Agenda item

Kate Johnson, Senior Planning Policy Officer

Kate Johnson, Senior Planning Policy Officer, informed the meeting about the consultation currently being undertaken. The open space strategy set out a framework for open space provision in the borough, replaced work previously undertaken in 2003 and updated the work carried out in 2010. The document would make up an important part of the evidence base needed in the preparation of planning policy documents. The public consultation on the draft strategy would run until 24 April 2012, and the final strategy was scheduled to be adopted in September 2012.  As part of the consultation, a survey among 750 residents had been conducted by telephone. The sample had been stratified by age, gender and location.  Some of the results are as follows:

• High levels of satisfaction in open spaces (over 80%); highest amongst older age groups
• Almost 90% rate the quality of open space as good or very good
• Smaller open spaces, cemeteries and amenity spaces were considered to be of poorest quality
• Just 10% of residents stated that they do not visit open spaces. Majority of these due to time constraints or health reasons
• Value of smaller open spaces was reinforced, although larger parks were also very popular

As part of the exercise, an open space needs analysis was put together which looked at various factors, such as population density, child density, health deprivation and accommodation type. A site audit was also conducted which had looked at the uses and utilisation of the various open spaces, as well as their level of accessibility. The report also looked at different sub-areas: the Aylesbury and Walworth sub-area had the highest level of park provision per head of the population, largely because Burgess Park formed about 25% of the total area, in addition to which there was a range of smaller open spaces, including a number of allotments and smaller parks. Housing amenity space also provided a significant open space resource in this area.

The Elephant and Castle sub-area had a relatively limited range of open space, consisting mainly of small parks and open spaces. The far west of the area also accommodated Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park which surrounds the Imperial War Museum.

Kate informed the meeting that there would be two workshops on the Open Space Strategy on:

Saturday 17 March, 10.30am – 12.30pm, at 160 Tooley St , SE1

Thursday 22 March, 6pm - 8pm at Peckham Library

Responding to questions from the floor, Kate said that more information was available from the website:

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200272/evidence_base/1611/environment.

Responding to further questions, Kate explained that in order to protect open and green spaces, TRAs and other organisations could write in to recommend the space for protection. Depending on the levels of support, these could then be included in the relevant planning document, which would start to be prepared this year. The process would take about 3 years: there were statutory consultation periods and an independent inspector would have to assess the space, before it went to cabinet. Responding to a question about green links across the borough, Kate said that officers would like input from residents on what these should look like. Officers would work with the community, and were going to put forward these ideas.

A question was raised about why there was no lighting in Burgess Park, why it was not going to be shut at night, and why the children’s area was so close to Albany Road which represented a safety concern. Kate responded that the parks department would have to respond to this.

ACTION: Parks department to respond to the above query.