Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

metres (a 5 minute walk) from home. Figure 20 below shows the parts of the Borough
within 300m of accessible natural green space. The Council’s Open Space Study
(2010) states that there are 1177.59 hectares of natural and semi-natural green spaces
in the Borough (1064.57ha of this is accessible-i.e. with people not having to pay a fee
to enter, and freely accessible to members of the public).
10.46 The Open Space Study concludes that overall approximately 12.70ha of accessible
natural and semi-natural green spaces per 1000 population is provided in the Borough.
This is a significantly greater amount than suggested as the minimum by ANGSt.
10.47 Hence one of the conclusions of the Open Space Study is that the Borough as a whole
has large provision of accessible Natural and Semi-Natural Urban Green Spaces. It
should be noted however that the broad location areas of Virginia Water and Egham,
were found to have a greater accessible provision than the broad location areas of
Addlestone and Chertsey. The quality of these spaces has been recognised as being
mostly medium or low (assessment criteria were accessibility (e.g. disabled access,
locality to public transport and signage); Cleanliness; Facilities; Safety; and Overall
Quality). It was concluded that it is important to improve the quality of these green
spaces, as this types of green spaces were identified as popular destinations in the
study questionnaires given to residents.
Local Plan
10.48 The Local Plan confirms in Location Policy 2 (LP02) that the Local Plan will aim to
deliver on average 161 units per annum between the years of 2011 and 2026, including
1500 units at the former DERA site. A number of these new dwellings will be within
5km of the TBHSPA.
10.49 Local Plan Core Strategy policy SP07 is concerned with the Thames Basin Heath
Special Protection Area. The policy replicates advice approved by Natural England and
currently being followed by the Council that permits the approval of new residential
development between 400m and 5km of the Thames Basin Heath SPA. Development
at the former DERA site is however singled out by the policy as ‘exceptional’, in that it
requires a bespoke solution. The Local Plan Core Strategy's SA/SEA could also form
the basis for trigger of other national legislation such as Environmental Impact
Assessment.
10.50 The Local Plan Core Strategy also recognises the importance of a green infrastructure
network generally, including natural and semi-natural green spaces.
Future Provision
10.51 As part of the development of the former DERA site, a network of formal and informal
green infrastructure will be provided. Some of the green infrastructure provided will fall
within the category of semi natural green space.
10.52 In addition, works are proposed at the Cabrera Trust land in Virginia Water if the
funding becomes available. The planned works are as follows:
• further coppicing work along the riverside walk
• new footbridge on riverside walk
• update interpretation/information boards along riverside walk
• review and update of the nature trail posts and leaflets along the riverside
Walk
• re-routing of boardwalk away from eroding bank alongside riverside walk
10.53 Works are also proposed at Chertsey Meads and St Ann’s Hill although these works
have been discussed elsewhere in this chapter.
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013