Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment and Audit

374 Pages·2012·6.69 MB·English

Northampton

Borough Council

Ope n

Spa ce, Sport and

Rec reation Needs

Ass essment and Audit

An Update Report by

PMP

September
2009
CONTENTS

Page

Section 1 Introduction & background 1
Section 2 Undertaking the study 5
Section 3 Strategic context 15
Section 4 Parks and gardens 32
Section 5 Natural and semi natural 57
Section 6 Amenity green space 78
Section 7 Provision for children and young people 98
Section 8 Outdoor sports facilities 142
Section 9 Indoor sports facilities 168
Section 10 Allotments 188
Section 11 Cemeteries and churchyards 201
Section 12 Green corridors and green infrastructure 210
Section 13 Northampton Central Area & Civic Spaces 222
SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Introduction and background
The study
1.1 During February 2009 Northampton Borough Council appointed PMP to undertake
an open space, sport and recreation needs assessment and audit across
Northampton Borough. The study builds upon work undertaken by PMP in 2006 and
evaluates needs and opportunities for current and future provision.
1.2 The findings of this work will enable the Council to adopt a clear vision for the future
delivery of open space, sport and recreation facilities and provide evidence for
informed decision making.
1.3 The study will form part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework
(LDF) and will contribute to the formulation of the parks and open spaces strategy.
1.4 The objectives of the study are as follows:
• update the audit to reflect recent changes
• develop new local standards to reflect the updated audit
• reapply the local standards to help identify the key priorities in the borough
• inform the future management of open spaces and facilitate decision making
on the current and future needs for open space, sport and recreation facilities.
Why public open space?
1.5 Recognition of the role that open spaces play in supporting the implementation of
both national objectives and more locally in Northampton is essential if the benefits
that can be derived from open spaces are to be maximised.
1.6 On a national level, Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (PPG17) states that well
designed and implemented planning policies for open space, sport and recreation are
fundamental to delivering broader Government objectives, many of which are also
reflective of local priorities in Northampton. These include:
• supporting an urban renaissance
• promotion of social inclusion and community cohesion
• enhancing health and well being
• promoting more sustainable development.
1.7 The value of open space is not just recreational. The strategic contribution that open
spaces can make to the wider environment includes:
• defining the local landscape character and providing an appropriate context
and setting for built development and infrastructure
• helping to achieve a softer interface between urban and rural environments
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SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
• emphasising the presence of particular natural features within the landscape
such as river valleys, canals
• supporting habitats and local wildlife
• promoting and protecting biodiversity and habitat creation
• mitigating climate change and flood risk.
1.8 The Government White Paper (May 2007) highlights minimising climate change and
the protection of the environment as two of the key challenges to be addressed
through the planning system in future years. Adapting Public Space to Climate
Change (CABE Space 2009) states that adaptation to climate change means making
towns and cities more resilient and advises that well-designed, flexible public spaces
offer the most effective opportunity to adapt to threats.
1.9 PPS12 highlights the importance of spatial planning in creating strong and
prosperous communities. Consideration of the green infrastructure and the creation
of a positive framework for the protection, development and enhancement of open
space will contribute to the overall achievement of sustainable development.
1.10 Parks, natural spaces and other types of open space do not exist in isolation but
make up the green infrastructure of the borough and the surrounding region. Green
infrastructure is the physical environment within and between villages and towns. It is
a network of multi-functional open spaces, including formal parks, gardens,
woodlands, green corridors, waterways, street trees and open countryside. It
comprises all environmental resources, and thus a green infrastructure approach
also contributes towards sustainable resource management.

