Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision:  

The purpose of the Open Space and Recreation Strategy 2011 would be to replace the existing Open Space and Recreation Strategy 2006 in setting out the protection, enhancement and requirements for new provision of open space necessary to meet the needs of the expanding City, and the mechanisms for implementation.

 

After being approved for consultation at Development Plan Scrutiny Sub-Committee on 12th July 2011, the Open Space and Recreation Strategy 2011 was issued for consultation between 25 July and 2 September 2011.

 

Consultation resulted in a number of amendments being made to the Open Space and Recreation Strategy. Appendix A of the Officer’s report provided a summary of representations made to the draft Open Space and Recreation Strategy, and provided information on officers’ assessment of those representations. Appendix B of the Officer’s report set out a tracked changed version of the Open Space and Recreation Strategy in order to allow the amendments made as a result of consultation to be viewed.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport:

(i) Agreed the responses to the representations received to the draft Open Space and Recreation Strategy and the consequential amendments to the strategy.

 

(ii) Adopted the Open Space and Recreation Strategy 2011 as a material consideration and as part of the technical evidence base for the Local Plan Review.

 

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Senior Planning Policy Officer regarding the Open Space and Recreation Strategy 2011.

 

The committee made the following comments in response to the report.

 

(i) Observed that some wards had more open space than others, the east area of the City was particularly deficient.

 

(ii) The viability of land should be considered so open spaces were created where appropriate and fit for purpose, as opposed to just being inserted to meet criteria. That was, they needed to be of a useful size in appropriate locations around the City.

 

In response to Member’s questions, the Senior Planning Policy Officer and Head of Planning Services confirmed the following:

 

(i) Noted Member’s comments concerning the commuting of cash sums in lieu of open space provision. The Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport undertook to take forward this issue in discussion with officers.

 

(ii) It was difficult to provide recreational facilities for all age groups in 1 play area, this was more practicable in larger play areas than smaller ones. This was more of a management than a policy issue. In assessing the need to upgrade facilities in a given area of the City, consideration should be given to the demographics of the area in order to provide appropriate play facilities.

 

(iii) The Senior Planning Policy Officer undertook to provide training to Planning Officers to ensure consistency of application of the Open Space and Recreation Strategy 2011 and the policies contained in the Cambridge Local Plan 2006.

 

The committee resolved unanimously to adopt the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.