standards or targets based on assessments of local need and existing provision • To identify specific needs, surpluses or deficiencies • To provide a strategic focus for the Council enabling the best use of existing and future designated open spaces • To provide a basis for future planning policies

4.3 The PPG17 companion guide ‘Assessing needs and opportunities’ sets out a five step process for undertaking local assessments and the consultants followed a methodology consistent with this advice. Details of the consultant’s methodology are set out in the main study report (pages 7 and 8), but in brief, the components were:

• Identify local needs using consultation with the public through household questionnaires and drop-in sessions and discussion with Council officers and external agencies with responsibility for open space and sport. • Audit existing provision in terms of quantity, quality, accessibility and value through on-site assessment. • Set provision standards using the data collected from the two previous stages and benchmarking against national standards and comparable local authorities • Apply provision standards across the borough to gauge where geographical deficiencies exist • Recommendations on policies and guidelines.

7 4.4 The study looked at eight of the ten typologies specified in PPG17 – parks and gardens, natural and semi-natural green space (called ‘urban green space’ in this document), amenity green space, allotments, outdoor sports facilities, provision for children and young people, cemeteries and churchyards and green corridors. Two PPG17 typologies that were not considered in the study were accessible countryside on the urban fringe and civic spaces. Appendix 1 sets out definitions of the eight open space types. Qualitative standards are suggested for all eight types, whilst quantity and access standards are suggested for six, i.e. all except cemeteries/churchyards and green corridors. In the case of churchyards, PPG17 states that whilst they provide important places for quite contemplation and can support biodiversity they can only exist where there is a church and the appropriate form of provision standard would be one of quality. With regard to cemeteries, because need is calculated on population and demographics it would not be appropriate to have a quantitative area standard. As far as green corridors are concerned, PPG17 acknowledges that there is no sensible way of stating a provision standard.

4.5 The Borough was divided into six analysis areas for the purposes of the study, using clearly definable physical boundaries such as main roads, railway lines and canals rather than artificial ward boundaries, as recommended by PPG17. This enabled detailed examination of data at a smaller level and provided a geographical background to the analysis.

4.6 The study was completed in early 2005 and made a number of recommendations, including:

a) Local borough-wide standards. b) Need for an over-arching open spaces strategy c) Need for specific strategies to deal with playing pitches and sports facilities d) Need for management and action plans for specific sites.

4.7 The study also identified specific open space needs to address geographical deficiencies and improve particular open spaces. Items b) to d) are not exclusively land use matters highlighted and will need to be addressed through appropriate programmes.

8 5.0 Applying the Borough-wide standards

5.1 As recommended by PPG17 the audit and assessment recommends a set of borough-wide quantitative, qualitative and accessibility standards. The quantitative and accessibility standards are recommended for six open space types and a quality vision for eight types. Cemeteries/churchyards and green corridors were excluded from the quantitative and accessibility standards for the reasons stated in paragraph 4.4.

5.2 The borough-wide quantitative standards are set out in Appendix 2 and are expressed as an amount of open space to be provided per 1000 people, with the exception of provision for children and young people, where the standard is the number of play areas per 1000 people rather than a site area. The standards were calculated using a combination of demographic indicators such as current and projected population and age breakdown, plus key issues raised from the household survey questionnaire on the current level of provision and future requirements. A simple bench marking exercise compared the recommended standards against national standards and other comparable authorities.

5.3 The quantitative standards will be used to calculate the open space requirement of new residential development. To ensure that new provision matches local needs, this calculation should be combined with an understanding of what already exists, the demographics of the area, the specific needs of residents and how built up the area is. In theory this would ensure that new open space is provided where it is needed and would be a type that is locally deficient.

5.4 Accessibility is a key assessment of open space sites. Without public accessibility, even the highest quality open spaces will be of limited value. The site assessment looked at the accessibility of existing sites and the household questionnaire asked people how far they are prepared to travel to reach different types of open space. The borough wide accessibility standards are set out in Appendix 3 and are expressed as distance thresholds, which are an estimation of the maximum distances and times that people are prepared to travel. For the majority of open space types travel times are by foot because respondents to the questionnaire stated that this was their preferred form of travel and it is expected that most types of open space will be found within walking distance of people’s homes. This accords with the need to reduce car journeys and promote sustainable forms of travel and more active lifestyles. The exceptions are outdoor sports facilities which are more specialised and expensive to provide and unlikely to be provided in every neighbourhood. Many people expect to drive to them and for this reason the accessibility standard for this open space type is expressed as a journey time and distance by car.

9 5.5 The study also looked into setting qualitative ‘standards’, which relate to the quality and value of open space and are concerned with how sites are managed and maintained. As part of the audit each open space was surveyed and its quality scored in terms of cleanliness, maintenance, security, vegetation and facilities. The quality check also looked at accessibility in terms of ease of getting into sites e.g. entrance, proximity to paths, cycleways, roads and public transport, disabled access and signage. The audit was supplemented by the household questionnaire which asked people for their opinions on the quality of the open spaces that they use. The outcome was a quality vision for each open space typology which sets out the ideal characteristics of each open space type in order to act as a standard for enhancement of existing spaces and for new open space to aspire to (set out in Appendix 4).

5.6 The findings of the audit and assessment are set out in the main study report and are summarised in appendix 5. The overall picture of the borough is that there is generally sufficient amenity green space, urban green space and outdoor sports and recreation facilities. There is a shortage of children’s play facilities, allotments and parks and gardens. The following sections look at provision at a neighbourhood level.

Planning for open space at a neighbourhood level

5.7 Although borough-wide standards are a useful tool to calculate open space requirements in relation to new development, they need to be combined with an understanding of existing local provision in order to provide the type of open space that is needed in an area.

5.8 The approach adopted by the Council to understand local provision was to divide the borough into a series of neighbourhoods. The six analysis areas used for the study were considered to be too large and therefore, for the purpose of investigating local open space needs, the Borough was divided into 23 smaller neighbourhoods, as shown on the map in Appendix 6. On the advice of PPG17, a decision was made not to use ward boundaries, because these represent artificial areas that bear little resemblance to local communities. Instead, the neighbourhoods have been defined to best reflect what the Council considered to be local communities, using obvious physical features such as roads, canals and rivers as boundaries where possible.

5.9 Every individual would probably define their local community or neighbourhood differently. Some would perceive their immediate street as their community, whilst others relate to a wider area such as a group of streets or an area sharing the same local facilities. Some of the neighbourhoods were easily defined, such as neighbourhoods 1 (Coton Farm), 6 (North Fazeley) 13 (East Belgrave) and 21 (Glascote Heath) because they are either relatively isolated and self contained or they were originally planned as separate housing areas in the town expansion scheme with clear boundaries such as roads, canals and railway lines. Others, including the three neigbourhoods around Amington (18, 19 and 20) were more difficult to define because of an irregular road layout and mix of house types. It should be noted that these

10 neighbourhoods have been defined primarily for open space purposes and will not necessarily correspond with neighbourhoods that are used by other service providers.

5.10 The neighbourhoods are not uniform in size or population and vary between 28.22 and 128.79 hectares and just over 1000 people to nearly 6000 people. The defined neighbourhoods were tested at two public consultation events in 2006, ‘Wild about Tamworth’ and ‘Tamworth Listens’. On the whole, the Council’s definition of the neighbourhoods was considered to be about right, although some were considered to be too large. Having regard to the range of open space types that should be provided at neighbourhood level, it is considered that 23 is a sufficiently large number and that it would be impractical to increase the number of neighbourhoods beyond this.

5.11 Cemeteries/churchyards and green corridors are excluded from the consideration of local open space facilities for the reasons set out in paragraph 4.4. The local availability of the remaining six open space types (amenity green space, provision for children and young people, allotments, parks and gardens, urban green space and outdoor sport and recreation facilities) was calculated as follows:

a) The existing open spaces in each neighbourhood were plotted and the total amount of each type was calculated. b) The borough-wide standards were applied to the estimated neighbourhood population3 to give an optimum amount of each type. c) The optimum and actual amounts of open space of each type were compared to reveal deficiencies or surpluses. A deficit figure would be the ‘target’ amount of open space of any particular type that is needed in a neighbourhood.

5.12 Appendix 7 contains open space profiles for the 23 neighbourhoods. These detail the open spaces in each neighbourhood by type and state whether there is a deficiency or surplus. Each profile contains a summary of the main points that emerged from the household questionnaire and the public consultation exercises in 2006. A set of conclusions draw together the overall provision of open space in each neighbourhood, assess the physical capability of the neighbourhood to make good any deficiencies, comment on alternative provision outside the neighbourhood and provide site specific observations. Finally, recommendations are made for improvements and future provision.

3 Source: 2001 Census, Neighbourhood Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk

11 5.13 As stated in paragraph 5.11 above, the deficiencies have been translated as ‘targets’ for each neighbourhood, but although they are the optimum amount of open space needed in a neighbourhood based on the current population, they need to be applied with a degree of flexibility. Local factors such as a scarcity of land may make it difficult to achieve the full borough standard. The structure of the existing and proposed population, the amount of private garden space and the extent to which school facilities are open for public use may mean that is not always essential to meet the full standards. There may also be suitable facilities outside the neighbourhood but within the accessibility threshold that can be used by residents that mean that provision within the neighbourhood is not crucial.

What does this mean for Tamworth’s neighbourhoods?

5.14 The overall picture is that the majority of neighbourhoods provide a range of types of open space. With the exception of neighbourhood 6, north Fazeley, which contains only amenity green space, all of the neighbourhoods contain at least two types of open space and most contain four or more: generally amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, urban green space and outdoor sport and recreation. Neighbourhood 4 covering the town centre and The Leys is alone in containing all six. However, despite all neighbourhoods containing some form of open space, none fully meet the borough standards for all types of open space and most are locally deficient in three or more types. Neighbourhood 4 is the least deficient, lacking only amenity green space and outdoor sports and recreation facilities. Seven neighbourhoods are deficient in all types, 1, Coton Farm; 10, south Wilnecote; 14, west Belgrave; 15, south Bolehall; 18, Amington/north Glascote; 19, Amington/Amington Fields; and 23, east Stonydelph. With the exception of Coton Farm, all of these are located on the eastern side of the borough.

Amenity green space

5.15 Not surprisingly, the most widespread open space type is amenity green space, which is found in every neighbourhood. It is important to have a network of amenity spaces throughout the urban area to provide an attractive setting for the various land uses, visual stimulation, places for informal recreation and exercise, wildlife habitats and locations for community events. Every resident should be able to access amenity green space within walking distance of their home, which is why the accessibility standard for this type is the shortest in terms of distance and travel time at 400 – 800 metres and 5-10 minutes from home. Even though every neighbourhood contains some amenity green space, more than half have a local deficiency, which is particularly significant where dwellings do not have access to a private garden.

12 5.16 In Tamworth amenity green spaces generally take the form of an area of mown grass with informal shrub and tree planting. Seating, litter bins and children’s play equipment are sometimes provided. The quality of amenity green spaces is variable, but the audit rated most as good and a small proportion were rated as excellent. Only about 10% were rated as average or poor. This contrasts with the public consultation which reported a general dissatisfaction with cleanliness and maintenance of open spaces in general.

Facilities for children and young people

5.17 Tamworth has a young population with an average age of 36 in 20014 and proportionally more residents in the under 20 age group than the national average. The Council acknowledges the positive contribution that play and in particular, active play makes towards child development and healthy lifestyles. The Tamworth Play Partnership5 is in the process of producing a Play Strategy, which has the overall aim of achieving more accessible, affordable, safe, high quality play experiences for young people under 19 years of age. The definition of play used by the Tamworth Play Partnership is that it can be indoor or outdoor, although only outdoor facilities have been considered in the context of this report.

5.18 More than half of the neighbourhoods contain a play facility for children/young people; nine do not have any provision. Only three neighbourhoods have enough play facilities, leaving 87% of neighbourhoods locally deficient in this type of space. Like amenity green space, this can be an issue where families with young children are living in dwellings without private gardens, which does happen in Tamworth due to a lack of suitable affordable accommodation. The recommended accessibility standard for play facilities is that they should be located within 800 metres and a 10 minute walk of houses. With many neighbourhoods containing only one facility and some with none, there are a number of households living beyond the accessibility standard, notably in Coton Farm and south Dosthill.

4 Source: 2001 Census, ONS 5 Tamworth Play Partnership is a partnership comprising Tamworth Borough Council, Tamworth CVS Children and Young People’s Forum, Staffordshire County Council’s Youth Service, Tamworth Extended Schools Programme and Tamworth SureStart.

13 5.19 With regard to quality of play facilities, the audit rated around 72% of play facilities as being good or excellent with just over a quarter were scored as being average or poor. By contrast, the public consultation reported many people dissatisfied with the quality of equipment, which is frequently vandalized and in some cases has been removed altogether for this reason. Older children and teenagers were frequently mentioned as causing a problem of anti-social behaviour and intimidating younger children on existing play facilities. There is a need to provide more facilities for this age group where they can socialise, but such facilities are unpopular with residents.

Allotments

5.20 Allotments are found in only five neighbourhoods, leaving all except neighbourhood 4 deficient. The distribution of allotments is fairly evenly spread between the east and west sides of the borough, although there is a gap in provision south of the A5 bypass. The accessibility standard is 1.2 km and 15 minutes walk. Tamworth is a compact area and if people are prepared to use a car, the existing allotments can probably be accessed in no more than 20 minutes from any part of the borough.

