Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The purpose of the Open Space Assessment is to provide an evaluation of the quantity, quality and accessibility of open space provision in the Borough; to identify shortfalls in provision and recommend standards and effective mechanisms in order that appropriate provision is secured to meet future needs.

An up–to-date study will provide evidence as to whether or not open space needs are being met in different parts of the borough and inform future decisions on how the Council’s property estate is managed.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the findings of the Open Space Assessment and accompanying Standards paper.

Officer contact: Sally Maguire on 0161-474-2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Open Space Assessment which would provide an evaluation of the quantity, quality and accessibility of open space provision in the Borough; identify shortfalls in provision and recommend standards and effective mechanisms in order that appropriate provision was secured to meet future needs.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to present the report and respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that there were a number of identified deficiencies in current open space provision.

·         It may not always be possible to meet identified open space deficiencies within the boundaries of each ward due to local constraints.

·         The information secured through the Open Space Study will be used to inform the Local Development Plan.

·         The value of and access to local areas of play within new residential developments was discussed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council has been in the process of reviewing and updating the suite of evidence which will underpin the emerging Local Plan. The Open Space Assessment and accompanying Standards paper will form part of this evidence base.

NOTE: Consideration of this item was deferred from the last meeting of the Working Party pending the circulation of Annex 1 and Annex 2 which are enclosed with the report.

The Working Party is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Sally Maguire on 0161-474-2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the Open Space Assessment and accompanying Standards Paper that would form part of the evidence base which would underpin the emerging Local Plan. The report had been deferred from the previous meeting to allow for circulation of omitted annexes to the report.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Much of the document was information that members would already been familiar with, although the assessment would not necessarily accord with councillor or public views of the value of these sites. In some cases the open space may not be of the best quality but had particular value to local residents.

·         Further mention was needed of Friends Groups and it was important they formed part of the consultation.

·         Clarification was needed in the consultation that the study was a snapshot in time, and need not necessarily reflect newer provision agreed as part of planning consents. These sites would be accounted for as part of annual monitoring.

·         The consultation needed to be phrased so as not to raise expectations the Council was be able to address all public concerns about the quality of open space. This included ensuring that it was clear that although the assessment provided data by area committee, it was not proposed to seek to provide equitable levels of provision by each area. Often deficiencies were due to lack of developable space

·         Open space provided for in residential developments were often the source of nuisance for neighbours and more careful consideration was needed as to their location and design and the target age of the provision. Where provided by the developer there needed to be greater emphasis on quality and sustainability.

·         Often insufficient weight was given to the consultation feedback on teenage facilities because of the relatively low response rate, although ward councillors were often aware of stronger local feelings about such issues.

Councillors were supportive of the typography contained in the assessment as the basis of the consultation documentation.

RESOLVED – That the report and Open Space Study be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council has been in the process of reviewing and updating the suite of evidence which will underpin the emerging Local Plan. The Open Space Assessment and accompanying Standards paper will form part of this evidence base.

The Working Party is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Sally Maguire on 0161-474-2738 or email: sally.maguire@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing details of the Open Space Assessment and accompanying Standards Paper that would form part of the evidence base which would underpin the emerging Local Plan.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Education sites had not been included within the open space assessment and would be assessed separately against the needs of the educational establishment.

·         Natural and semi-natural spaces included any site which had an ecological value with public access.

·         Members requested that the accuracy of the data contained within Table 2 which assessed current provision against the recommended Stockport quality standard be clarified.

·         In response to a question about the definition of ‘Stockport Quantity Standard’ it was stated that where provision exceeded the national standard, then this should be considered the Stockport standard and should not be reduced below this point.

·         Concern was expressed that quantity standards were being expressed against population data which was figure which would shift over time. 

·         It was commented that office developments could be converted to residential use without the need for any planning consent and as such there could be no requirement for such conversions to make provision for open space.

It was commented that the associated Open Space Assessment Report and Standards Paper had not been enclosed with the agenda for the meeting, and that members needed to have the opportunity to review this information prior to its submission to the Communities & Housing Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this item be deferred to a future meeting of the Working Party pending the Open Space Assessment Report and Standards Paper being circulated to members of the Working Party.