HAMBLETON DISTRICT COUNCIL: OPEN SPACE STRATEGY FINAL REPORT OCTOBER 2017 HAMBLETON OPEN SPACE STRATEGY CONTENTS 1. BACKGROUND 1 2. KEY OUTCOMES 3 3. METHODOLOGY 4 4. STRATEGIC OVERVIEW 5 5. CONSTRAINTS 11 6. GREENSPACE QUALITY AUDITS 12 7. SERVICE ISSUES RELATING TO QUANTITY AND ACCESSIBILITY 30 8. CONSULTATION 51 9. KEY FINDINGS 59 10. TACKLING KEY SERVICE ISSUES 61 11. TACKLING PLANNING ISSUES 72 12. ACTION PLAN 85 ANNEX ANNEX A: NATIONAL PLANNING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 90 ANNEX B: OPEN SPACE CATEGORIES 92 ANNEX C: OPEN SPACE QUALITY ASSESSMENT 96 ANNEX D: OPEN SPACE FOCUS GROUP CONSULTATIONS 105 HAMBLETON OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 1. BACKGROUND 1.1. Hambleton District lies in the Vale of York between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. It is one of the largest districts in England, situated between the urban area of the Tees Valley conurbation and Darlington to the north, and York and Harrogate to the south-east and south-west respectively. Excellent north-south transport links are provided by the A1/A1M, East Coast Main Line, A19 and A168. 1.2. Most development has occurred in the main market towns of Northallerton and Thirsk. Bedale, Easingwold and Stokesley play a key role in servicing the surrounding rural communities. 1.3. To the east is the North York Moors National Park. The Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty falls partly within Hambleton. To the south, part of the York Greenbelt falls within the District. 1.4. As a diverse and predominantly rural district, Hambleton includes market towns and many villages, hamlets and farms within a District population of 89,800 (ONS Mid 2014 sub national estimates). Population levels are rising in Hambleton (+6.5% over the last 10 years); people are healthier and live lnnger than the national average, leading to an ageing population. RATIONALE FOR DEVELOPING AN OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 1.5. The rationale for developing an Open Space Strategy is underpinned by the preparation of a new Local Plan to guide development and land use up to 2035. This strategy will provide the evidence base for protecting existing provision and allocating new open space within the Local Plan over this timeframe. 1.6. The Council undertook a local needs assessment and audit of open space facilities across the District in 2006, in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, July 2002) and its Companion Guide (September 2002); this has provided the evidence base for policy making and implementation in relation to these subject areas, and in relation to this Strategy to open space, in the existing Local Plan, known as the Local Development Framework (LDF). 1.7. The LDF consists of the Core Strategy (adopted in 2007), the Development Policy DPD (adopted in February 2008), and the Allocations DPD (adopted in December 2010). 1 HAMBLETON OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 1.8. The Strategy draws on information, and updates the conclusions of, other Council documents including: Northallerton, Brompton and Romanby Draft Landscape and Open Space Strategy (2016) Hambleton Health and Physical Activity Plan (2009) Hambleton Biodiversity Action Plan (2002) North Yorkshire Play Strategy (2011) Hambleton Play Strategy (2009-11) Hambleton Allotment Survey Summary (2010) Hambleton Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2016). 1.9. This assessment has undertaken a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the existing and future needs and demands for: Amenity Greenspace Provision for Children and Young People Allotments and Community Gardens Cemeteries Civic Spaces Natural and Semi-Natural Greenspaces. 1.10. A methodology was adopted which is in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and its predecessor, Planning Policy Guideline 16 (PPG16). Some very small spaces (less than 0.2 ha and of limited amenity value) were excluded. 1.11. In addition, consultation was conducted with parishes throughout both districts. This sought views on the quality, quantity and accessibility of green space in those parishes. Some anecdotal information was also obtained relating to the desire for additional facilities in each parish’s open spaces. Focus groups were carried out in key settlement areas. 1.12. Some conclusions are drawn in relation to the need for actions in service as well as in planning terms. A number of actions were formulated, and included in an Action Plan for consideration in the short, medium, and long term. 2 HAMBLETON OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 2. KEY OUTCOMES 2.1. The Key Outcomes for the study are as follows: 1. Provide evidence to justify the provision of new open space provision, or enhance existing 2. Help assess the merits of planning applications and guide planning obligations 3. Help direct expenditure of any future Community Infrastructure Levy monies and Section 106 planning contributions for open space 4. Support the improvement of open space facilities in the District by ensuring that a high-quality open space infrastructure exists 5. Support community groups and others to access external funding. 