5.21 The consultation undertaken as part of the audit and assessment and the public consultations in 2006 revealed a limited demand for allotments. However, contact with Tamworth Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Association in 2007 reported a different picture. The Association manages eight sites and all of them have a waiting list, with the greatest demand at the Lichfield Road site. The rise in interest could be due to the growing interest in organic produce. All of the borough’s allotments were rated as good or excellent in terms of quality.

5.22 As part of the healthy living agenda, the Council will undertake a further piece of work to establish the number of plots available and a more detailed picture of demand, with a view to establishing whether the provision of allotments should be increased to enable more people to grow their own produce.

14 Parks and gardens

5.23 There are three existing parks/gardens in the borough at Wigginton Park, the Castle Grounds and Dosthill Park, neighbourhoods 2, 4 and 8 respectively. However, all are located on the western side of the borough, which leaves an obvious gap to the east of the Birmingham-Derby railway line, particularly in Stonydelph, Glascote, Wilnecote and Amington, which lie beyond the accessibility standard of 15 minutes walk or 1.2 km of existing provision. Even households in Belgrave and Hockley, that are relatively close ‘as the crow flies’ and within the accessibility threshold may face difficulties in accessing parks because barriers like the railway line present a major obstacle to convenient access and increase journey times.

5.24 Parks and gardens can perform a number of functions and as a minimum, generally provide amenity space and a play area. Additional features can include formal recreation facilities such as a tennis court or bowling green, formal planting, wildlife areas and ancillary facilities such as toilets and a café. People are generally prepared to travel further to them and they are also a shared resource, so a facility that serves a number of neighbourhoods would be expected. Investigating a site for a park to serve the eastern part of the borough should be a priority, taking into consideration the need for a site of reasonable size with convenient access and sufficient space for parking.

5.25 The Castle Grounds is regarded as the ‘town park’ and is well used by people from all over the borough. It provides a wider range of facilities than the other parks, including tennis courts, crazy golf course, a bowling green, children’s play facilities, space for community events, floral displays and café facilities. All three parks contain amenity grassed areas, which help to redress local deficiencies in amenity green space, which is most pronounced in south Dosthill.

5.26 In terms of quality, the Castle Grounds and Dosthill Park were rated as excellent and Wigginton Park as good. The public consultation highlighted areas of potential improvement to the Castle Grounds such as lighting, signage, cleanliness and more facilities for older children. With regard to Wigginton Park many residents are of the opinion that more could be done to increase its attractivess by changing the way in which the extensive grassland is maintained and providing a wider range of activities.

15 Urban green space

5.27 Urban green space is found in around three quarters of the neighbourhoods, and just under a third are deficient in this type of open space. Whilst the primary purpose of these spaces is biodiversity and nature conservation, they are also important for education and informal recreation, providing residents with the opportunity to make contact with natural and semi-natural spaces. They can also perform a structural landscaping function, by providing a buffer between housing and other uses. Despite local deficiencies, if facilities beyond neighbourhood boundaries are taken into consideration, most residents are within the accessibility standard of 1.2 – 1.6 km and 15-20 minutes walk of an urban green space or the open countryside. There is an extensive network of canals and rivers throughout the borough which link to wider areas of green space and public consultation highlighted canal towpaths and the Kettlebrook Local Nature Reserve as being widely used.

5.28 The quality of urban green space was more variable than other types, with only half of the sites rated as good or excellent. The public highlighted facilities such as poorly surfaced paths and a lack of bins as being a problem and some sites suffer from use by motorbikes and cars.

16 Outdoor sports and recreation

5.29 This typology is very broad and includes all manner of outdoor sports pitches and courts, including playing pitches, tennis courts, athletics tracks, bowling greens and cricket pitches. Approximately half of the outdoor recreation facilities are school playing fields.

5.30 Most neighbourhoods contain outdoor sport and recreation facilities, only three do not (6, north Fazeley; 8, Two Gates/north Dosthill; 10, south Wilnecote). Most facilities are playing fields, which are used for a variety of activities; there are also dedicated tennis courts and bowling greens. The accessibility standard for this type is the only one specified as a driving distance of 6km and 15 minutes rather than a walking distance, which actually means that all households would be within acceptable reach of a facility.

5.31 In 2007, the Council surveyed all the primary and secondary schools in the borough to find out what indoor and outdoor sports facilities they have and which ones are made available to the public. Around 70% of the schools replied to the survey and of these, most have junior football pitches and netball courts, some also have 11-a-side football pitches, tennis courts, rounders pitches and athletics facilities. Of these schools, just over half make some or all of their facilities available to the public in the evenings, weekends and school holidays.

5.32 Over the last year, the Council has introduced a programme to install goal posts on a number of amenity and urban green spaces thoughout the borough to enable people to have a kickabout, which aims to encourage a healthier lifestyle amongst residents.

5.33 Over 75% of the school playing pitches were not surveyed because of problems of access, but of the remaining sites in this typology, over 80% were rated as good or excellent.

5.34 There is a need to undertake additional research on sports facilities. A playing pitch strategy would look at the number of pitches and the quality and pressure on existing facilities, whilst a specific sports facility strategy would look more closely at specific facility types to identify local need more accurately.

17 6.0 How do we address deficiencies in open space provision?

6.1 The neighbourhood work reveals widespread local deficiencies in all types of open space. The majority of deficiencies are less than 2 hectares, however, there are some large shortfalls, particularly in urban green space where half the neighbourhoods have a deficiency of more than 4 hectares, probably because the borough standard is the highest of all open space types at 2.7 hectares/1000 population. There are also relatively large deficiencies in outdoor sports and recreation facilities with just under a quarter of neighbourhoods having deficiencies of more than 4 hectares.

6.2 In tackling these deficiencies, the first step would be to investigate whether they can be addressed within the neighbourhood itself and if not, whether there are any sites within the accessibility threshold that would be suitable for new or enhanced provision.

6.3 Open space can be provided through new development, but in looking for sites to increase provision, there is a limit to the amount of development that will come forward in the future because the urban area is relatively built up and the tight administrative boundary means that there are limited opportunities to allocate further sites. There is also a limited supply of under- used land that could be used as new functional open space. In any case, new development will have its own open space requirements and it would be unreasonable to expect developers to make good existing deficiencies outside the site. Understanding the specific deficiencies of a neighbourhood would, however, enable the right sort of open space to be provided. Where development does come forward, the Council will apply a minimum size of 0.1 hectare for new on-site provision to ensure that open space is useable and can be easily and economically maintained.

6.4 As an alternative to providing on-site open space, developers will sometimes make a financial contribution towards improving existing open space in the vicinity of the site. This approach is usually adopted on smaller sites and sites within the town centre where it is not possible to accommodate on-site provision. It may also be appropriate in areas where a need has been identified to provide a single strategic facility rather than a number of smaller ones, such as a play or sports area. Whilst it will not result in a net increase in the amount of open space in a neighbourhood because the open space already exists, it can result in qualitative improvements including seating, surfacing, landscaping, play and sports equipment and measures to combat anti-social behaviour.

6.5 It must be accepted that it is not going to be possible to achieve the borough- wide standards in most of the neighbourhoods and that there will be limited new open space coming forward. The boundaries of the neighbourhoods have been drawn quite tightly around the urban area so there may be areas of open space outside the boundary but within the accessibility threshold, including open countryside, green corridors like rivers and canal corridors and green space (such as local nature reserves), that can be used to supplement space within the neighbourhood. Residents have reported widespread use of open space outside their own neighbourhood.

18 6.6 The neighbourhoods on the eastern side of the borough are most deficient, but with the exception of the recommendation for a park on this side of the borough and additional play facilities throughout the borough, none of the neighbourhood profiles recommend creating new open space because of lack of suitable sites. Efforts should therefore be concentrated on improving the borough’s existing spaces.

6.7 The audit of existing provision has assessed the quality of the majority of open spaces which will help to direct contributions towards the most appropriate sites. The quality scores are provided in the neighbourhood profiles in Appendix 7 but as stated in paragraph 5.31, most of the school playing fields were not assessed for quality. The companion guide to PPG17 ‘Assessing Needs and Opportunities’ states that in many areas, delivering the objectives of PPG17 will depend more on improving and enhancing the accessibility and quality of existing provision than on new provision. Quality enhancements could take the form of higher standards of maintenance, tackling litter and graffiti on a more regular and systematic basis, providing more seating and ensuring that they are well lit. A number of the spaces in Tamworth were reported as being difficult to access by wheelchairs and pushchairs and measures should be investigated to facilitate better access, whilst restricting access by motorbikes and cars.

6.7 Some neighbourhoods contain open space that is ‘surplus’, i.e. in excess of the optimum amount for the neighbourhood based on the borough standards. This is generally amenity green space, urban green space and outdoor sports and recreation facilities and varies from under a hectare to more than 18 hectares (parks and gardens in neighbourhood 2). If a deficiency of any type exists in a neighbourhood, there may be an opportunity to address this if there are surpluses of another type. This would be achieved by altering the way in which a site is managed or equipped and will be easier to achieve where the borough council owns or manages the open space. Given the potential lack of development sites coming forward, it may be necessary to rely increasingly on this approach to achieve improvements to existing open spaces. The Council will look at the potential for redesigning open spaces. Sources of funding for such improvements would include financial contributions from developers. It is important that any changes are subject to full public consultation.

19 7.0 Protection of existing open spaces

7.1 The work to date has highlighted significant local deficiencies in open space provision across the borough. If there were greater levels of surplus the Council could afford to take a more flexible view of proposals for alternative uses, however, given the scale of deficiencies, it is important that the Council protects as much existing provision as possible.

7.2 The Local Plan does not distinguish between open spaces or facilities of different types and value, so all open spaces are currently given equal protection. The Council will need to develop a different system of protection through the Core Strategy. The companion guide to PPG17 suggests a tiered system of protection where a distinction is made between open spaces of different value, so that high value sites are safeguarded and low value sites may be considered for other uses but only where there is a surplus. Whether a site should be retained or can be considered for an alternative use would depend on a number of issues such as:

• The quality of the open space in terms of how it is managed and maintained and its facilities. • Whether the open space has wider benefits – indicated in the site assessments as ecological, economic, educational, health or historical/cultural benefits. • The amount of a particular type of open space in the neighbourhood. • Whether the site is critical to avoid a deficiency in accessibility, quality or quantity. • The value attached to an open space by the local community.

7.3 The PPG17 Companion Guide recommends that two categories of sites should receive the highest level of protection. These sites would either be significant to avoid deficiencies and be of the highest quality in the site assessment (scores 3 and 4) or those that are of particular nature conservation, historical or cultural value.

7.4 Other sites should be identified for improvement. They would be significant to avoid deficiencies but of poorer quality in the site assessment (scores 1 and 2).

7.5 A third tier of sites are those that may contribute towards a local surplus of one type of open space. Before considering such sites for non-open space uses the first priority would be to use at least part of the site to reduce any local deficiencies in other types. The Council could then consider allowing alternative uses on any remaining land. A criteria based development plan policy that sets out the circumstances when this would be appropriate will be developed to assist officers and developers when considering applications to develop open spaces.

20 8.0 Action points to progress open space

8.1 The issue of open space does not stop with this position statement. The PPG17 audit and assessment and work undertaken in the formulation of this statement has highlighted a need for a significant amount of additional work. The most fundamental is the production of a green space strategy for the borough and the adoption of the local standards, but there are also various detailed matters of open space management and evidence gathering that need to be addressed.

Over-arching green space strategy

8.2 There is a need to prepare a green space strategy to the standard recommended by CABE. This would set out the Council’s vision for using the borough’s open spaces, the goals it wants to achieve, plus details of resources, methods and timetable for meeting the goals. The CABE good practice guide on producing green space strategies suggests that other more detailed strategies, such as those for trees and sports will feed into the green space strategy.

Local standards for new provision

8.3 The position statement will inform spatial policies in the Core Strategy relating to open space provision and protection. The Core Strategy will take forward new local borough-wide standards for various types of open space.

Additional neighbourhood work

8.4 There is a need to investigate the extent to which deficiencies can be addressed within neighbourhoods by enhancing or managing open spaces differently. Where deficiencies cannot be met within neighbourhoods, additional work is needed to identify open spaces within the accessibility threshold of development sites but beyond the neighbourhood boundary that could fill a gap in provision. These open spaces may need additional improvements in order to cater for a wider audience.

Management of Council owned open spaces

8.5 The Council accepts that it is unlikely that sufficient areas of new open space will come forward through development to address deficiencies. The best way of achieving improvements to the open space resource will be to enhance existing open spaces, which will require the formulation of a programme of improvements.

21 8.6 The considerations set out in paragraph 7.2 can be used to identify the most important open spaces that must be retained. Identify open spaces for improvement and determine whether any spaces could be regarded as surplus. Consider alternative open space and recreation uses before ‘hard’ uses.

8.7 These issues should be incorporated into a management strategy that will detail how Council owned open spaces will be improved and managed in the future. This should include an action plan detailing the necessary enhancement works to bring the open spaces up to the standard stated in the quality vision.

8.8 Management plans should be produced for key open spaces such as the Castle Grounds and Wigginton Park. The management plans should include ways in which the parks could be enhanced to make best use of them and make them more attractive to users.

8.9 Investigate how the problem of motorbikes and cars gaining access to open spaces can be addressed.

8.10 Investigate how access to open spaces can be improved for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

8.11 Investigate appropriate play facilities for older children and teenagers and suitable locations.

Filling gaps in the evidence base

8.12 Studies that should be undertaken in order to inform the preferred options stage of the Core Strategy include and strategies for indoor sports facilities and playing pitches. An overall sports facility strategy should also be prepared, but not specifically for the Core Strategy.

