Decision details

Open Space Supplementary Planning Document (2021) update to increase rates for financial contributions to Open Space provision required in accordance with Local Plan policy LP63 (New Open Space).

To increase the rates for financial contributions to Open Space provision from developers in line with inflation, to be effective from 1st April 2024 for all LP63 contributions

·         Parks & Recreation Grounds

·         Natural & Semi-Natural Greenspace

·         Amenity Greenspace

·         Allotments

·         Children & Young People (LAP, LEAP & NEAP)

·         Outdoor Sports

·         MUGA

The Open Space SPD sets out the financial contribution costs per dwelling to be provided towards new or enhanced off-site open space provision within the vicinity of a proposed housing development where appropriate. The financial contributions relate to different types of open space and are calculated using rates and triggers set out in tables 5 and 6 in the SPD, which states “that these figures will be reviewed periodically if the value of land and/or costs change.” These rates have not been reviewed since the adoption of the SPD in 2021 and they will be reviewed annually in this way and increased in-line with inflation.

The 22nd  of June Cabinet 2021 decision on the Quality Places SPDs delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Growth & Regeneration “to make any further minor modifications to the documents that relate exclusively to factual updates, grammatical and formatting corrections for the purposes of publishing the documents.”

Reason: To ensure the council has an up-to-date Open Space Supplementary Planning Document which reflects increased financial contribution rates in line with inflation.

The decision was taken to increase rates for the Open Space SPD in line with inflation, and henceforth carry out annual inflation increases (as required), to ensure FPR 11.1 requirements are met.