3 HAMBLETON OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 3. METHODOLOGY 3.1. The methodology employed included a number of elements: Review of national, regional and local strategy and policy documents relevant to the exercise Division of open spaces into typology consisting of a number of different and discrete amenity “types” Creation of a qualitative template to include key elements of design and maintenance Qualitative on-site assessment of open spaces distributed throughout Hambleton in accordance with the NPPF and the principles contained in the PPG17 Companion Guide Analysis of results to qualitatively assess the value of open spaces Use of quantitative standards in accordance principles contained in the PPG17 Companion Guide (i.e. by applying a local standard based on new Fields in Trust standards to different types of open spaces grouped in accordance with the PPG17 typology in terms of ha per 1,000 population). Use of accessibility standards as defined by the Fields in Trust Guidance Document Defining of a parish questionnaire and distribution to all parishes within Hambleton Analysis of questionnaire results Conducting a series of focus group discussions in key community areas Drafting conclusions relating to the current state of open spaces in Hambleton Drafting recommendations relating to the significance of open space in Hambleton in relation to the Local Plan. 4 HAMBLETON OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 4. STRATEGIC OVERVIEW PPS GUIDANCE 4.1. At the national level, before the replacement of all Planning Policy Statements (PPS’s) by the National Planning Policy Framework in March 2012, there were a number which dealt with planning issues in detail. These Planning Policy Statements are detailed for reference in Annex A. 4.2. The Localism Act was given Royal Assent in November 2011. It aimed to take planning power from central government and place it in the hands of local authorities and communities. The Act seeks to: Give new freedoms and flexibilities to local government Give new rights and powers for local communities and individuals Reform the planning system to make it clearer, more democratic and more effective Make reforms to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally. PPG17 4.3. The Government issued planning policy guidelines for local authorities in the form of PPG 17 and Companion Guide to PPG17: Assessing Needs and Opportunities. They were first published on 13 September 2001. Although withdrawn on 7 March 2014, the guidelines were not replicated in succeeding enactments and guidelines, and are therefore still relevant as an evidence base. The PPG17 guidelines contained a number of recommendations which are directly relevant to this study. 4.4. One policy relates to areas of open space or recreational facilities of high quality or particular importance as a local amenity. These should be recognized by local authorities and given protection through appropriate policies and plans. 4.5. In terms of action which local authorities should be taking, they were advised through the PPG17 guidelines to: Avoid any erosion of recreational function and maintain and enhance the character of open spaces Ensure that open spaces do not suffer from encroachment (from traffic flows, etc.) Protect and enhance rights of way Consider the impacts of development on biodiversity and nature conservation. 5 HAMBLETON OPEN SPACE STRATEGY 4.6. In general, local authorities should: Promote accessibility to open space and the countryside Carefully consider safety and security in open spaces Improve their quality Meet regeneration needs through the provision of open space Consider using surplus land for open space purposes Consider the needs of visitors and tourists through open space provision. 4.7. PPG17 gives specific guidance in terms of defining how the quality of parks and open spaces can be audited. This guidance has been used to assess the quality of open spaces throughout Hambleton. LOCALISM ACT AND THE NPPF 4.8. The Localism Act is being developed through detailed Regulations and the National Planning Policy Framework. This supercedes previous guidance as previously outlined, and introduced detailed modifications to existing Acts including the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning Act 2008. The Government laid stress on the role of the National Planning Policy Framework in the following areas: Clarified that the local plan was the keystone of the planning regime Was crystal clear that sustainable