8.13 Further work is needed to determine the demand for allotments. An initial contact has been made with the Tamworth Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Association, with a view to undertaking more detailed work to assess whether the Council should make provision for new allotment sites.

8.14 All the work to date has highlighted a lack of a town park for the eastern side of the borough. A potential site for such a facility should be investigated and the broad location indicated in the Core Strategy.

22 References

1. Green Space Strategies, a good practice guide, Cabe Space, 2004 2. Green Space, Better Places, final report of urban green spaces taskforce, DTLR, 2002 3. Planning policy guidance note 17 ‘Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation’, ODPM, 2002 4. PPG17 companion guide ‘Assessing Needs and Opportunities’, ODPM 2002 5. Open Space Study, PMP for Tamworth Borough Council, 2005 6. Neighbourhood analysis of results of open space study and public consultations, Tamworth Borough Council, 2007 7. Draft Play Strategy for Tamworth, Tamworth Borough Council, 2007

23 Appendices Appendix 1: Definition of open space types

Type Definition Primary Purpose/Examples

Includes urban parks, formal • informal recreation Parks and Gardens gardens and country parks • community events.

Includes publicly accessible • wildlife conservation, Urban Green spaces woodlands, urban forestry, scrub, • biodiversity grasslands (e.g. downlands, • environmental education and commons, meadows), wetlands, awareness. open and running water and • designed as sustainable wastelands. urban drainage schemes to encourage biodiversity and to minimise flood risk.

Most commonly but not • informal activities close to Amenity Green space exclusively found in housing home or work areas. Includes informal • enhancement of the recreation green spaces and appearance of residential or village greens. other areas • designed as sustainable urban drainage schemes to encourage biodiversity and to minimise flood risk.

Areas designed primarily for play • equipped play areas Provision for Children and social interaction involving • ball courts and Young People children and young people. • outdoor basketball hoop areas • skateboard areas • teenage shelters and ‘hangouts’

Natural or artificial surfaces either • outdoor sports pitches Outdoor Sports Facilities publicly or privately owned used • tennis and bowls for sport and recreation. Includes • golf courses school playing fields. • athletics • playing fields (including school playing fields) • water sports

Opportunities for those people • growing vegetables and other Allotments who wish to do so to grow their root crops own produce as part of the long- term promotion of sustainability, N.B. does not include private health and social inclusion. May gardens also include urban farms.

Cemeteries and churchyards • quiet contemplation Cemeteries & including disused churchyards • burial of the dead Churchyards and other burial grounds. • wildlife conservation • promotion of biodiversity

Includes towpaths along canals • walking, cycling or horse Green Corridors and riverbanks, cycleways, rights riding of way and disused railway lines. • leisure purposes or travel • opportunities for wildlife migration.

Source: Open Space Study, PMP for Tamworth Borough Council, 2005

24 Appendix 2: Recommended Quantity Provision Standards

Typology Quantity Provision Standard Parks and public gardens 0.5 hectares per 1000 population

Urban green space 2.7 hectares per 1000 population

Outdoor sports facilities 1.5 hectares per 1000 population (excluding golf course)

Amenity green space 1.15 hectares per 1000 population

Provision for children & young people 0.5 play areas per 1000 population

Allotments 0.05 hectares per 1000 population

Cemeteries/churchyards No standard set

Green corridors No standard set

Source: Open Space Study, PMP for Tamworth Borough Council, 2005

25 Appendix 3: Recommended Accessibility Standards

Open space Realistic mode Recommended Estimated type of transport travel time distance equivalent Parks & gardens Walk 15 mins 1.2 km

Urban green Walk 15 - 20 mins 1.2 - 1.6 km space Amenity green Walk 5 - 10 mins 400 – 800 m space Play spaces for Walk 10 mins 800 m children & young people Outdoor sports Drive by car 15 mins 6 km facilities Allotments Walk 15 mins 1.2 km

Cemeteries/ No standard set Churchyards Green corridors No standard set

Source: Open Space Study, PMP for Tamworth Borough Council, 2005

26 Appendix 4: Recommended Quality Vision

Typology Quality Vision

Parks and public gardens Welcoming, clean, litter free, range of leisure, recreation & enriched play opportunities, well maintained vegetation & facilities Urban green space Spacious, clean & litter free, clear pathways, natural features encouraging wildlife conservation/biodiversity, environmental education, informal recreation & play opportunities, local community involvement in management Outdoor sports facilities Well planned, litter & dog fouling free, level & well drained surfaces, good quality ancillary accommodation, appropriate management. Facilities should comply with Sport England and National Governing Bodies’ design guidance. Amenity green space Clean, well maintained, accessible, well marked footpaths, informal play opportunities, appropriate facilities & landscaping Provision for children & young people Mix of well maintained formal equipment & enriched play environment, safe, convenient location close to housing, clean, litter and dog fouling free, seating for adults Allotments Clean, well kept encouraging sustainable development, biodiversity, healthy living & education objectives, ancillary facilities, clearly marked pathways, level plots, spacious, secure & well lit Cemeteries/churchyards Well maintained with long term capacity, seating, clear pathways, varied vegetation providing wildlife habitats Green corridors Clean, well maintained, safe, enclosed & secured by natural vegetation, clear, level & well drained pathways to link major open spaces, appropriate ancillary facilities, seating

Source: Open Space Study, PMP for Tamworth Borough Council, 2005

27 Appendix 5: Summary of outcomes of audit and assessment by open space type

Quantity • Provision for children and young people was considered the least well provided for type of open space, there is a need for specific sites and facilities such as skate parks, adventure playgrounds, meeting places and goalposts.

Quality • Litter was considered to be the most consistent problem with the open spaces. • Dog fouling, vandalism and graffiti, anti-social behaviour, were also reported as significant problems across the borough. • Lack of site facilities such as seating and toilets, poor lighting and maintenance and management were reported as problems. • People were most satisfied with paths, planted and grassed areas, boundary treatments and car parking.

Accessibility • Most people considered that the open space they used the most was easily accessible by foot. • There was a minor problem with accessibility of sites by public transport. • Some sites are not easily accessed by pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Parks and gardens • Rated as the most important type of open space within the borough and the type most frequently used. • The most frequently used parks are the Castle Grounds, Wigginton Park and Dosthill Park. • The Castle Grounds is regarded as an excellent example of good practice, providing a wide range of spaces that meet the needs of different age groups. Usage of this site is heavy. • Dosthill Park is regarded as an area of good practice particularly the recent play area, but has only average usage. • There is a need for smaller scale parks in the suburbs, these would be preferable to amenity green space or playing fields. • There is a specific need for a local park on the eastern side of the borough.

Urban green space • Most frequently used spaces are the Kettlebrook Linear Park, Warwickshire Moor, Hodge Lane, Dosthill Quarry/Lakes areas, Green Belt south of Hockley, Borrowpit Lake, Kirtley Woods. • Improving accessibility to existing sites should be a priority. • Use of natural green space by motorbikes and quad bikes is a problem, particularly on the Warwickshire Moor. • Access for people with disabilities and pushchairs could be improved.

Amenity green space • There is sufficient overall provision of this type of open space with only minor deficiencies in specific areas such as south west Dosthill and the north east at Amington. • There is a surplus in the eastern part of the borough. • The main issue is one of quality and in many instances maintenance is considered to be unsatisfactory.

28 • Most amenity green spaces are not well used, suggesting that their value is more visual than functional.

Children and young people • General lack of provision for all age groups. • Three areas of priority need i.e. Coton Farm estate, South Dosthill and Birds Bush Road estate. • Quality of existing sites is a problem and many contain equipment that has been vandalised. • Examples of good practice include the play areas at the Castle Grounds and Dosthill Park.

Outdoor sports facilities • No areas deficient in this type of space, but difficult to gauge because the facility types are so disparate. • For this reason there needs to be a sports facility strategy and separate studies on each facility type. • The standard set for this type excludes golf courses. • People expect to drive to this type of facility more than the others. • The whole borough is within the recommended 15 minute drive time accessibility standard. • School playing fields should be opened up more for the public.

Allotments • Most of the local population does not use allotments, demand is therefore limited. • Allotments are a demand-led open space and there is no point providing them if they are not wanted. Further investigation should take place to assess demand. • Quantitative deficiencies were apparent in the south of the borough. • All existing allotments are rated as being well used. • An example of best practice was Glascote WMC allotments.

29

Appendix 6 – Map of Neighbourhoods

Key Not to scale

Neighbourhood Boundary

30

Appendix 7: Neighbourhood Summaries

Notes on information contained in neighbourhood tables:

Populations are based on neighbourhood statistics from the ONS from the 2001 census, which have been manipulated to best fit the neighbourhood boundaries. They are intended as a guide and do not claim to be 100% accurate.

All the open spaces were surveyed in 2004 and the quality scores reflect the situation at that time. The blank spaces in the quality scores for many of the school playing fields was due to problems of gaining access.

Key to quality scores: 1 – poor 2 – average 3 – good 4 – excellent

Wider benefits This indicates whether the site has a significant wider benefit such as ecological, economic, educational, health or historical/cultural.

31 Neighbourhood 1 – Coton Farm

Area: 44.22 hectares Approximate population: 2244

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Chartwell 1.32 3 Helmingham 0.59 4 ecological Oxbridge Way 0.21 3 Total actual provision 2.12 Required amount (based on 2.58 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.46

Children & young people Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.12 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.12

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.12 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.12

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.12 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.12

Urban green space Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 6.06 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -6.06

Outdoor sports/recreation Buckingham Road Football 2.69 4 Eological, health, pitch economic Total actual provision 2.69 Required amount (based on 3.37 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.68

32

Feedback from public • Buckingham Road pitches are well used but parking causes a consultation problem for residents. Boundaries of pitches are not secure. • Lack of attractive planted areas. • Lack of safe children’s play facilities. • Open spaces perceived as poorly maintained, graffitied, vandalised, littered and poorly lit. • Open spaces outside area that are well used include the Castle Grounds, Wigginton Park, Hopwas Woods, towpaths, countryside north of Coton Lane, Chestnut Avenue and river floodplain. Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains only two types of open space, amenity green space and outdoor sports facilities. It is deficient in all open space types. There are not many open spaces and with the exception of Oxbridge Way which is part of the former Smurfit site, existing open spaces are all north of Lichfield Road.

• The area is relatively built up so there is limited scope to increase the overall amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. This should involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• Although the neighbourhood does not contain any urban green space, it is located on the edge of the urban area within easy reach of open countryside, the River Tame floodplain and the canal network. All of these provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

• Buckingham Road pitch is the largest open space in the area but regular use as a playing field precludes consideration for other uses, apart from informal recreation when there are no matches or practices. The boundaries should be secured and if parking is a real problem when they are in use, some form of off-road parking should be considered.

• There are allotments available outside the neighbourhood at Lichfield Road, Lud Lane and Chestnut Avenue. The first two are within walking distance and Chestnut Avenue is a short drive away.

• There are no parks/gardens but both Wigginton Park and the Castle Grounds are within walking distance of the neigbourhood.

• Although there is no play area in this part of the borough, most houses have private gardens and the only dwellings without gardens are the apartments on the former Smurfit site. Provision of a children’s play area would be less of a priority in this neighbourhood than one where there are more dwellings without private gardens.

33 Recommendations No new provision of open space is recommended.

Minor improvements to Buckingham Road pitches in terms of boundary treatment to Buckingham Road and consideration of off-road parking.

34 Neighbourhood 2 – Coton Green and Leyfields

Area: 126.11 hectares Approximate population: 5882

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space1 Coton Lane/Fontenaye Road 1.63 3 ecological Fontenaye Road (3 sites) 0.78 4 Masefield Drive 1 0.76 4 Masefield Drive 2 0.15 4 Chesterton Way 0.34 4 Total actual provision 3.66 Required amount (based on 6.76 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -3.1

Children & young people Wigginton Park 1 4 health Required amount (based on 2.94 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.94

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.94 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.94

Parks & gardens Wigginton Park 21.7 3 Ecological, education, health Total actual provision 21.7 Required amount (based on 2.94 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +18.76

Urban green space Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 6.06 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -6.06

1 Neighbourhood contains site of Marmion Junior School which has been redeveloped for housing, but the open space associated with this development has not been included in the list because it was not developed at the time of survey. 35

Outdoor sports/recreation

Wigginton Park rugby pitches 1.6 Health, economic Coton Green Primary School 1.1 Health St. Elizabeth’s & Larkhall 0.9 Health School Total actual provision 3.6 Required amount (based on 8.82 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -5.22

Feedback from public • Wigginton Park is not used to its full potential. Most of the consultation park consists of meadows of long grass which makes walking difficult and is unsuitable for wheelchairs. Lack of play equipment, lighting, cycle provision, car parking and toilets. Anti-social behaviour is a problem. Would benefit from a specific dog exercise area. • Lack of facilities for people with disabilities. • Lack of facilities for children of all ages. • Lack of attractive planted up amenity green space. • Lack of seating and toilet facilities. • Open spaces perceived as poorly maintained, graffitied, vandalised, littered and poorly lit. • Open spaces outside area that are well used include the Castle Grounds, Lady Meadow, Hodge Lane, riverside walks, Borrowpit Lake, Hopwas Woods and towpaths. Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, parks/gardens and sports/recreation facilities but is deficient in all open space types apart from parks/gardens. The open spaces are well distributed around the neighbourhood, although the Claremont Road area does not have any amenity space and is only served by a school playing field.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces, i.e. Wigginton Park and the amenity green spaces on Fontenaye Road and around Masefield Drive. This should involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting, seating and access/facilities for people with disabilities. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There are a number of flats and maisonettes in the Leyfields area, which do not have their own private gardens. Access to good quality open space is therefore particularly important in this area. There are a number of amenity green spaces around Masefield Drive and Wigginton Park is accessed off Elizabeth Drive.

