Carlisle District Local Plan.indd - Carlisle City Council

Carlisle District Local Plan 2001 - 2016 Revised Redeposit draftenvironment. Sites such as those with mature trees, gardens or orchards are often importantfeatures which contribute to the character of the village. In addition, the grounds of manychurches provide attractive open areas suitable for quiet contemplation and also of value towildlife.8.13 However, it is not only open space within residential areas that is subject to this policy.Important landscaping within industrial estates, along major traffic routes and associatedwith other uses is are also designated as amenity open space, together with watercoursecorridors and wetland areas. Landscaped areas are often an integral part of theenvironment, and their piecemeal erosion for development should be avoided.8.14 The range of open space that is covered by this Policy can provide significant opportunitiesfor enhancing the value of an area for wildlife through, for example, such measures assmall scale planting, mowing regimes or the creation of wildlife gardens as a recreationaland educational resource. One of the environmental targets of the North West BiodiversityForum and Action for Sustainability is concerned with establishing a network of naturalgreenspace. Accessible natural greenspace comprises land, water or geological featureswhich have been naturally colonised by plants and animals and are accessible on foot tothe local community. Provision of this space, and ability of people to reach and feel safeusing it, is important for improving quality of life particularly in the region’s urban areas.POLICY LC4 Children’s Play and Recreation AreasNew family housing developments of 40 or more dwellings will be required to include,pro rata, the following standards of play space provision:Outdoor playgrounds 150m 2 per hectareInformal playspace 270m 2 per hectareIn addition to the above, on development sites of 5 hectares or over, 0.1 hectares ofsports ground development per hectare will be required.On smaller housing sites the developer will be required to make commuted paymentstowards the provision of play space in the locality if there is a deficiency of play spacein the local area judged against the Audit of Open Space.Children’s play and recreation areas required by this policy will be dedicated to the CityCouncil for maintenance purposes and a commuted payment equivalent to 10 year’smaintenance costs will be required.8.15 It is essential that adequate provision for outdoor play space is included in the earlyplanning of new residential developments in order to meet future demands. In mostlarge developments the Council will require the play provision to be provided on site. Inexceptional circumstances, where the play space can not be provided in a satisfactorymanner on site, due to its size, shape or topography, or an adverse impact on the urbanform of an area or the character of a conservation area, the requirement may be met by theprovision of a new off site facility, (if an appropriate site is available). If no appropriate siteis available, the requirement can be met by the provision of additional play facilities on anearby existing play area if appropriate.8.16 Where a housing development is partially developed by different developers, or is a phaseddevelopment, provision will be required for each constituent part of the site.130 September 2006