Policy BG/PO: Protecting open spaces

5.77.  Our settlements contain a wide variety of open spaces. Within this policy open space types include but are not limited to, Burial Grounds and Churchyards, provision for Children and Young People, Food Growing Spaces (such as orchards, allotments and community gardens), Informal Areas of Open Space, Natural Open Space, Outdoor Sports Facilities and Parks and Recreation Space. In different ways, these spaces make significant contributions to the environmental character of places and also provide important local recreational amenities. Access to a range of open spaces for different activities, for all ages is an essential part of sustaining healthy communities, supporting the local environment, and encouraging social interaction with local people.

5.78.  It is important that these spaces are protected from development that could have an adverse impact on these qualities. Different types of open space have differing characteristics and therefore require varying types of protection. It is recognised that in some cases the development of an open space may be appropriate if the open space has limited quality, or the development would lead to overall quality or quantity improvement. Proposals for development on open spaces that are ancillary to that open space use will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration their location and context.

5.79.  Protected Open Spaces assessed to have recreational or environmental importance have been designated within defined development extents. Where open spaces of importance to the local community, such as recreation grounds and allotments, lie outside but in close proximity to the defined development extent these have also been designated and shown on the policies map. The designation is broad and all-encompassing and has been applied to a variety of open space types. Not all designated protected open spaces are publicly accessible.

5.80.  Previously unidentified sites (such as new sites brought forward through new developments) can qualify as protected open space if the Councils assess that the open space would meet the environmental importance and/or recreational importance criteria for designation. For the assessment of environmental importance, sites need to make an important contribution to the setting, character, structure and environmental quality of the city or local area. Sites which also contribute to the wildlife value and biodiversity of the city or local area are also assessed as environmentally important. For the assessment of recreational importance, sites need to make an important contribution to the recreational resources of the city or local area. The full criteria used for assessing protected open spaces within this plan can be found in the Protected Open Space Evidence Review 2026. If an application is received which affects a site that may be worthy of protection, an assessment will be made of the site against the assessment criteria.

5.81.  Applicants for development which will result in the loss of protected open space within school, college and university grounds are required to submit supporting evidence to demonstrate there is a clear educational need which cannot be met elsewhere.

5.82.  Where a protected open space is to be replaced, replacement sites should be an equivalent or better standard in terms of quality, quantity and a suitable distance from the site that is to be replaced. A suitable distance will be informed by the accessible green space size proximity criteria set out in Figure 111. A replacement site/facility must be fully available for use before the area of open space to be lost can be redeveloped; this will be enforced through the use of planning conditions.

5.83.  Protected Village Amenity Areas (PVAAs) have been designated on sites within defined development extents in order to safeguard those areas of mainly undeveloped land within villages which are important to retain. Some of the PVAAs may have an important amenity role in providing a setting for buildings or offer tranquil areas where there is minimum activity. Not all PVAAs have public access as some primarily undeveloped areas which are important may be private gardens. They also vary from those which are very open to visual penetration to those which may be enclosed or semi enclosed.

5.84.  Local Green Space (LGS) is a designation which is for green areas of particular importance to local communities which once designated can prevent new development other than in exceptional circumstances, consistent with national policy for Green Belts. A LGS must hold a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife. The green area must be in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves. It must be local in character and not be an extensive tract of land. These spaces can protect land outside of a defined development extent.

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.