• Wigginton Park is the most substantial open space in the area and despite its classification as a park/garden, it fulfils a range

36 of functions. Its size and accessibility within the neighbourhood compensate for the deficiency in amenity green space. The current maintenance regime where the grass is not closely mown means that its character is more akin to urban green space than a formal park. This provides greater opportunities for biodiversity, although users consider that this conflicts with easy access.

Other uses of the park include formal recreation, with Tamworth Rugby Club leasing two pitches from the Council. There is also a caged ball court.

A bid was submitted in March 2007 for Big Lottery for Play funding to make improvements to play facilities. This would be combined with Section 106 funding to provide two additional ‘adventurous’ play facilities, which would fully address the deficiency in this typology. There are also proposals to involve local residents and schools in looking after the park, in partnership with the Wild about Tamworth project.

When considering the future of the park, there is a need to balance the cost of improvements and maintenance with the usable, safe spaces that the public want. The public would appreciate more closely mown areas and clearly defined paths, improved access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, a trim trail, toilet facilities and a dog exercise area. The Park would benefit from a management plan and with improvements, it could be an excellent recreational asset that provides for a range of experiences.

• Although the neighbourhood does not contain urban green space, it is close to open countryside, the River Tame floodplain and the canal network, which provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

• The allotment areas off Lichfield Road, Lud Lane, Lakenheath and Chestnut Avenue are within a short distance of the neighbourhood.

• Ensure safe walking or cycle links are provided to open spaces outside area.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance existing amenity green spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping and access for people with disabilities.

A management plan should be prepared for Wigginton Park. The park should be fully utilised and enhanced to provide a wider range of experiences and activities for users of all ages and abilities.

37 Neighbourhood 3 - Perrycrofts

Area: 121.15 hectares Approximate population: 4567

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Queensway Road 0.61 3 ecological Henley Close 1.21 4 Gillway Lane 0.31 4 Beech Close 0.08 4 Hill Top Avenue 0.14 2 Cedar Drive 0.13 4 Laburnham Avenue 0.16 4 Holly Close 0.08 4 Ashlands Close 0.27 4 Kensington Drive 0.75 4 Flora Close 0.24 4 w/o Ashcroft Primary School, 0.26 3 health Lakenheath w/o Cemetery, Perrycrofts 1.72 4 Total actual provision 5.96 Required amount (based on 5.25 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +0.71

Children & young people Lakenheath 1 2 health Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 2.28 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.28

Allotments Chestnut Avenue Allotments 0.58 4 ecological, health Lakenheath Allotments 0.65 4 ecological, health Total actual provision 1.23 Required amount (based on 2.28 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.05

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.28 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.28

38 Urban green space Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 12.33 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -12.33

Outdoor sports/recreation QEMS playing fields 13.3 3 education, health Spital Tennis Club & bowling 0.48 5 economic, health green Flaxhill Junior School 1.36 health Ashcroft Primary School 0.59 health Total actual provision 15.73 Required amount (based on 6.85 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +8.88

Feedback from public • QEMS playing field is the largest open space in the area and consultation according to the school, this facility is made available to the public. Most of the grass is closely mown and provides little opportunities for biodiversity. • Lakenheath open space suffers from poor maintenance, vandalised play equipment, graffiti, anti-social behaviour and dog fouling. • Henley Close play area has been vandalised and the boundary to the railway line is not secure. • Lack of facilities for children of all ages. • Lack of cycle links to open countryside • Open spaces perceived as poorly maintained, graffitied, vandalised, littered and poorly lit. • Open spaces outside area that are well used include the Castle Grounds, canal towpaths, Wigginton Park, Moor Street park, Snowdome Lake, Dosthill Park, open countryside north of Brown’s Lane/Ashby Road, Hopwas Woods and Hopwas pitches. Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, allotments and sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types apart from amenity green space and outdoor sports/recreation facilities.

• The neighourhood is divided by two main roads (Ashby Road and Wigginton Road) into three sections. Most of the open spaces are located in the section bounded by Comberford Road and Wigginton Road. The section with fewest open spaces is bounded by Wigginton Road and Ashby Road.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. There are a fair number of amenity green spaces spread throughout the neighbourhood and these should be enhanced by a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment and providing attractive landscaping, seating, good lighting and access/facilities for people with disabilities.

39 Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There is only one play area located on Lakenheath, which is in the section bounded by Wigginton Road and Ashby Road. Residents report vandalism to this play area and an unattractive environment. Consideration should be given to replacing the equipment. Accessing this facility on foot from other parts of the neighbourhood could be hazardous, particularly for younger children. For this reason, consideration should be given to providing a play facility on other areas of amenity green space e.g. Henley Close and the Chestnut Avenue field. There are also proposals to provide more imaginative opportunities for play in Wigginton Park (see Neighbourhood 2), which is used by residents from this neighbourhood.

• Although the neighbourhood is deficient in allotments, it is one of the few parts of town with provision. Alternative facilities are available outside the neighbourhood in neighbourhood 4 at Lud Lane and Lichfield Road.

• There are no park/gardens in this neighbourhood, but it is close to Wigginton Park and the Castle Grounds and residents have stated that they use both. Wigginton Park is within walking distance, although it would involve crossing main roads.

• In terms of urban green space, the neighbourhood is close to open countryside to the north of Brown’s Lane/Ashby Road and residents state regular use of canal townpaths and open spaces further afield. These nearby spaces provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity. It is important to ensure safe walking and cycle links to open spaces outside the area.

• A variety of school outdoor sports facilities are available for public use - astro turf pitch and football pitches at QEMS; sports field at St. Elizabeth’s Primary School; and junior football pitches at Flax Hill County Junior School.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance existing open spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping and access for people with disabilities.

Improve existing children’s play facility on Lakenheath and consider a suitable location(s) for additional imaginative children’s play facilities.

40 Neighbourhood 4 – Town Centre and The Leys

Area: 128.79 hectares Approximate population: 3496

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space St. Editha’s precinct 0.39 4 Garden of Rest 0.41 3 Amington/Glascote Road 0.49 2 Total actual provision 1.29 Required amount (based on 4.02 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.73

Children & young people Castle Pleasure Grounds 1 1 4 health Castle Pleasure Grounds 2 1 4 health (Treasure Island) Castle Pleasure Grounds 3 1 2 health (skate park) Total actual provision 3 Required amount (based on 1.75 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +1.25

Allotments Lud Lane allotments 0.54 4 ecological, health Lichfield Road allotments 1.65 4 ecological, health Total actual provision 2.19 Required amount (based on 1.75 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +0.44

Parks & gardens Castle Grounds 10.2 4 Cultural/heritage, ecological, economic, educational, health Total actual provision 10.2 Required amount (based on 1.75 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +8.45

Urban green space Broad Meadow 3.1 4 ecological Lady Meadow 8.78 4 ecological, economic Egg Meadow 3.6 4 ecological

41 Total actual provision 15.48 Required amount (based on 9.44 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +6.04

Outdoor sports/recreation Moor Street football pitch 1.3 4 ecological, health Moorgate Primary School 1.42 4 ecological, education, health Bowling green in Castle Grnds 0.18 4 economic, health Tennis courts in Castle Grounds 0.32 economic, health Total actual provision 3.22 Required amount (based on 5.24 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.02

Feedback from public • The Castle Grounds are well used by residents from the whole consultation Borough and are the main town park. There is a problem with anti-social behaviour, vandalism, dog fouling and litter and a reported lack of toilet facilities, seating, litter bins and warden patrols. The river environment is also littered. The toilets, parking and some of the facilities e.g. Treasure Island, are too expensive. It feels unsafe in places due to poor lighting. Signage in Holloway car park is poor and misleading. Grass is cut too short so there is a lack of wild flowers. • Moor Street park is well used but the children’s play area has been vandalised and the equipment removed. It is littered and there is a problem with dog fouling. • Open spaces perceived as poorly maintained, vandalised, littered and graffitied. • Lack of interesting activities and kickabout areas. • Pedestrians find it difficult to navigate around the Lichfield Road and Ventura roundabouts. • Open spaces outside area that are well used include Borrowpit Lake, Anker Valley, towpaths, Wigginton Park, Wigginton Cemetery, Hopwas Woods, Tame and Anker floodplains and the Snowdome Lake.

Conclusions • Neighbourhood includes Tamworth town centre and the Castle Grounds. It contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, allotments, parks/gardens, urban green space and outdoor sport/recreation facilities, making it the only neighbourhood containing all typologies. However, it is still deficient in amenity green space and outdoor sports/recreation.

• The majority of dwellings have their own private gardens or yards, however, there are more purpose built flats, conversions and flats above commercial premises in this neighbourhood than any of the others and their residents rely on the provision of convenient and high quality public open space.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most

42 should be made of existing spaces, particularly the Castle Grounds.

• There are few areas of amenity green space. However, the Castle Grounds, which contains large areas of informal amenity space, is within walking distance of the whole neighbourhood and would compensate for lack of this typology. It also provides for a wide range of other activities in terms of play and outdoor sports/recreation, informal kickabout and outdoor events.

Consideration should be given to improvements to the Castle Grounds such as enhanced lighting and signage, cleanliness of the grounds and rivers, more seating and facilities for older teenagers. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently.

The lower field could be marked out for different sports. Consideration could also be given to creating natural wild flower areas on the lower field.

The Castle Grounds would benefit from a management plan.

• There are a number of footpaths and cycleways passing through this neighbourhood, along the river and through the Castle Grounds to Egg Meadow and Broad Meadow. They are well used by people living outside the neighbourhood to access the town centre. It is important that these are suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There are two allotment areas at Lud Lane and Lichfield Road and alternative facilities in neighbourhood 3.

• Moorgate Primary School makes the school field available to the public outside school hours. There are plentiful opportunities for informal recreation both inside the neighbourhood and outside at Borrowpit, the Kettlebrook linear park/local nature reserve (LNR), canal network and the open countryside. Residents state regular use of such areas, which provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance existing open spaces, in particular the Castle Grounds, through better maintenance, lighting, signage and seating.

Produce management plan for Castle Grounds and improve lighting, signage, cleanliness and facilities for older children.

Provide additional opportunities for play for older children.

43 Neighbourhood 5 – North Kettlebrook

Area: 28.22 hectares Approximate population: 1166

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Reedmace/Celandine 1.93 2 ecological West Street 0.66 2 ecological Campion Drive 0.63 3 ecological adj. Borrowpit Lake/Peelers Wy 1.41 ecological Total actual provision 4.36 Required amount (based on 1.34 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +3.02

Children & young people 2 William MacGregor Primary Sch 1 Reedmace/Celandine 1 Total actual provision 2 Required amount (based on 0.58 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Surplus +1.42

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.58 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.58

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.58 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.58

Urban green space Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 3.15 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -3.15

Outdoor sports/recreation Tamworth Football Club 0.74 health Total actual provision 0.74 Required amount (based on 1.75 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.)

44 Deficit -1.01

Feedback from public • Lack of play spaces for young children. consultation • Lack of parking at facilities for people with disabilities. • Peelers Way is difficult to cross and would benefit from an underpass. • Problem with anti-social behaviour. • Problem with dog fouling. • Open spaces perceived as poorly maintained, littered, vandalised and graffitied. • Open spaces outside area that are well used include Borrowpit Lake, Tameside nature reserve, canal towpaths, Castle Grounds. Conclusions • Small self-contained neighbourhood that contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people and outdoor sports/recreation facilities, the latter in the form of Tamworth Football Club. Considering its size, there are a large number of amenity green spaces. It is deficient in allotments, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation.

• The amenity green spaces are concentrated along the western boundary of the neighbourhood, but because of its small size, all houses would be within walking distance of an amenity space.

• The area is built up and there are limited opportunities to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land. The amenity green spaces should be enhanced to clean them up, provide quality seating and landscaping and be maintained to a high standard. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Access by people with disabilities should be taken into consideration. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• Feedback mentioned a lack of children’s play facilities, but there are two existing play areas in the neighbourhood. There may be scope to improve the quality of the equipment and play experience.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood, but the allotment areas off Lichfield Road, Lud Lane, Chestnut Avenue and Glascote are within a short drive.

• With regard to parks/gardens, the Castle Grounds are within walking distance and residents state regular use of this space. Peelers Way was mentioned as an obstacle to pedestrians, so consideration should be given to facilitating access across.

With regard to urban green space, the neighbourhood is in close proximity to the Borrowpit and Tameside nature reserve and Egg Meadow, although as mentioned above, Peelers Way does provide an obstacle to pedestrians. The Coventry Canal passes through the neighbourhood at the south eastern corner, giving residents access to urban green space and green corridors. All of these spaces provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

45 Recommendations No new provision is proposed.

Enhance existing areas of amenity green space through better quality seating and maintenance and access for wheelchairs/pushchairs.

Discuss with Staffordshire County Council whether improvements could be made to pedestrian crossings on Peelers Way to make it easier for residents to access open spaces outside the neighbourhood.

Improve quality of play experience on existing play areas.

