Brent Open Space Report - PPG17 Assessment 2009 | Open Space and Recreation Report Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. POLICY CONTEXT 5 3. PUBLIC PARKS PROVISION 14 4. PROVISION FOR CHILDREN 21 AND YOUNG ADULTS 5. OUTDOOR SPORTS 29 FACILITIES 6. INDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES 36 7. ALLOTMENT GARDEN 60 PROVISION 8. SEMI-NATURAL GREENSPACE AND 64 CORRIDORS | Open Space and Recreation Report Open Space and Recreation Report Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1 This report compiles the details of all relevant open space and recreation audits, needs assessments and public consultation conducted or commissioned by the council in recent years. The report provides a single reference point for the evidence base in developing the Local Development Framework policy towards the protection and enhancement of open space in the borough. The report sets out how the council has fulfilled the requirements of PPG17 in conducting a comprehensive assessment of open space to develop policy contained in the LDF. 1.2 The council has conducted or commissioned a number of different studies and strategies which cover the various forms of open space in the borough. The intention of this document is draw out the relevant details of these separate reports and strategies which have informed development of LDF policy. Also concluded, where relevant are studies which have been conducted by the GLA at regionally level but provide a detailed assessment of provision in Brent. The report is a live document which can be updated as new or updated studies are completed. 1.3 The following strategies and reports have been drawn upon in collating this report. They comprise of a range of elements including audits of current open space and recreation provision, local demand and supply analysis, public consultation on local needs, priorities for improvement and implementation plans. Brent Playing Pitch Strategy 2003 – 2008 Carried out by leisure consultants McAlpine, Thorpe & Warrier Ltd on behalf of Brent Borough Council, this strategy covers the team sports of football, cricket, rugby union, hockey and Gaelic football. It follows the latest Sport England Guidelines for Playing Pitch Strategies. The study incorporates the results of a detailed analysis of the supply of pitches, the condition of local authority owned playing pitches and their ancillary facilities, the current and future demand for pitches and the adequacy of supply to meet this demand. The strategy is currently under review. A Strategy for Sport & Physical Activity in Brent 2004 - 2009 In February 2003 a Framework for the Development of Sport in Brent was written following the Audit Commissions inspection of Sports and Leisure. This framework and the consultation which formed the backbone to the document identified that that a Strategy endorsed by key stakeholders would make a significant impact on agreeing priorities and coordinating the delivery of sports opportunities across the Borough by all providers. The strategy was made available for public consultation during March and April 2004 and all comments raised were fed back to the Brent Sports Forum for review to assist in the production of the final Sports Strategy. Planning for Sport and Active Recreation Facilities Strategy 2008-2021 In early 2007, Sport England approached Brent Council to become a pilot in their Local Sport and Recreation Strategic Planning Support Programme. Through this programme, consultants - Leisure and the Environment and Genesis - have supported the Council through offering advice and facilitation, acting as the enabler in producing this document. A steering group was set up, with members representative of all key service areas within Brent Council, including the Sports Service, Parks Service, Planning Service, Children and Families and Policy and Regeneration Unit. Throughout the process greater partnership working has taken place where all stakeholders have been able to feed into developing a sports facility strategy and benefit from the research which has been carried out. This strategy was endorsed by the Council's Executive in November 2008 and its priorities and recommendations will be incorporated into forthcoming Supplementary Planning Documents, a Sustainable Community Strategy and taken up by the Local Strategic Partnership. 2 | Open Space and Recreation Report Open Space and Recreation Report Assessment and Analysis of Local Satisfaction Levels with Sports Facilities in the London Borough of Brent – 2008 Conducted by visiting students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute on behalf of Brent Planning Service, this report investigates local needs for sport and open space. By conducting a household survey, key informant interviews, and G.I.S mapping, the project identifies key areas of deficiency in sports provision and identifies facilities most suited to meet local needs. Brent Parks Strategy 2004-2009, Draft Strategy 2009 This Strategy sets out a clear policy framework for Brent Parks over the next five years and links to the community strategy process. The Strategy is designed to set local standards based on assessments of need, demographic and cultural changes and audits of existing parks and open spaces. It is the basis for redressing quantitative and qualitative deficiencies and recommends strategies and standards for the improvement of Brent’s green spaces. The scope of the Strategy includes public parks, public open spaces, children’s play areas and allotments. The strategy is currently under review. Brent Play Strategy 2005- 2008 Brent Play Strategy aims to be a practical working tool, to be referred to whenever decisions about play need to be made. It is applicable to all forms of children and young people’s services. It is intended that the strategy will have an impact on individual council departments, key partner agencies (such as Brent Primary Care Trust) and voluntary sector organisations. The purpose of the strategy is to: address the play needs of children and young people in Brent act as a clear outline of how Brent intends play provision to develop from 2005- 2008 be flexible and able to respond to future change and development. improve the basis of quality in play provision provide a framework for allocation of resources continue to emphasise the close co-operation between all agencies in the provision and development of a play service The strategy is informed and shaped by considerable consultation with children and young people Audit of Brent Outdoor Sports Provision 2007-08 A survey of all outdoor sports facilities in the borough was conducted by Ashley Godfrey Associates on behalf of the council between October 2007 and February 2008. The survey looked at the quantity of outdoor sports pitches, other outdoor built sports facilities, changing and ancillary facilities, and school and college sport facilities in Brent, as well as the quality and access to these facilities. Consultation Annual Parks Survey A household survey sent to a random sample of 10% of households each year with a 15-20% response rate. Survey relates to local parks and sports provision. 3 | Open Space and Recreation Report Open Space and Recreation Report LDF Issues and Options Survey October 2005 Distributed to every house through Brent Magazine. Received a 1% response rate of all households in the borough. Sport England Active People Survey I (2005/06) and II (2008/09) National survey conducted by Sport England with a sample of 1,000 respondents from each borough or district. Survey focuses on sport and physical activity participation rates and Key Performance Indicators such as proportion of population taking part in 3x30mins of sport and physical activity per week. Willesden and Vale Farm Sports Centre non –user survey Feb 2008 Approached individuals at random in selected areas, of which 224 responded to these face to face interviews. Questions targeted at mainly sport centre use, awareness, and why people do not use the sports centres. Brent Citizens Panel Survey September 2003 Questionnaires were mailed out to all members of the citizens’ panel (2,111), 510 responses. Range of questions asked including section on satisfaction with local sports provision. Priority Sports Development Plans Surveys of sports clubs identified as priority sports in the borough. 4 | Open Space and Recreation Report Open Space and Recreation Report Chapter 2. Policy Context National Policy Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) 2.1 Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) sets out overarching national planning policy context for national planning guidance. Sustainable development is a key objective for planning and plan making across all planning policy areas. PPS1 states that planning should seek to protect and enhance the quality, character and amenity value of the countryside and urban areas as a whole, and give a high level of protection to most valued townscapes and landscapes, wildlife habitats and natural resources. PPS1 seeks to ensure that planning facilitates and promotes sustainable patterns of urban and rural development, by protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment, the quality and character of the countryside, and existing communities. Planning Policy Guidance 17 (PPG17) 2.2 Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (PPG17) sets out national policy guidance for open space, sport and recreation. The Government recognises that access to and use of high quality open space, sport and recreation facilities can improve people’s quality of life, and secure other related benefits such as social inclusion, good health and well being, sustainable development