Revised Deposit Plan - Wychavon District Council

and the visual character of anthe area that may contribute to local
distinctiveness.
5.2.69. Central Government advice contained in PPG3 and PPG17
stressesrecognises the need to retain and protect valuable amenity and
recreational open spaces, buildings and land in cities, towns and villages
within both rural and urban areas. Parks, playing fields, informal open spaces,
allotments and private gardens are some of the uses that can be can all be of
great importance to the appearance of a neighbourhood. Planning permission
will only be granted for development affecting open spaces or sports and
recreational buildings or land where the reasons for the development outweigh
the value of the space in connection with the assessment of need and an audit
of open space.
5.2.70. POS is an essential part of the urban heritage and is important for the
character, appearance and identity of an area. It plays an important
educational and ecological role and helps to foster community development.
Towns and villages need open space to function properly and efficiently. It is
a legitimate aim of the planning system to protect important open areas for
their recreational, environmental, visual or ecological value and for the general
amenity of the community in which they are located. Small spaces in village
conservation areas can be particularly important in terms of village character
and form. POS can be a valuable asset whether it is in private or public
ownership and whether or not it is publicly accessible. Additionally, in
protecting this land, the Council will have regard not only to its individual value
but its contribution to the overall open space network within the built-up area
and links to the open countryside and the rights of way network.
5.2.71. PPG17 emphasises that existing open space and sport and recreation
buildings and land should not be built on unless an assessment has been
undertaken that clearly shows the open space, land or buildings to be surplus
to requirements in accordance with the standards adopted for the local area.
The Council will undertake a District wide assessment in accordance with
Policy COM13. For open space to be considered surplus to requirements,
consideration will be given to all of the functions that the open space can
perform. Not all open space or sport and recreation buildings and land are of
equal merit and some may be available for alternative uses. As the Council
has not yet completed its open space assessment, in the interim period an
applicant may seek to demonstrate through an independent assessment that
the land or buildings are surplus to requirements. Developers will need to
consult the local community and demonstrate that their proposals are widely
supported by them.
5.2.72. In accordance with PPG17 the Council will give careful consideration to any
planning applications involving playing fields, with the presumption against
development. The Council will also use the approach that any development
providing the opportunity to exchange the use of one site for another to
substitute for any loss of open space, or sports or recreational facility should
be at least as accessible to current and potential new users. Any replacement
should also be at least as equivalent in terms of size, usefulness,
attractiveness and quality and in the case of allotments, similar land quality. In
all cases the Council will seek to ensure that obligations or conditions to
secure the exchanged land and its maintenance is undertaken.
5.2.73. PPG17 stresses that parks, recreation grounds, playing fields and allotments
must not be regarded as “previously-developed land”, as defined in Annex C
of PPG3. If other open spaces or sport and recreational land or buildings do
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