46 Neighbourhood 6 –North Fazeley

Area: 51.67 hectares Approximate population: 2781

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space n/o Aitken Close 0.13 4 ecological s/o Aitken Close 0.11 1 Sutton Avenue/Milo Crescent 0.64 4 Bitterscote Lane/County Drive 3.29 4 ecological, health County Drive/Cornwall Avenue 1.11 4 health Tamworth Road/County Drive 4.57 4 ecological Total actual provision 9.85 Required amount (based on 3.20 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +6.65

Children & young people Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.39 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.39

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.39 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.39

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.39 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.39

Urban green space Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 7.51 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -7.51

Outdoor sports/recreation Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 4.17 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -4.17

47

Feedback from public • Bitterscote Lane open space is well used by people in consultation neighbourhood, but there are complaints about broken glass and grass not being maintained frequently enough. The motorcycle gates are an obstacle to wheelchair users. • County Drive play area was vandalised, the equipment removed and never replaced. It also feels unsafe because it is not overlooked and the vegetation is overgrown. • Lack of good quality, well maintained and interesting play spaces. • Problem with dog fouling • Anti-social behaviour is a problem. • Lack of warden patrols. • Open spaces perceived as poorly maintained, vandalised and littered/dumped. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include the lake areas, Bitterscote South, Castle Grounds and canal towpaths. Conclusions • Self contained neighbourhood which only contains amenity green space, of which there is a surplus. It is deficient in all other types. The amenity spaces are fairly well distributed throughout the area so all houses would be within walking distance of an open space.

• There are limited opportunities to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing amenity spaces. These should be enhanced by a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, more regular mowing to create more usable areas, seating, good lighting and attractive landscaping. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• The issue of access to open spaces by people with disabilities should be addressed, although it is appreciated that there is a conflict between enabling access for wheelchairs/pushchairs and trying to restrict access to motorbikes.

• Although there are no play facilities in the neighbourhood, the Castle Grounds are within walking distance and most dwellings, with the exception of accommodation above the shops on Fazeley Road and flats on Willowbank, are houses with private gardens. Additional provision of public play facilities would not be a priority. Informal play can take place on the amenity green spaces, particularly County Drive and Bitterscote Lane.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood, but the allotment areas off Lichfield Road and Lud Lane are a short drive away.

• With regard to urban green space, the neighbourhood is in close proximity to the Borrowpit and Tameside nature reserve, the canal networks and open countryside to the north of Fazeley, which provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity. These areas of green space are easily accessed from the neighbourhood and residents have stated use of most of these areas.

48 • Although there are no formal outdoor sports pitches in the neighbourhood, the Bitterscote Lane/County Drive amenity green space is open in parts and would provide opportunities for an informal kickabout.

Recommendations No new provision is proposed.

Enhance existing areas of amenity green space through better quality seating, maintenance and access by wheelchairs and pushchairs.

49 Neighbourhood 7 – South Kettlebrook

Area: 61.89 hectares Approximate population: 3211

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Park Farm Road/Barnbridge 0.3 4 Park Farm Road/Tamworth Rd 1.27 4 Peelers Way/Park Farm Road 0.46 4 Peelers Way/Parkfield Crescent 1.05 4 Parkfield Crescent 0.11 2 Total actual provision 3.19 Required amount (based on 3.69 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.50

Children & young people Park Farm Road 1 4 health Broadsmeath 1 3 health Parkfield Crescent 1 4 health Total actual provision 3 Required amount (based on 1.61 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Surplus +1.39

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.61 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.61

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.61 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.61

Urban green space Peelers Way (2 sites) 1.53 2 ecological Total actual provision 1.53 Required amount (based on 8.67 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -7.14

50

Outdoor sports/recreation Mount Pleasant 0.85 3 Total actual provision 0.85 Required amount (based on 4.82 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -3.97

Feedback from public • Playground at the rear of Two Gates Primary School has a consultation general air of neglect and is vandalised and graffitied. There are few facilities and no seats. • Lack of warden patrols. • Lack of cycleways. • Lack of play facilities. • Lack of toilet facilities and seating. • Problem with dog fouling • Anti-social behaviour is also an issue, with youths intimidating younger children. • Open spaces are perceived as poorly maintained and littered. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include the canal towpaths, cyclepaths, Castle Grounds, Anker Valley pitches, Kettlebrook LNR

Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types apart from facilities for children/young people.

• Tamworth Road divides the neighbourhood into two. There are no open spaces on the eastern side of the neighbourhood and of the amenity green spaces on the west side, the two bordering the Tamworth Road/Peelers Way roundabout are little more than landscaped pedestrian routes and because of their location next to main roads, they cannot be used for informal recreation.

• There is a large Local Plan housing allocation in the neighbourhood (South of St. Peters Close), which has not yet received planning permission. Other than this site, there are limited opportunities to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing amenity spaces, particularly the Park Farm Road/Tamworth Road and the Parkfield Crescent spaces. These should be enhanced by a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, seating, good lighting and attractive landscaping. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• Permission was granted in 2006 for redevelopment of the old Two Gates Primary School for 39 dwellings (mixture of houses and flats). The houses will all have private gardens whereas the apartments will rely on the provision of on-site public open space.

• Feedback mentioned a lack of children’s play facilities, but there

51 are two existing play areas in the neighbourhood. There may be scope to improve the quality of the equipment and play experience. With the exception of a couple of nursing homes, most dwellings are houses with private gardens and providing additional public play facilities may not be a priority. Informal play can take place on the amenity green spaces.

• Although there are no parks/gardens in the neighbourhood, the Castle Grounds are within walking or cycling distance.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood, although the allotment areas off Lichfield Road, Lud Lane and in Glascote are a short drive away.

• There are two areas of urban green space within the neighbourhood and it is also close to the Tameside nature reserve immediately to the west. The Coventry Canal runs along the western boundary and provides links to open countryside. All spaces provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

Recommendations No new provision is proposed.

Enhance existing areas of amenity green space through better quality maintenance, landscaping and seating.

Enhance quality of existing play facilities.

52 Neighbourhood 8 – Two Gates and north Dosthill

Area: 90.95 hectares Approximate population: 3270

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Whiting/Dorado 0.35 3 ecological Grazier Avenue 0.26 3 Cobia 0.08 3 Gurnard 0.24 4 ecological Total actual provision 0.93 Required amount (based on 3.76 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.83

Children & young people Dosthill Park 1 4 ecological, health Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 1.64 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.64

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.64 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.64

Parks & gardens Dosthill Park 3.0 4 ecological, education, health Total actual provision 3.0 Required amount (based on 1.64 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +1.37

Urban green space East of Tame 5.0 4 ecological, health Dosthill Green Belt 9.45 4 ecological, health Total actual provision 14.45 Required amount (based on 8.83 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +5.52

53

Outdoor sports/recreation Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 4.91 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.)-4.92 Deficit -4.91

Feedback from public • Dosthill Park – there was no public consultation about the play consultation area being provided. Two opinions about what has been provided - welcomed and not stimulating enough. Would benefit from CCTV. • Lack of play spaces for children, including teenagers. No places for an informal kickabout due to the ‘no ball games’ signs. • Lack of attractive planting. • Lack of night time warden or police patrols. • Lack of safe cycle routes • Problem with dog fouling. A separate dog walking area should be set aside in Dosthill Park. • Problem with anti-social behaviour with youths intimidating children and older people. • Open spaces are perceived as poorly maintained, littered, vandalised and poorly lit. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include the Castle Grounds and fields around Dosthill. Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, parks/gardens and urban green space. It is deficient in all types except parks/gardens and urban green space. Apart from Dosthill Park and the surrounding urban green space, there is limited alternative open space. Most of the amenity green spaces are on the eastern side of the A51 on the Cottage Farm estate, whilst the park and urban green space are on the western side. The Blackwood Road estate does not contain any public open space but is within walking distance of Dosthill Park.

• There is one Local Plan housing allocation at Cottage Farm Road, which has yet to receive planning permission, but apart from this, there are limited opportunities to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land. The most should therefore be made of existing open spaces, particularly the amenity green spaces and Dosthill Park. These should be enhanced by a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, seating, good lighting and attractive landscaping. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• Neighbourhood benefits from the presence of Dosthill Park, although access from the eastern side of the neighbourhood is across the busy A51, however, the speed limit is reduced to 30 miles an hour along this road. The only formal facility is the children’s play area, the rest of the park is amenity grassland, which would provide opportunities for an informal kickabout and relaxation and would compensate for the lack of amenity green space in the neighbourhood. With regard to play opportunities

54 for older children, there are proposals to install ‘play boulders’ at the Park in 2007, which should provide a facility for more adventurous play. Most dwellings are houses with private gardens and providing additional public play facilities may be less of a priority. Informal play can take place on the amenity green spaces.

• In addition to the urban green space on the west side of the A51, the neighbourhood’s location on the edge of the urban area allow easy access to the open countryside and former quarries, which provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

• There is no outdoor sport/recreation facility within the neighbourhood, but there is a playing field off Hedging Lane a short distance away in Neighbourhood 9.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood and no alternatives south of the A5. The closest are at Deltic and Glascote, both of which are a short drive away.

Recommendations No new open space proposed.

Enhance existing areas of amenity green space and Dosthill Park through better quality maintenance, landscaping and seating.

55 Neighbourhood 9 – South Dosthill

Area: 51.86 hectares Approximate population: 2364

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space High Street/Rosebery Road 0.4 3 High Street/Ascot Drive 0.2 2 Harwood Ave/Lochsong Close 0.55 3 Rosebery Road 0.25 3 Total actual provision 1.40 Required amount (based on 2.72 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.32

Children & young people Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.18 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.18

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.18 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.18

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.18 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.18

Urban green space Slade Lane 0.23 2 ecological Rear of Felsted Close 0.25 1 ecological Total actual provision 0.48 Required amount (based on 6.38 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -5.9

Outdoor sports/recreation Dosthill Primary School 2.13 2 health Hedging Lane/Cadogan Road 3.05 3 health Total actual provision 5.18 Required amount (based on 3.55 population & borough standard

56 of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +1.63

Feedback from public • Dosthill playing fields – play area a good asset but underused. It consultation would benefit from having more natural areas and trees. • Dosthill Broom suffers from rubbish and dog fouling. Problem with anti-social behaviour. • Lack of play spaces for children. • Lack of seating • Lack of attractive open spaces in neighbourhood, have to travel by car to reach them in other areas. • Antisocial behaviour and dog fouling are both a problem. • Open space is perceived as unattractive, poorly maintained, vandalised and graffitied. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Dosthill Park, Tame Valley, Castle Grounds, Dosthill quarries/pools, Roundhills, canal towpaths. Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains only amenity green space, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types apart from outdoor sports/recreation. Most of the open space is located on the eastern side of the A51 on the relatively recently developed Sefton Road estate. The only open space on the western side of the A51 is a small area of urban green space.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces, which will be the amenity green spaces. These should be enhanced through high quality maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There is a lack of facilities for children/young people. However, there is a play area in Dosthill Park (neighbourhood 8), which is within walking distance. The majority of houses in the area have their own private gardens, so the need to provide a public play facility is not urgent. Informal play can take place on the amenity green spaces.

• The nearest park is Dosthill Park which is a short walking distance away to the north. The park would compensate for lack of amenity green space on the western side of the A51.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood and no alternatives south of the A5. The closest are at Deltic and Glascote, both of which are a short drive away.

Although there is limited open space within the neighbourhood, it is located on the edge of the urban area within easy access of open countryside, which provides opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity. Consultation results confirm that residents use these areas.

57

Recommendations No new open space is proposed.

Enhance existing open spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping and seating.

58 Neighbourhood 10 – South Wilnecote

Area: 53.16 hectares Approximate population: 3230

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Avon 0.43 4 Tamar Road 0.71 4 Total actual provision 1.14 Required amount (based on 3.71 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.57

Children & young people Adj. Wilnecote High School 1 1 health Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 1.62 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.62

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.62 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.62

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.62 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.62

Urban green space Freasley Lane 0.92 4 ecological Total actual provision 0.92 Required amount (based on 8.72 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -7.8

Outdoor sports/recreation Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 4.85 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -4.85

59

Feedback from • Poor maintenance of open spaces within Tamar estate public consultation • Lack of interesting play equipment • Open spaces are vandalised and littered • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Kettlebrook LNR, Hockley play area, countryside south of Gorsy Bank Road, Beauchamp Road park (area 11), Ninefoot Park (Area 13),

Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people and urban green space. It is deficient in all types. There is very little open space within the neighbourhood and what does exist, is in the southeastern part.

• There is limited scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces.

• There are two good sized amenity green spaces off Tamar Road, which would be enhanced by a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• With regard to a children’s play facility, there is some play equipment at Beauchamp Road and Dosthill Park in neighbourhoods 11 and 8 respectively. With the exception of the flats and maisonettes on Tinkers Green Road and Hastings Close, most other dwellings have private gardens, so there is less of an urgency to provide a public play facility. The blocks of flats/maisonettes are surrounded by areas of communal amenity space.

• The nearest park is at Dosthill, which could be reached on foot, but is more likely to be reached by car.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood and no alternatives south of the A5. The closest are at Deltic and Glascote, both of which are a short drive away.

• There is a small amount of urban green space in the neighbourhood on the periphery off Freasley Lane. To compensate for the lack of open space within the neighbourhood, the area has good access to open countryside south of Gorsy Bank Road and Overwoods Road. The Kettlebrook LNR lies immediately to the north and would compensate for the lack of green space in the northern part of the neighbourhood. Both provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity. Consultation results confirm that residents use these areas.

Recommendations No new open space is proposed.