Function and benefits of open space
1.11 Open spaces fulfil a range of functions, for example, the provision for play and
informal recreation, a landscaping buffer within and between the built environment
and/or a habitat for the promotion of biodiversity.
1.12 Northampton Borough contains many sites with particular designations in recognition
of the wildlife present including 59 local wildlife sites, a Site of Scientific Interest
(SSSI) and 6 local nature reserves (LNR). The importance of these sites is
emphasised in the Green Infrastructure Strategic Framework (2006) and the West
Northamptonshire Landscape Sensitivity and Green Infrastructure Study (2009).
1.13 Almost all open spaces have both primary and secondary functions for example
outdoor sports facilities frequently function as amenity areas and many cemeteries
are also havens for wildlife and biodiversity. Provision of a balance of different types
of open space is essential to meet local aspirations. These aspirations may vary from
place to place and change over time.
1.14 Changing social and economic circumstances, changed work and leisure practices,
more sophisticated consumer tastes and higher public expectations have placed new
demands on open spaces. They have to serve more diverse communities and face
competition from development. While the provision of open spaces can be
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SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
challenging in urban areas like Northampton, open spaces can also promote
community cohesion, encourage community development and stimulate partnerships
between the public and private sector.
1.15 Parks and open spaces are accessible to a wider range of people than some sport
and leisure facilities and are therefore better able to realise the aims of social
inclusion and equality of opportunity. The provision of open spaces and recreation
facilities contribute to an ideal, sustainable and thriving community. The Park Life
Report (Green Space June 2007) highlighted that 83% of those surveyed feel that
parks are the focal point of a community.
1.16 In addition to biodiversity and recreation, of particular note is the historical benefit of
open spaces. Northampton BC contains seven scheduled ancient monuments, some
of which are located on open spaces. Delapre Park also contains the site of the 1460
Battle of Northampton, which is included on English Heritage's Register of sites of
historic battlefields.
Local features and demographics
1.17 Northampton Borough Council is one of seven local authorities making up the County
of Northamptonshire. It is located in central England and situated between London
and Birmingham. Northampton Borough is predominantly urban and covers a total of
8080 hectares, with a population density of 24.1 people per hectare. The majority of
the population live within the town of Northampton, which was designated as a New
Town in 1968.
1.18 The current population of Northampton Borough is 206,300 (2009 estimate).
Compared to the 2001 Census the population has grown by 6%. At the time of the
2001 census, the proportion of retired people was significantly below the national
average, contrasting with the population between 20 and 40, which was far greater
than elsewhere in the UK. Reinforcing this point, the average age was 37, compared
to 39 across England and Wales. 25.2% of households do not have access to a car
compared to 26.8% nationally and unemployment was also below the national
average, at 3.1% compared to 3.4%. 2% of the population have a limiting long-term
illness compared to 18.9% nationally.
1.19 Northampton is located within the Milton Keynes & South Midlands region, one of
four major growth areas identified in the South East in the government’s Sustainable
Communities Plan (published February 2003). This growth area will face increasing
pressure to accommodate an estimated 370,000 more new homes up to 2031. The
town of Northampton has been identified as a key focus in this growth area, with an
anticipated 40,400 new homes over the next 25 years.
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SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Structure of the report
1.20 The report is split into 14 sections. Section 2 sets out the methodology for
undertaking the study and Section 3 sets out the strategic context to provide the
background and context to the study.
1.21 Sections 4 - 13 relate to each of the typologies identified within the scope of the
report. Each typology chapter sets out the strategic context to that particular
typology, the recommended quantity, quality and accessibility standards, the
application of these standards and subsequent recommendations.
1.22 Section 14 summarises opportunities for the future resourcing of open space in the
borough.
1.23 There are also a number of appendices that support the report and provide further
background detail and statistical calculations. These are referenced throughout the
report.
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SECTION 2

UNDERTAKING THE STUDY
SECTION 2 – UNDERTAKING THE STUDY
Undertaking the study
Introduction
2.1 This study has been undertaken in accordance with PPG17 and its Companion
Guide. PPG17 emphasises the importance of making decisions based on local needs
and aspirations as opposed to following national trends and guidelines.
2.2 PPG17 encourages local authorities to plan for the future and states that robust
assessments of the existing and future needs of their communities with regards open
space, sports and recreational facilities should be undertaken.
2.3 The Companion Guide indicates that the four guiding principles in undertaking a local
assessment are:
• understanding that local needs will vary according to socio-demographic and
cultural characteristics
• recognising that the provision of good quality and effective open space relies
on effective planning but also on creative design, landscape management
and maintenance
• considering that delivering high quality and sustainable open spaces may
depend much more on improving and enhancing existing open space rather
than new provision
• taking into account that the value of open space will be greater when local
needs are met. It is essential to consider the wider benefits that sites
generate for people, wildlife and the environment.
2.4 Paragraph 7 states that “local authorities should use the information gained from their
assessments of needs and opportunities to set locally derived standards for the
provision of open space, sports and recreational facilities in their areas”. PPG17 sets
out the Government’s belief that national standards are inappropriate as they do not
take into account the demographics of an area, the specific needs of residents and
the extent of built development.
2.5 The policy guidance sets out priorities for local authorities in terms of:
• assessing needs and opportunities
• undertaking audits of open space, sport and
recreational facilities
• setting local standards
• maintaining an adequate supply of open space
• planning for new open space.

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SECTION 2 – UNDERTAKING THE STUDY
Types of open space
2.6 The overall definition of open space within the Government planning guidance is:
“all open space of public value, including not just land, but also areas of water such
as rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs which offer important opportunities for sport
and recreation and can also act as a visual amenity”.
2.7 PPG17 identifies ten typologies of open space. These categories include nine types
of open space and one category of urban open space. This study includes the
assessment of the following typologies:
I. parks and gardens
II. natural and semi natural urban green spaces
III. green corridors
IV. outdoor sports
V. amenity greenspace
VI. provision for children and teenagers
VII. allotments and community gardens
VIII. cemeteries and churchyards
IX. accessible countryside in urban fringe areas
X. civic spaces.
2.8 Although accessible natural countryside has not been audited, its significance as a
resource for the local community will be recognised within the study and in the
assessment of all other typologies and its connectivity with the regional green
infrastructure. The nature of this type of open space means it is inappropriate to
audit existing provision or to set local standards. It is also difficult to influence
provision of areas of nearby countryside through the planning system and hence no
separate analysis has been undertaken. Areas of nearby countryside are not listed
as a typology within Annex 2.
2.9 PPG17 also highlights the need to consider the indoor sports facilities (sports halls,
swimming pools and health and fitness). Despite these facilities being excluding from
mention in Annex 2 (which refers to only the greenspace and hard surfaced open
spaces) indoor sports facilities have been considered within this report.
2.10 The study takes into account open spaces provided and managed by other
organisations providing a more accurate picture of current provision in Northampton
Borough. Full details of these typologies, their definitions and primary purpose are
outlined in Appendix B.

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