AUDIT OF OPEN SPACE, SPORT AND RECREATION FACILITIES AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL NEEDS A REPORT BY PMP MARCH 2006 CONTENTS Page Section 1 Introduction and background 1 Section 2 Undertaking the study 6 Section 3 Strategic context 9 Section 4 Consultation findings 15 Section 5 Parks and gardens 35 Section 6 Natural and semi-natural open space 50 Section 7 Amenity green space 59 Section 8 Provision for children and young people 76 Section 9 Sports facilities 90 Section 10 Allotments and community gardens 117 Section 11 Cemeteries and churchyards 125 Section 12 Green corridors 130 Section 13 Resourcing open space 136 Section 14 Planning implementation 141 Section 15 Summary of recommendations 160 APPENDICES Appendix A Benefits of open space Appendix B Demographics Appendix C Open space types and descriptions Appendix D Questionnaires Appendix E Site assessments Appendix F Step 3 & 4: Setting and applying provision standards Appendix G Open space publications Appendix H Supply and demand models Appendix I Quantity standards Appendix J A quality vision for Epsom & Ewell Appendix K Accessibility standards summary Appendix L Catchment maps Appendix M Site overview by typology Appendix N Site list Appendix O Playing pitch map Appendix P Prioritisation of Open Space Sites SECTION 6 – NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL OPEN SPACE Natural and semi-natural open space Definition 6.1 This type of open space includes woodlands, urban forestry, scrub, grasslands (eg downlands, commons, meadows), wetlands, open and running water, nature reserves and wastelands with a primary purpose of wildlife conservation and bio- diversity. Picture 6.1 – Woodcote Green Strategic context and consultation 6.2 Consultation highlighted that generally Epsom and Ewell Borough is fortunate to have a good quantity of natural open space and consultees are keen to see it protected. 6.3 Biodiversity and nature conservation is considered important by many consultees and areas of natural greenspace need to be protected from a wildlife and environment perspective. 6.4 Consultation comments suggested that access and maintenance of many sites needs to be improved. 6.5 Individual comments from frequent users included the call for more patrols and wardens, improved signage, improved quality of footpaths and more cycleways and networks through such open spaces. Audit of Open Space, Sport and Recreational Facilities– Epsom and Ewell BC Page 50 SECTION 6 – NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL OPEN SPACE Current position 6.6 There is substantial provision of natural and semi-natural open space across the borough. In particular, the following sites are significant in size: • Epsom Common (Site ID 12) – 171.55ha • Horton Country Park (Site ID 13) – 127.13ha • Nonsuch Park (Site ID 14) – 145.57ha • Walton Downs (Site ID 203) – 84.48ha. 6.7 It should be noted that the provision of natural and semi-natural open space, in particular the larger areas, are a very important and unusual asset to the Borough of Epsom and Ewell. The majority are located within the Green Belt and therefore are protected. Setting provision standards 6.8 In setting local standards for natural and semi-natural open space there is a need to take into account any national or local standards, current provision, other local authority standards for appropriate comparison, site assessments and consultation on local needs. Full justifications for the local standards are provided within Appendices I, J and K . Quantity 6.9 The provision of natural and semi-natural open space amounts to 827.35 hectares across the Borough. Therefore the current provision of natural and semi-natural open space per 1,000 population is 11.09ha. 6.10 This is a very high level of provision compared to some local authority areas, which is due to the large areas of natural and semi-natural open space around the boundary of Epsom and Ewell Borough including Epsom Downs NSN (Site ID 155 – 37.33ha), Epsom Common (Site ID 12 – 171.55ha), Nonsuch Park (Site ID 14 – 145.57ha) and Horton Country Park Golf Club (Site ID 13 – 127.13ha). 6.11 The only definitive national standard for natural and semi-natural areas is the English Nature Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard (ANGSt). This states that there should be at least 2 ha of accessible natural greenspace per 1,000 population. However there is no national or local standard that covers the whole of this typology although English Nature does approve other greenspace standards set by other organisations. 6.12 Overall opinion suggests that the current provision is about right (63% of respondents to the household questionnaire). Only 15% of respondents stated that there was ‘nearly enough’ provision and 17% of respondents felt that there was not enough provision. 6.13 The provision of natural and semi-natural open space is at such a high level that it gives a feeling of adequate open space provision across all typologies. For example, Epsom Downs is only 10 – 15 minutes drive from anywhere in the Borough. 