Enhance existing open spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping and seating.

60 Neighbourhood 11 – Hockley and Wilnecote

Area: 86.92 hectares Approximate population: 2719

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space2 Parsons Street 0.45 3 Sycamore 2.13 1 ecological Beauchamp Road Park 0.64 3 ecological Beauchamp Road 0.19 3 Castle Road 0.15 3 Total actual provision 3.56 Required amount (based on 3.13 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +0.43

Children & young people Beauchamp Road park 1 3 Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 1.36 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.36

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.36 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.36

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.36 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.36

Urban green space Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.36 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.36

2 Neighbourhood now includes new housing areas at Peel Heights and Tame Valley Alloys but the new open space associated with this has not been included because it was not built at the time of survey.

61

Outdoor sports/recreation Wilnecote Junior School 0.91 health Wilnecote High School 4.58 4 economic, education, health Total actual provision 5.49 Required amount (based on 4.08 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +1.41

Feedback from • Sycamore Triangle suffers from dog fouling. public consultation • School playing fields are fenced in meaning that they are not generally available to the public. • Lack of play equipment • Lack of provision for people with disabilities • Lack of toilet facilities • Lack of interesting landscaping • Lack of seating • Lack of parking • Some footpaths need resurfacing • Anti-social behaviour and dog fouling are also a problem. • Open space is perceived as being littered and vandalised. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include the Castle Grounds, Kettlebrook LNR, Ninefoot Park, canal towpaths, Wilnecote pitch and putt

Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people and outdoor sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types apart from amenity green space and outdoor sports/recreation. The amenity green space is fairly evenly distributed through the neighbourhood, so that most dwellings are within walking distance of a green space.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing amenity green spaces. This should involve high quality maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Access to open spaces by people in wheelchairs and with pushchairs should be considered. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There is an existing play area on the Beauchamp Road park and there may be scope to enhance the quality of the equipment.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood and no alternatives south of the A5. The closest are at Deltic and Glascote, both of which are a short drive away.

• There is no park/garden on the eastern side of the borough, the nearest is at Dosthill, which could be reached on foot.

• The neighbourhood is on the edge of the urban area with good

62 access to open countryside south of Gorsy Bank Road and Overwoods Road; the Kettlebrook LNR is also within walking distance. All provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

• Wilnecote Junior School has football pitches, which it makes available for public use out of school hours. Information is not available for Wilnecote High School.

Recommendations No new open space is proposed.

Enhance existing open spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping, seating and access by wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Enhance quality of play equipment at Beauchamp Road park.

63 Neighbourhood 12 – North Wilnecote

Area: 52.07 hectares Approximate population: 1837

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Watling Street/Glascote Lane 0.3 Orkney Drive 0.72 ecological Brook Avenue 0.36 Total actual provision 1.38 Required amount (based on 2.11 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.73

Children & young people Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.92 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.92

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.92 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.92

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.92 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.92

Urban green space Birds Bush Road 9.9 4 ecological Total actual provision 9.9 Required amount (based on 4.96 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +4.94

Outdoor sports/recreation Brambling/Brook Avenue 1.64 4 health Total actual provision 1.64 Required amount (based on 2.76 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.12

64

Feedback from public • Brook Avenue – youths congregating on open space are consultation intimidating to residents • BMX bikes and motorised vehicles are problematic, being a nuisance and spoiling vegetation • Lack of warden patrols • There is a lack of seating • Dog fouling is a problem. • Open spaces perceived as being littered, vandalised and unsafe. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Castle Grounds, Ninefoot Park, canal towpaths, continuation of Kettlebrook LNR Cyclepaths are not extensive enough. Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, urban green space and outdoor sport/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types apart from urban green space. The open spaces are concentrated at the western end of the neighbourhood, although the Birds Bush Road urban green space can be reached fairly easily by foot from the Stonydelph Lane/Lakeland Drive estate.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing amenity green space and urban green space at Brook Avenue and Birds Bush Road. This should involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There are no facilities for children/young people and antisocial behaviour has been reported by residents, particularly at Brook Avenue. Most houses have their own private gardens so the need to provide a public play facility may not be a priority. A more adventurous play facility for older children could be provided at Orkney Drive or Birds Bush Road, which forms part of the Kettlebrook LNR.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood. The closest are at Deltic and Glascote. Deltic can be reached on foot via the Glascote Lane pedestrian bridge.

• There are no parks/gardens on the eastern side of the borough. The nearest park is Dosthill Park but although it is not far as the crow flies, it is located west of the Birmingham – Derby railway line, which makes direct access without a car difficult.

• The Birds Bush Road urban green space links to the wider Kettlebrook LNR, both north and south of Watling Street. This gives people the opportunity to walk or cycle to other parts of the borough and the open countryside. These provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

Recommendations No new open space is proposed.

Enhance open spaces at Brook Avenue and Birds Bush Road through better maintenance, attractive landscaping and seating.

65

Consider installing a play facility at Orkney Drive or Birds Bush Road.

Investigate a park for the eastern side of the borough.

66 Neighbourhood 13 – East Belgrave

Area: 67.71 hectares Approximate population: 2301

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Glascote Lane/Birds Bush Rd 2.87 4 ecological, education, health Ninefoot Lane 1.51 3 ecological, health Purbrook/Romney 0.67 4 ecological Marlborough Way/Wilnecote 1.03 2 Lane Wilnecote Lane/Marlborough 0.31 3 ecological Way Birds Bush Road/Marlborough 0.13 4 Way Total actual provision 6.52 Required amount (based on 2.65 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +3.87

Children & young people Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.15 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.15

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.15 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.15

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.15 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.15

Urban green space Birds Bush Road 9.05 4 ecological Total actual provision 9.05 Required amount (based on 6.21 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +2.84

Outdoor sports/recreation Ninefoot Lane 0.66 2 health

67 Glascote Lane/Ninefoot Lane 0.82 4 economic, ecological, health Birds Bush Primary School 1.18 health Belgrave High School 7.8 economic, health Total actual provision 10.46 Required amount (based on 3.45 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +7.01

Feedback from public • Ninefoot Park – play area has been removed because of consultation vandalism and has not been replaced. There should be gates on the park to prevent access at night • Lakes areas – water is dirty and full of rubbish and algae and the banks are eroded. Fishing lines are left in the streams and lakes. • Underpasses are a focal point for anti-social behaviour (Rothay/Nymet). Need a safe alternative to underpasses. • Lack of play facilities, nothing for the under 10’s • Antisocial behaviour is a problem, youths on bikes and motorcycles are intimidating • Lack of seating • Lack of warden patrols • Burnt out cars are a problem • Dog fouling is a problem • Paths are stony and uneven, making them difficult for pushchairs to negotiate • Open spaces are perceived as poorly maintained, vandalised, graffitied, littered and poorly lit. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Castle Grounds, Torc High School, canal towpaths, Kettlebrook LNR.

Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, urban green space and outdoor sport/recreation facilities. For a small area it contains a relatively large amount of open space, but much of this is school playing fields and urban green space. It is deficient in facilities for children/young people, allotments and parks/gardens.

• All parts of the neighbourhood are within walking distance of an open space.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing amenity green space and urban green space. This should involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit. Measures to prevent access by motorbikes and cars may conflict with measures to improve access by wheelchairs and pushchairs.

• The nearest play area is adjacent to Wilnecote High School and whilst this would involve crossing the busy Watling Street, there

68 is a pedestrian crossing to assist. Most dwellings have their own private gardens, although the houses on Birds Bush Road have smaller gardens and for this reason, some form of play facility for younger children could be located within the Birds Bush Road urban green space or the amenity green spaces on Ninefoot Lane and Glascote Lane/Birds Bush Road. The Birds Bush Road urban green space would be a better location for a more adventurous play facility.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood, but the allotment areas at Deltic and Glascote are nearby. The former can be accessed on foot via the pedestrian bridge over the A5, Glascote allotments are a short drive away.

• The nearest park/garden is Dosthill Park, which although not far as the crow flies, is located west of the Birmingham – Derby railway line, which makes direct access without a car difficult.

• In terms of urban green space, there is an extensive area along the northern boundary of the neighbourhood in the form of Birds Bush Road urban green space, which forms part of the wider Kettlebrook LNR. This provides residents with the opportunity to walk and cycle to other parts of the borough and open countryside. The lakes and streams would benefit from being cleaned up, paths surfaced and measures to prevent access by motorbikes and cars. As highlighted above, this may conflict with the wish to improve access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

• The public consultation revealed that school playing fields are not open to the public, however, Belgrave High School makes various outdoor sports facilities available outside school hours – tennis courts, football pitches and multi-use games area.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance existing open space through better maintenance, attractive landscaping, seating and access for people with disabilities.

Consideration should be given to a suitable location for imaginative children’s play facilities around Ninefoot Lane/Glascote Lane or Birds Bush Road urban green space.

Investigate a park for the eastern side of the borough.

Improve environment of underpasses to make them more attractive to use.

69 Neighbourhood 14 – West Belgrave

Area: 35.36 hectares Approximate population: 2388

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Field Farm Road/Cringlebrook 0.59 4 ecological Bramber 0.07 4 ecological, health Medina 0.64 3 Marlborough Way/Irwell 1.21 3 Field Farm Road 0.1 4 Total actual provision 2.61 Required amount (based on 2.75 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.14

Children & young people Field Farm Road 1 3 health Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 1.19 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.19

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.19 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.19

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.19 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.19

Urban green space Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 6.45 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -6.45

Outdoor sports/recreation Hanbury’s Farm Primary School 0.82 health Total actual provision 0.82 Required amount (based on 3.58 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.)

70 Deficit -2.76

Feedback from public • Lack of play areas and stimulating equipment for children consultation • Lack of warden patrols • Antisocial behaviour is a problem with intimidating youths • Lack of seating • School playing fields not open out of hours because of vandalism, so not available to community • Paths are poorly maintained • Dog fouling is a problem • Open spaces are perceived as poorly maintained, littered, vandalised, graffitied and poorly lit. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include lakes areas in Kettlebrook LNR, Castle Grounds, Dosthill Park and woods.

Conclusions • This relatively small neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people and outdoor sport/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types although all houses are within walking distance of existing amenity green spaces.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of existing amenity green space, particularly the Field Farm Road/Cringlebrook space, which is probably the most usable. Most of these spaces consist of mown grass with informal tree and shrub planting and do not have any particular facilities. This should involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood, but the allotment areas at Deltic and Glascote are within a short drive. The Deltic allotments could be reached via the pedestrian bridge over the A5.

• The nearest park/garden is Dosthill Park, which although not far as the crow flies, is located west of the Birmingham – Derby railway line, which makes direct access difficult.

• There are additional outdoor sports/recreation facilities, amenity green spaces and urban green space to the east of Marlborough Way in eastern Belgrave. Ensure that pedestrian crossing points are safe.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance existing open space through better maintenance, attractive landscaping and seating.

71 Neighbourhood 15 - South Bolehall

Area: 39.55 hectares Approximate population: 1866

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space McGregor Park 1.48 3 Total actual provision 1.48 Required amount (based on 2.15 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.67

Children & young people Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.93 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.93

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.93 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.93

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.93 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.93

Urban green space Amington Road/railway viaduct 0.32 2 ecological Total actual provision 0.32 Required amount (based on 5.04 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -4.72

Outdoor sports/recreation William McGregor Primary 0.44 health School Total actual provision 0.44 Required amount (based on 2.8 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.36

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Feedback from public • McGregor Park – the landscaping is poorly maintained and it consultation suffers from dog fouling and litter. There is antisocial behaviour and a lack of warden patrols. It would benefit from some play equipment. Motorbikes are also a problem. • Lack of play spaces. • Lack of suitable wheelchair access to canal towpath. • Lack of seating and toilet facilities • Antisocial behaviour is a problem, teenagers are intimidating. • Dog fouling is a problem. • Open space is perceived as vandalised, littered, graffitied and poorly lit. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Tamworth football grounds, Castle Grounds, Lichfield Road allotments, canal towpaths, walks alongside rivers, tennis courts Conclusions • Small neighbourhood containing amenity green space, urban green space and outdoor sport/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types. All parts of the neighbourhood are within walking distance of open space.

• There are very few open spaces in the neighbourhood and very little scope to increase the amount through new development or use of underused land so the most should be made of McGregor Park as the only area of amenity green space. This consists primarily of mown grass with informal tree and shrub planting and does not have any particular facilities. The park should be enhanced through a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit. The park may also be a suitable location for a children’s play facility.

• There are few flats in the neighbourhood and most houses have some private garden space. Providing a public play facility may not therefore be high priority. The closest play facilities are in the town centre and neithbourhood 5, all of which are within walking distance. There are few play facilities in Bolehall or Amington so consideration could be given to providing one in this broad area. Within this neighbourhood, McGregor Park would be the most suitable location for a play facility.

• Although there are no parks/gardens within the neighbourhood, it is close to the town centre and within walking distance of the Castle Grounds via a network of paths and cycleways.

• Urban green space in the form of Egg Meadow and Warwickshire Moor are both within walking distance. The Coventry Canal passes along the eastern boundary, which provides opportunities to access the canal network and countryside beyond the borough boundary.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood, but the allotment areas at Deltic, Glascote, Lichfield Road, Lud Lane and Amington are all within a 10 minute drive away.

• In terms of outdoor sports facilities, the school field at William

73 MacGregor Primary School is available for hire.

Recommendations No new open space is proposed.

Enhance McGregor Park through better maintenance, attractive landscaping. Consider a children’s play facility in this location.

