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 were as follows:

• High levels of satisfaction in open spaces (over 80%); highest amongst older age groups
• Almost 90% rated 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 did not visit open spaces. The majority of these was 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 Borough, Bankside and London Bridge sub-area had a relatively limited amount of open space provision, consisting largely of small squares and churchyards. With a total of 0.25ha of park provision per 1,000 population, it was also well below the standard of 0.76ha per 1,000 population.  The area was also deficient in the amount of natural green space available.

In order to remedy these issues, officers proposed that spaces, which were below the borough average for quality and value, and should be the focus of improvements including:

·  Christchurch Gardens - potential to improve landscaping and facilities to address park deficiency in this area.

·  Marlborough Playground - potential to improve landscaping and access

·  Leathermarket Gardens - potential improvements to biodiversity

·  Potential improvements to linkages between spaces.

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

More information was available on the council’s website:

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