Policy BG/EO: Providing and enhancing open spaces

5.85.  Open spaces, regardless of ownership, are a key aspect for high-quality urban and rural environments, often defining the character of an area. These spaces provide places for relaxation and socialisation, promote healthier lifestyles through opportunities for sport and informal play, and can deliver wider benefits for nature by creating habitat, contribute to cooling and play a key role in adapting to climate change. The character of Greater Cambridge is significantly shaped by its green spaces, trees, and landscape features, including the River Cam.

5.86.  There is a recognised under-provision of accessible greenspace in Greater Cambridge. This is particularly so in relation to strategic-scale open spaces, that is district and sub-regional spaces of over 100 hectares. The deficiency of these spaces is also placing increased pressure on local biodiversity sites, especially where these include areas of sensitive habitats.

5.87.  The Councils have developed evidence to inform the standards for the quantity, quality and accessibility of greenspace provision required from development, seeking to implement Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework (NEGIF) at a local level.

5.88.  Residential development will be expected to contribute to providing publicly accessible green space, to ensure growth in Greater Cambridge leads to no net loss in per capita access to publicly accessible green space. Accessible greenspace comprises amenity green space, Informal open space, Urban destination parks and gardens, Urban neighbourhood parks, Country Parks and Natural/Semi-Natural Green Space. Commercial development must contribute to accessible green and open space to relieve recreational pressure from workers using nearby accessible greenspace. The definition of Accessible Greenspace is set out in the Glossary and the typologies for the Accessible Greenspace are set out in the Greater Cambridge Green Infrastructure and Open Spaces Standards Framework Final Report (June 2026). Population will be calculated using the latest Council household multipliers for new development as set out in the Strategy Topic Paper.

5.89.  Residential developments are expected to contribute to play space. Play spaces should be well-designed, multifunctional and creative environments that provide high play value and contribute to the wider landscape. Provision should include informal and nature-based play, be accessible via safe active travel routes, and feel welcoming and safe for girls and young women, children with disabilities, and teenagers. Design proposals should ensure natural surveillance, varied and age-appropriate opportunities, and long-term management and maintenance.

5.90.  To maximise opportunities for the working population to access green spaces for gathering, relaxation and informal recreation, on-site open space provision will be sought for development proposals for employment uses with E(g)(i), E(g)(ii), or E(g)(iii) for 2,000 square metres or more Gross Internal Area. Unlike residential developments, these open spaces can include “civic spaces” which provide for the health and wellbeing needs of on-site employees. The number of employees will be calculated using the Councils latest job density calculations. Where appropriate, any provision should be made available to the wider community outside of working hours.

5.91.  Natural England's Accessible Greenspace Standard identify required provision of different scales of green space at different distances from development. Development should demonstrate how provision of on site open spaces responds to gaps in existing provision in the locality when considered against these standards. The Greater Cambridge Green Infrastructure Strategy includes analysis of Greater Cambridge’s existing provision against the NEGIF size and proximity standards.

5.92.  To ensure that any on-site green and open space provision is of a high quality, development proposals will be expected to demonstrate that any provision is of a high quality with regard to best practice guidance. This can be demonstrated through the submission of a standalone document or as part of a design and access statement.

5.93.  Major development proposals must be accompanied by a Green Infrastructure Plan (see Policy BG/GI), demonstrating how the proposal meets the green and/or open space standards set out in this policy as well as management and maintenance arrangements.

5.94.  Financial contributions for off-site provision will be calculated using the Greater Cambridge Green Infrastructure Strategy, and Greater Cambridge Play Strategy. Contributions towards off-site facilities will be directed to enhancing existing local green space and/or delivery of schemes that support the delivery of the objectives of Greater Cambridge Strategic Green Infrastructure Initiatives identified in Policy BG/GI. Contributions will also be directed towards management of green space where appropriate.

5.95.  To mitigate further recreational impacts on sensitive SSSIs arising from development, Accessible Green Space provision for development proposals that are located within a zone of potential risk for a publicly accessible Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that is sensitive to the effects of recreational pressure, must be informed by Natural England’s guidance for applications within the Cambridgeshire SSSIs Recreational Pressure Impact Risk Zone (IRZ), or successor document.

5.96.  Food growing is increasingly less about growing food to feed a family and more about a shared experience that enhances health and wellbeing and provides a space where biodiversity can thrive. Generally, to provide a range of food growing opportunities, a mix of allotments and community growing spaces should be provided subject to appropriate stewardship arrangements. Any shortfall in meeting the Food Growing Standard requires a financial contribution to contribute to other food growing opportunities. New food growing provision will also include financial contributions towards their management and maintenance.
 

Figure 111: Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Standards: Size and Proximity Standards from the Natural England Green Infrastructure Framework.

For further guidance on how to submit comments, please see the Representation Guidance Note.

All comments must be received by 25 September 2026 at 5pm.