74 Neighbourhood 16 - Bolehall

Area: 51.31 hectares Approximate population: 1762

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Dormer Avenue 0.13 3 Bridgewater Street/Marlow Rd 1.26 1 Whitley Avenue 1.5 4 Total actual provision 2.89 Required amount (based on 2.03 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +0.86

Children & young people Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.88 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.88

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.88 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.88

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.88 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.88

Urban green space Warwickshire Moor 17.94 4 ecological Whitley Avenue 1.1 4 Total actual provision 19.04 Required amount (based on 4.76 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +14.28

Outdoor sports/recreation Rene Road football pitch 2.24 3 ecological, health Bolehall Swifts football ground 0.91 4 health Total actual provision 3.98 Required amount (based on 2.64 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.)

75 Surplus +1.34

Feedback from public • Most used open spaces in area – Bolehall pitches, canal consultation towpath, Bolehall children’s park, Warwickshire Moor, riverside paths. • Warwickshire Moor – motorbikes are a nuisance and noisy, dumped cars are set alight, there is a lack of signage and information and railway contractors leave rubbish behind. The area is also poorly maintained. It could provide a safe play area – the nature conservation interest should be left to the floodplain. • Bolehall children’s park – the play equipment has been vandalised and removed, resulting in a lack of children’s play space. • Dog fouling is a problem • Lack of children’s play space • Antisocial behaviour is a problem • Open space is perceived as being vandalised and graffitied. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include the Castle Grounds, golf course, Anker Moor, riverside paths, McGregor Park.

Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, urban green space and outdoor sport/recreation facilities. It is deficient in facilities for children/young people, allotments and parks/gardens. The southern part of the Warwickshire Moor is included and this, together with the playing fields off Rene Road means that a large proportion of the neighbourhood is open space. All parts of the neighbourhood would be within walking distance of existing open space.

• There are very few open spaces in the neighbourhood and there is little scope to increase the amount through new development or use of underused land. Part of the playing fields may be lost to the Anker Valley Link Road and Amington Link Phase II and would have to be replaced elsewhere.

• Although there are no parks/gardens within the neighbourhood, it is close to the town centre and within walking distance of the Castle Grounds. A good network of paths and cycleways link the neighbourhood with the town centre.

• The Warwickshire Moor is part of the Wild About Tamworth project and works are underway to create new habitats and involve the community. Other urban green space in the form of Egg Meadow is within easy walking distance of the residential areas. The Coventry Canal passes along the south eastern corner, which provides opportunities to access the canal network and countryside beyond the borough boundary. The open countryside of the Anker Valley and northern part of the Warwickshire Moor lie to the north of the West Coast Mainline.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood but facilities in Glascote, Deltic, Amington, Lichfield Road, Chestnut Avenue and Lud Lane are all within a 10 minute drive away.

• There are not really any suitable locations facilities for

76 children/young people because all the spaces of a suitable size are either playing fields or of nature conservation importance. There are few flats in the area and most houses will have private garden space. The provision of a public play facility would not therefore be urgent.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

77 Neighbourhood 17 - Glascote

Area: 67.03 hectares Approximate population: 3168

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Marlborough Way (4 sites) 0.84 3 Hillman 0.28 3 ecological Abbey Road 3.19 3 Total actual provision 4.31 Required amount (based on 3.64 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +0.67

Children & young people Kettlebrook Park 1 4 health Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 1.58 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.58

Allotments Glascote WMC allotments 0.39 4 ecological, health Total actual provision 0.39 Required amount (based on 1.58 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.19

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.58 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.58

Urban green space Kettlebrook Park 10.53 2 ecological Total actual provision 10.53 Required amount (based on 8.55 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +1.98

Outdoor sports/recreation Lakeside Primary School 1.96 4 ecological, education Total actual provision 1.96 Required amount (based on 4.75 population & borough standard

78 of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.79

Feedback from public • Abbey Road open space – suffers from dog fouling and consultation discarded drug needles are a hazard. The paths need improving and a direct access to the canal would be beneficial (this is not on the towpath side of the canal). • Belgrave Lakes – suffers from litter, dumping, vandalism and dog fouling. There is a problem with antisocial behaviour with youths congregating. The area is poorly lit and rarely cleaned. There are no warden patrols. • Lack of facilities and access to open spaces for people with disabilities. • Lack of facilities for teenagers such as a ball court or football pitch. • Lack of facilities for younger children – needs to be good quality, cheap, safe and well maintained. • Lack of seating and toilet facilities. • Problem with dog fouling and unleashed dogs. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include McGregor Park, Castle Grounds, canal towpaths, Glascote Rec.

Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, allotments, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation, all types in fact apart from parks/gardens. It is deficient in all apart from amenity green space and urban green space. These spaces are continuous with each other along the western and southern boundaries. All parts of the neighbourhood are within walking distance of open space.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or the use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. Efforts should be focussed on the amenity green space off Abbey Road and the Kettlebrook LNR urban green space. Enhancements would involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Consideration could also be given to ensuring that the spaces can be accessed by wheelchairs and pushchairs. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• With regard to the lack of play facilities, there are few flats in the neighbourhood and most houses have their own private gardens. The need to provide a public play area is not a priority. There is already a play facility in the Kettlebrook LNR, which could be enhanced.

• Much of the Abbey Road amenity green space is open and not planted up. This would allow for an informal kickabout.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood. The closest are at Deltic, Amington and Glascote, all of which are a short drive away.

79 • Although there are no parks/gardens within the neighbourhood, it is close to the town centre and within walking distance of the Castle Grounds. A good network of paths and cycleways connects the neighbourhood with the town centre.

• The Coventry Canal passes along the western boundary, which provides opportunities to access the canal network and countryside beyond the borough boundary. This will enable additional opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance existing amenity green space off Abbey Road and Kettlebrook LNR through better maintenance, attractive landscaping, improved play equipment and access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

80 Neighbourhood 18 – Amington/north Glascote

Area: 53.61 hectares Approximate population: 3089

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score

Amenity green space Rosemary Rd/St. George’s Way 0.36 3 Abbey Road/Glascote Road 0.29 3 Tudor Crescent 0.26 4 Total actual provision 0.91 Required amount (based on 3.55 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.64

Children & young people Rosemary Rd/St. George’s Way 1 3 Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 1.54 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.54

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 1.54 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.54

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 0.54 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.54

Urban green space North of cemetery 0.35 3 ecological Total actual provision 0.35 Required amount (based on 8.34 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -7.99

Outdoor sports/recreation Woodlands Primary 2.51 health School/Glascote Rec. Total actual provision 2.51 Required amount (based on 4.63 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.12 81

Feedback from public • Rosemary Road park – play area is too small, equipment needs consultation replacing, it is poorly lit, planting is overgrown, the dog bins are not emptied enough and the grassed areas are in a poor condition. • Lack of seating and toilet facilities • Lack of warden patrols • Lack of play spaces and holiday activities for children • Lack of activities for young people • Open spaces are perceived as poorly maintained, vandalised and graffitied • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include canal towpaths, Castle Grounds, golf course, Amington Green, McGregor Park, Lady Meadow, Anker Valley pitches Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types.

• Apart from the cemetery and Woodlands Primary School playing field, there are only three small amenity green spaces. They are within walking distance of the whole neighbourhood, but are only large enough for a sitting area, a small play area and some landscaping.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or the use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. Efforts should be focussed on improving the amenity green spaces at Rosemary Road and Tudor Crescent through a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Consideration could also be given to ensuring that the spaces can be accessed by wheelchairs and pushchairs. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There is one play facility at the Rosemary road open space, but comments point towards a need for improvements to equipment, landscaping and seating.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood. The closest are at Amington, Deltic and Glascote. The Amington and Glascote allotments can be reached on foot, whilst Deltic is a short drive away.

• Although there are no parks/gardens within the neighbourhood, it is close to the town centre and within walking distance of the Castle Grounds.

• Woodlands Community Primary School makes the football pitch available for public use outside school hours.

• The Coventry Canal passes along the western boundary, which provides opportunities to access the canal network and countryside beyond the borough boundary. The Abbey Road and Kettlebrook LNR lie to the south in neighbourhood 17 and there is a large area of amenity green space in neighbourhood

82 10, all of which are within walking distance. This will enable additional opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance existing Rosemary Road amenity green space through better maintenance, attractive landscaping, improved play equipment and access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

83 Neighbourhood 19 – Amington and Amington Fields

Area: 90.73 hectares Approximate population: 4600

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Florendine Street Rec. 1.0 2 ecological Trefoil (part) 0.22 3 ecological Monks Way 0.25 4 Amington Green 0.26 4 ecological Brancaster Close 1.85 4 Total actual provision 3.58 Required amount (based on 5.29 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.71

Children & young people 2 Trefoil 1 Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 2.3 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.3

Allotments Amington Allotments 0.52 4 health Total actual provision 0.52 Required amount (based on 2.30 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.78

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.30 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.30

Urban green space Emberton Way 1.86 4 ecological Hodge Lane LNR 3.4 5 ecological Total actual provision 5.26 Required amount (based on 12.42 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -7.16

84

Outdoor sports/recreation Greenacres Primary School 0.98 health Florendine Primary School 0.97 health Total actual provision 1.95 Required amount (based on 6.9 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -4.95

Feedback from public • Canal towpath – suffers from litter and dog fouling and the canal consultation bridges are graffitied. Access is difficult for wheelchair users. Bridge at Florendine Street is overgrown and dumped on (Sharpe Street?). The Amington Fields development has closed off some of the access points. • Amington Rec. on Florendine Street is neglected, vandalised and poorly maintained. Play equipment has been removed. It is enclosed on all sides and for this reason it does not feel safe. • Brancaster Close – littered, poorly maintained landscaping • Cyclepaths are poorly surfaced, overgrown and eroded. • Lack of play area in Amington village and Amington Fields • Lack of activities for older children – no ball games signs deter informal kickabout. • Difficult access for people in wheelchairs. • Lack of seating. • Lack of planting. • Dog fouling is a problem. • Antisocial behaviour is a problem. Teenagers congregate around playing fields and drive around Anker Valley car parks at night • Lack of warden patrols. • Generally, open spaces perceived as littered, vandalised and graffitied. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Castle Grounds, Anker Valley, Strykers skate park, Warwickshire Moor, Snowdome lakes, Wilnecote cricket ground, Bolehall pitches, golf course

Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, allotments, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation. Although there are a fair number of individual sites, it is deficient in all types. There are open spaces in Amington and Amington Fields. All dwellings would be within walking distance of some form of open space.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or the use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. Efforts should be focussed on improving all the amenity green spaces and the urban green space off Emberton Way. This would involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Consideration could also be given to ensuring that the spaces can be accessed by wheelchairs and pushchairs. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

85

• The Amington Rec. on Florendine Street is a relatively large open space and is well placed within the neighbourhood. It has the potential to fulfil a number of functions besides amenity green space because it is not heavily planted up. However, because it is enclosed by housing and thick hedges on all sides and not overlooked, people are reluctant to use it. Play equipment has been vandalised and there are currently no facilities. It could be used for informal recreation, children’s play and there may be scope for a wildlife area. Reducing the height of the hedges would ensure some natural surveillance.

• Although there is a play area at the Trefoil amenity green space on Amington Heath, residents have commented on a lack of play facilities in Amington and Amington Fields. The Amington Rec. and Brancaster Close would be the most suitable locations for a children’s play facility.

• There are two areas of urban green space within the neighbourhood, Emberton Way and part of the Hodge Lane LNR. The remainder of the Hodge Lane LNR lies immediately to the east in neighbourhood 20. The Coventry Canal runs through the neighbourhood and is well used by residents. It provides opportunities for informal recreation and the ability to access the open countryside outside the borough. The neighbourhood is on the edge of the urban area with relatively easy access across the West Coast Mainline to the Anker Valley.

• The Anker Valley pitches are located to the north of the West Coast Mainline and are within walking distance of the neighbourhood.

• The Amington allotments are located in the neighbourhood. There are additional allotments at Deltic and Glascote, both of which are a short drive away.

• There are no parks/gardens on the eastern side of the borough. The Castle Grounds are used by residents and residents at the western end of the neighbourhood would be able to walk into town. It would be beneficial to investigate a potential site for a park to serve the eastern side of the borough.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance all existing amenity green spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping, improved play equipment and access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Investigate the future use of the Amington Rec. in consultation with residents.

Enhance equipment on Trefoil play area.

Investigate a park/garden for east side of borough.

86 Neighbourhood 20 – Amington Heath

Area: 93.14 hectares Approximate population: 4442

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Trefoil (part) 0.08 3 ecological Kerria Centre/Woodland Road 5.29 3 ecological Kerria Road/Mercian Way 0.39 3 Woodland Road/Glascote Road 4.34 4 ecological Quince Tree School playing 1.63 health field Glascote Road/Briar 1.18 3 Spruce 0.43 4 ecological Total actual provision 13.34 Required amount (based on 5.11 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +8.23

Children & young people Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.22 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.22

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.22 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.22

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.22 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.22

Urban green space St. Andrews 0.57 4 ecological Hodge Lane LNR 1.9 4 ecological Total actual provision 2.47 Required amount (based on 11.99 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -9.52

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Outdoor sports/recreation Woodland High School 6.33 4 economic, education, heatlh Amington Heath/Quince Tree 0.98 health Schools Total actual provision 7.31 Required amount (based on 6.66 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +0.65

Feedback from public • Foxglove - suffers from vandalism, graffiti and dog fouling. It consultation is poorly maintained and lit and does not have enough seating. The paths are poor. Antisocial behaviour is a problem with teenagers taking drugs, drinking, riding motorbikes and intimidating people. • Trefoil - poorly maintained and lacking in play equipment. Suffers from vandalism, graffiti, antisocial behaviour and dog fouling. Lighting is poor, there is a lack of seating, litter bins toilet facilities and parking is poor. • Greenheart - it is not overlooked and therefore feels unsafe. No facilities. • Antisocial behaviour is a problem - intimidating, drug taking, using air guns and driving motorbikes. • Lack of warden patrols. • Lack of park - the town centre is too far. • Lack of facilities for children and young people. • Generally open spaces perceived as poorly maintained and lacking in all year round interest in terms of planting • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Hodge Lane, canal towpaths, Castle Grounds, park on St. George’s Way, Borrowpit Lake, Anker Valley, golf course. Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all apart from amenity green space and outdoor sport/recreation.

