Bridgend Council’s planning department has published the consultation responses and proposed amendments to their future supplementary planning guidance (SPG) for open space on new developments (pdf).
Some of the developers, agencies and organisations that responded to the consultation include Natural Resources Wales, Llanmoor Homes, Barratt & David Wilson Homes and Savills.
The consultation was launched in 2020 but has presumably been delayed by the pandemic.
The draft SPG (pdf) sets out how the council’s planning policies concerning playgrounds, allotments and public open spaces should be applied in practice by developers. “Lack of open space/playgrounds” has often been one of the main criticisms of new developments.
The key guidance includes:
- Homes on new developments should be no further than 1.2km from outdoor sports areas (formal playing fields), 1km from a neighbourhood play area/NEAP (a large equipped playground for all ages), 400metres from an informal open space and 300m from natural green space.
- “Every effort” should be made by developers to provide on-site play spaces for the youngest children at the very least.
- Developers will be expected to provide improved play areas/open space if the existing open space in the area falls short of the required standards.
- Where sports facilities are needed (usually reserved only for the largest developments), developers will be expected to provide facilities to the standards set by sports governing bodies.
- Developers will be expected to upgrade or provide access points to suitable open space within 300metres of new developments if the access is substandard.
- The council will accept payment from developers to provide appropriate open space away from the development if the space can’t be provided within the site boundaries.
- As a result of the consultation, the council will clarify how they weigh the effect open space requirements have on the viability of new developments.
The draft guidance also gives cost estimates for certain open space and playground elements – both in terms of installation and costs over 25 years.
The figures are at 2015 levels so are likely to be much higher now. If you want a snapshot, the draft guidance states that a multi-use games area may cost £75,000 to install and just over £59,000 to maintain over 25 years, while a standard-sized rugby pitch would cost £75,000 to install and £184,000 to maintain across 25 years.