6.14 Other authorities, where PMP have set standards, have standards ranging from around 2ha per 1000 population and 10ha per 1000 population. Audit of Open Space, Sport and Recreational Facilities– Epsom and Ewell BC Page 51 SECTION 6 – NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL OPEN SPACE 6.15 It is therefore appropriate to set a standard that reflects the existing level of provision. We recommend that the RECOMMENDED standard is rounded to the nearest whole hectare per LOCAL QUANTITY thousand. This also allows flexibility in terms of the STANDARD management of sites: for example, a small part of the site could be converted to an alternative typology in which there is a deficiency. If there are no identified 11 ha per 1,000 local deficiencies, disposal of the land could be population considered and investment of the proceeds to improve the quality of other existing sites. This standard also recognises the difficulty in requiring a higher level of provision from new housing developments. 6.16 A standard of 11 ha per 1000 population is therefore recommended. Quality 6.17 There are no definitive national or local quality standards for natural and semi-natural open spaces although the Countryside Agency states that such land should be managed to conserve or enhance its rich landscape, bio-diversity, heritage and local customs. 6.18 The overall quality of natural and semi-natural open space across the Borough is considered to be average. The highest quality site is Epsom Downs NSN (Site ID 155) with 91%. Ewell Road NSN (Site ID 105) is also considered to be a good quality site with 84%. However, there are a number of poor quality sites, particularly The Dell (Site ID 32) and West Park (site ID 182), which scored only 20%. 6.19 Through the Citizens’ Panel survey, the highest rated aspirations for natural and semi-natural open space were clean and litter free, have natural features (eg wildlife), flowers, trees and shrubs, nature conservation and pond/lake and water features. 6.20 Natural and semi-natural open space in Epsom and Ewell RECOMMENDED LOCAL QUALITY STANDARD Borough is a significant resource and it is important that the quality “A clean, litter free open space with natural of these sites ensures that the features (including flowers, tress, shrubs residents of Epsom and Ewell and water features) which encourages Borough can make full use of wildlife and nature conservation, biodiversity this facility. Within the and environmental education.” neighbourhood sessions, a resident commented on the excellent facility Epsom Common (Site ID 12) provides, stating they moved to the area for it. 6.21 The recommended local quality standard for natural and semi-natural open space needs to take into account the aspirations of the public and also the current work being undertaken to involve the community in the management of these open spaces. There are two SSSIs and two ancient woodlands where specific provisions apply which could constrain their public use. 6.22 The standard provides the vision for any new provision and also a quality benchmark for existing natural and semi-natural open space to achieve. Audit of Open Space, Sport and Recreational Facilities– Epsom and Ewell BC Page 52 SECTION 6 – NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL OPEN SPACE Accessibility 6.23 With regards to accessibility the definitive national standard has been produced by English Nature (ANGSt), which recommends 2 ha of accessible natural greenspace per 1,000 people. There are no existing local standards. 6.24 The access into natural and semi-natural sites within Epsom and Ewell is considered to be poor to average. The poorest sites in terms of access were The Dell (Site ID 31), Dancer Dick Wood (Site ID 99), Hambledon Hill NSN (Site ID 223), Playing Fields at Grafton Park Road (Site ID 102) and Drumaline Ridge (Site ID 104) which all scored only 20%. The highest rating sites in terms of access are Horton Country Park (Site ID 13) with 70% and Manor Hospital Old Cricket (Site ID 181 and 185) with 76%. 6.25 The respondents to the Citizens’ Panel survey (who on the whole, stated that natural and semi-natural was the most frequently used open space) were satisfied with the visibility of site entrances and accessibility by walking. Lowest levels of satisfaction were with accessibility by public transport and accessibility with pushchairs/wheelchairs. However for both of these factors, there were high levels of respondents who felt that this was not applicable or did not know. 6.26 The majority of people indicated a walking time as opposed to a drive time suggesting that people prefer to access such sites on foot. RECOMMENDED 6.27 The standards set for other authorities are mainly around 15 LOCAL minutes walk. ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD 6.28 The 75% threshold level indicated by respondents to the Citizens’ Panel survey was 15 – 19 minutes.