• The Amington Heath estate enclosed by Kerria Road, Woodlands Road and Mercian Way is the least well served by open space. It is probably the most densely developed part of the neighbourhood, so access to good quality open spaces is important. However, with the exception of Spruce amenity green space, Amington Heath has few internal open spaces and there is no scope within this area to increase the amount. The areas around Woodland Road, Carnoustie and Eagle Drive have more extensive areas of open space close by.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or the use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. Efforts should be focussed on improving all the amenity green spaces. This would involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Consideration could also be given to ensuring that the spaces can be accessed by wheelchairs and pushchairs.

88 Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• It would be difficult to exclude motorbikes from the Foxglove open space (part of the Kerria Centre/Woodland Road amenity green space) because of the large number of access points.

• The majority of residents do not use allotments but if needed, the Amington allotments are within walking distance and additional facilities are located close by in Glascote and at Deltic.

• There are no play facilities within the neighbourhood, although the Trefoil amenity green space that straddles this and neighbourhood 19 contains a play area. The fact that houses in this area have smaller private gardens, means that provision of a high quality well equipped area is important. Investigate the quality of the Trefoil play area. Some form of play facility could be located on the Kerria Centre/Woodland Road amenity green space.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood, but facilities are available nearby at Amington. Deltic and Glascote allotments are also within a short distance.

• There are no parks/gardens on the eastern side of the borough. The Castle Grounds are used by residents although for most people, it would involve a car or bus journey. It would be beneficial to investigate a potential site for a park to serve the eastern side of the borough.

• With regard to urban green space, the neighbourhood is on the edge of the urban area with relatively easy access to open countryside to the east and the Coventry Canal. The remainder of the Hodge Lane LNR lies immediately to the north and the canal network is within easy reach.

• Woodlands Business and Enterprise College has a wide variety of outdoor sports facilities that it makes available to the public outside school hours.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance all existing amenity green spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping and improved access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Enhance Trefoil play area.

Investigate a park/garden for east side of borough.

89 Neighourhood 21 – Glascote Heath

Area: 88.53 hectares Approximate population: 5027

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Hawksworth 0.82 2 Collett (part) 2.5 3 ecological, health Cambrian 0.35 3 Castlehall 0.15 4 Caledonian 0.4 2 Marlborough Way 1.83 3 Total actual provision 6.05 Required amount (based on 5.78 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit +0.27

Children & young people Oakhill Primary School 1 3 Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 2.51 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.51

Allotments Deltic allotments 1.1 3 ecological Total actual provision 1.1 Required amount (based on 2.51 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.41

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.51 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.51

Urban green space Goldsborough/Fossdale Road 0.2 4 ecological Kirtley Woods 1.62 3 ecological Total actual provision 1.82 Required amount (based on 13.57 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -11.75

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Outdoor sports/recreation Torc High School 3.02 3 health Sports Stadium 3.34 4 economic, education, health Hawksworth/Glascote Heath 1.52 health Deltic Football pitch (part) 1.15 3 health Glascote Heath Primary School 0.94 health Oakhill Primary School 0.75 4 health Collett sports pitch 0.07 1 health Total actual provision 10.79 Required amount (based on 7.54 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +3.25

Feedback from public • Bumpy and adjacent football pitches - scramble and quad consultation bikes cause problems. Dog fouling a problem. • Play park near St. Peter’s Church - dirty, full of broken glass, poorly maintained • Glascote Heath Park (near Oakhill School) - unsafe and dirty • Underpasses - should be closed off as full of teenagers in the evenings • Dog fouling is a problem. • Antisocial behaviour is a problem - youths annoy and intimidate residents, drink, damage trees, set fires and drop litter. • Lack of facilities for children and teenagers. No football allowed and no holiday activities so children bored. • Lack of warden patrols. • Lack of proper park. • Lack of seating and toilet facilities. • Open spaces perceived as vandalised, littered and poorly maintained and lit. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Castle Grounds, canal towpaths, Green Lane

Conclusions • Compact neighbourhood containing amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, allotments, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types apart from amenity green space and outdoor sports/recreation. The larger areas of open space are located around the edge of the neighbourhood and most dwellings are within walking distance of some form of open space.

• The area known as The Bumpy, which runs down the eastern boundary of the neighbourhood and comprises amenity green space, outdoor sport/recreation facilities and urban green space is ‘shared’ with adjoining neighbourhood 22 (western Stonydelph).

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or the use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. Efforts should be focussed on improving all the amenity green spaces. This

91 would involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Consideration could also be given to ensuring that the spaces can be accessed by wheelchairs and pushchairs. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be suitably surfaced and well lit.

• There is one children’s play facility at Oakhill Primary School. Residents report a lack of facilities for children of all ages. There is a play area in the adjacent west Stonydelph neighbourhood on Crowden Road which is within walking distance.

• There are allotments within the neighbourhood at Deltic and there are additional allotments in Amington and Glascote, both of which are a short drive away.

• There are no parks/gardens on the eastern side of the borough. The Castle Grounds are used by residents, but are not really within walking distance. It would be beneficial to investigate a potential site for a park to serve the eastern side of the borough.

• Torc High School has a wide variety of pitches and courts that it makes available to the public outside school hours.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance all existing amenity green spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping, improved play equipment and access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Investigate a park/garden for east side of borough.

92 Neighbourhood 22 – West Stonydelph

Area: 87.51 hectares Approximate population: 4144

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Pennine Way/Pennymoor Road 1.52 4 Ribblesdale/Rainscar (2 sites) 0.18 4 Goldsborough/Fossdale Road 1.28 4 Collett 3.31 3 ecological, health Fossdale Road 0.54 4 Pennymoor Road 0.14 4 health Total actual provision 6.97 Required amount (based on 4.77 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +2.2

Children & young people Crowden Road 1 4 health Total actual provision 1 Required amount (based on 2.07 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.07

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.07 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.07

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.07 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.07

Urban green space Hawkside/Pennymoor Road 7.69 4 ecological, health Goldsborough/Fossdale Road 8.78 4 ecological Total actual provision 16.47 Required amount (based on 11.19 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Surplus +5.28

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Outdoor sports/recreation Deltic football pitch (part) 1.15 3 health Stonydelph Junior & Infants 2.04 health The Dales School playing field 1.67 health Total actual provision 4.86 Required amount (based on 6.22 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.36

Feedback from public • Lakes – poorly maintained, dirty, smelly and overgrown consultation • Stonydelph Park – vandalised and suffers from anti-social behaviour which is intimidating • Pennymoor Road and Pennine Way open spaces – are not enclosed and are therefore dangerous for children from a road safety point of view. Also dirty and full of dog mess. • Football pitches – lack of changing and toilet facilities • Gladiator play area – vandalised, unsafe and littered • Cycleways are poorly maintained and lit • Footpaths are poorly maintained and overgrown • Motorbikes and off-road vehicles spoil some of the open spaces. Cars are also burnt out. • Dog fouling and violent dogs are a problem • Lack of council run fishing lakes with tuition for children • Lack of warden patrols • Open spaces are perceived as poorly maintained, littered, vandalised, dirty and poorly lit. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Kettlebrook LNR and other lake areas towards town centre, canal towpaths, Amington football pitches, Glascote Heath park, Robey’s Lane

Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types apart from amenity green space and urban green space. The distribution of this open space, which runs down the western boundary, along the southern boundary and cuts up between the Fossdale Road and Pennymoor Road areas means that most houses are within walking distance of open space.

• The area known as The Bumpy, which runs down the western boundary of the neighbourhood and comprises amenity green space, outdoor sport/recreation facilities and urban green space is ‘shared’ with adjoining neighbourhood 21 (Glascote Heath).

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or the use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. Efforts should be focussed on improving all the amenity green spaces and urban green spaces. This would involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Consideration could also be given to ensuring that the spaces can be accessed by wheelchairs and

94 pushchairs. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be appropriately surfaced and well lit.

• Residents report problems with motorbikes and cars spoiling open space. However, the areas of open space are extensive and have multiple access points and it would be virtually impossible to prevent access.

• There is one play area off Crowden Road, however, there is nothing in the southern and eastern parts of the neighbourhood. The Kettlebrook LNR would be a good location for some form of play facility, perhaps a more adventurous type.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood. The closest are at Deltic, Glascote and Amington. The Deltic allotments are within walking distance and the other two are a short drive away.

• The urban green space forms part of the Kettlebrook LNR, which provides the opportunity for residents to access other parts of the LNR, canal towpaths and open countryside beyond. This gives opportunuties for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

• There are no parks/gardens on the eastern side of the borough. The Castle Grounds are used by residents but they are not easily reached on foot. It would be beneficial to investigate a potential site for a park to serve the eastern side of the borough.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance all existing amenity green spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping and access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Consider play facility within the Kettlebrook LNR.

Investigate a park/garden for east side of borough.

95 Neighbourhood 23 – East Stonydelph

Area: 90.12 hectares Approximate population: 4962

Open space types Site area (ha) Quality score Wider benefits

Amenity green space Brendon 0.5 2 Chiltern Road/Stonydelph Lane 0.09 3 Mendip Way 0.1 3 Mendip Way/Maldale 0.18 3 ecological Broadlee 1.12 3 ecological, health Mellwaters/Low Force 0.2 3 Litton/Malham road 0.18 3 Malham Road/Murton 0.98 4 ecological, health Marsett 0.5 4 Total actual provision 3.85 Required amount (based on 5.71 population & borough standard of 1.15 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -1.86

Children & young people Brendon 1 2 Malham Road/Murton 1 3 Total actual provision 2 Required amount (based on 2.48 population & borough standard of 0.5 play space/1000 pop.) Deficit -0.48

Allotments Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.48 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.48

Parks & gardens Total actual provision 0 Required amount (based on 2.48 population & borough standard of 0.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -2.48

Urban green space Pennine Way 3.6 4 ecological Marsett 1.56 4 ecological Total actual provision 5.16 Required amount (based on 13.4 population & borough standard of 2.7 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -8.24

96 Outdoor sports/recreation Litton football pitch 1.36 4 health Lintley football pitch 2.13 4 health Total actual provision 3.49 Required amount (based on 7.44 population & borough standard of 1.5 ha/1000 pop.) Deficit -3.95

Feedback from public • Pennine Way/Malham Road – untidy and unattractive and prone consultation to Traveller encampments • Ellerbeck Lake is polluted and smelly • Lothersdale open space – poor quality • Dog fouling is a problem. • Need a car to reach any decent open spaces, there is nothing in the area • Cycleway network is excellent but they are badly littered and poorly lit • Footpaths are poorly maintained and lit • Play areas have been vandalised and the equipment removed • Lack of facilities for children and young people • Antisocial behaviour is a problem – youths are intimidating, indulge in alcohol and drugs and light fires • Lack of warden or police patrols • Open spaces are generally perceived as poorly maintained, littered and unattractive. • Open spaces outside the area that are well used include Green Lane, Castle Grounds, Lakes, Alvecote, canal towpaths Conclusions • Neighbourhood contains amenity green space, facilities for children/young people, urban green space and outdoor sports/recreation facilities. It is deficient in all types. There is significantly less open space than in western Stonydelph, although most dwellings will be within walking distance of some form of open space.

• There is very little scope to increase the amount of open space through new development or the use of underused land so the most should be made of existing spaces. Efforts should be focussed on improving all the amenity green spaces. This would involve a high standard of maintenance, a clean environment, attractive landscaping, good lighting and seating. Consideration could also be given to ensuring that the spaces can be accessed by wheelchairs and pushchairs. Dog bins should be provided where necessary and emptied frequently. Footpaths and cycleways should be appropriately surfaced and well lit.

• Although the neighbourhood has less open space than its neighbour on the western side of Pennine Way, the urban green space can easily be accessed next to the Dales School. This gives access to the wider Kettlebrook LNR, canal towpaths and open countryside. Green Lane marks the neighbourhood and borough boundary and beyond this to the east is open countryside. These area all provide opportunities for informal recreation and contact with biodiversity.

97 • There are two play areas in the neighbourhood, but residents report a lack of play facilities. Investigate the quality of these facilities and make improvements if necessary.

• There are no allotments in the neighbourhood. The closest are at Deltic, Amington and Glascote, all of which are a short drive away.

• There are no parks/gardens on the eastern side of the borough. The Castle Grounds are used by residents but they are not easily reached on foot. It would be beneficial to investigate a potential site for a park to serve the eastern side of the borough.

Recommendations No new open space provision is proposed.

Enhance all existing amenity green spaces through better maintenance, attractive landscaping, improved play equipment and access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Enhance existing play facilities.

Investigate a park/garden for east side of borough.

98