Open Space Strategies Leaflet
Transcript of Open Space Strategies Leaflet
-
8/14/2019 Open Space Strategies Leaflet
1/8
Open space strategiesWhat local authority decision
makers need to know
-
8/14/2019 Open Space Strategies Leaflet
2/8
Ste
veMcLaren
Producing a strategy has helped
us prioritise our resources and
achieve political and community
support or our investment
ambitions. We are ocussing
on raising the quality o green
space, particularly in deprived
neighbourhoods.
Peter Wilkinson,parks service manager,
Bristol City Council
-
8/14/2019 Open Space Strategies Leaflet
3/8
An open space strategy sets
out how a local authority
will invest in and manage
the open space in its area.
The strategy should apply toall the open space not justthat owned or managed by theauthority and cover parks, openspace, town squares, streets,play space and housing land. Itprovides the evidence, sets thedirection and helps secure undsor investment in open space.
The quality o public space givesa strong impression o an area.It is part o what gives a town orcity its identity and it gives localresidents a sense o civic pride or shame i it is poor quality.Investing in public space is along-term investment in your townand citys sustainable uture creating a thriving place where
people want to live, visit andwork. Research1 has shown thatbetter quality street design andproximity to well-designed andmanaged parks and green spacesresults in higher property valuesand has a positive inuenceon business perormance
and investor confdence.
What can an open spacestrategy deliver?
1 CABE (2004) The Value of openspace; CABE (2007) Paved with gold
the real value of street design
Tower
HamletsScenicireland.com/C
hristopherHillPhotography/alamy
BlaiseCastle,BristolBristolCityCouncil
-
8/14/2019 Open Space Strategies Leaflet
4/8
Why should you produce anopen space strategy now?
An open space strategy oers local
authorities a huge opportunity to
demonstrate high perormance
and leadership in delivering great
places and improve quality o lie.
Improve peoples quality o lie
We know that cities and towns thatinvest in and maintain generous,high-quality public open space lookbetter, eel better and work better.Prioritising investment in openspaces is not just about aesthetics.It helps resolve problems such asobesity, poor health and deprivationand the need or sustainabletransport, climate change adaptationand community development.
These wider benefts o open spaceshould be understood by departmentsrom across your authority androm other organisations such ashealth authorities and the police.
Improve your authoritys
perormance
Comprehensive area assessment(CAA) identifes 10 broad themesagainst which local perormanceis assessed. Positioning your openspace strategy to deliver your localpriorities, and contribute to some othese themes, such as saety andhealth, will help you to demonstratethe role o open space in deliveringgood perormance or the council.
CAA also gives councils the chanceto demonstrate best practice. Agood quality open space strategycan provide an opportunity or acouncil to earn an Audit CommissionGreen Flag or innovative practice
and promising perormance.
A good strategy will:
Work across departmentsdrawing in expertise and deliveringbenefts to address the widerneighbourhood agenda
Respond to objectives set withinyour community strategyDemonstrate how partnershipworking improves services.
Our green space strategy sets
out clearly how green space
delivers against the councils
corporate objectives. Green
space is now a key part o the
strategic planning o Walsall
Graham Hood,head o green spaces,Walsall Council
-
8/14/2019 Open Space Strategies Leaflet
5/8
What are the rewards roman open space strategy?
An open space strategy is asubstantial piece o work.Producing a strategy can taketwo years or more and it needsdedicated leadership, an adequatebudget, investment in skills andcareul project management.But this investment in peopleand time can pay dividends. Asa management tool, it will ensurethat any investment in open spacehappens where it will have greatestimpact. It can lead directly to newsources o unds or your authority.For example, Blackburn with DarwenCouncil won European regionaldevelopment und money to improveits allotments ater writing anopen spaces strategy. And TowerHamlets won Play Pathfnder moneyto create a new network o naturalplay environments in the borough.
An open space strategy can deliveron your requirements to meet national
planning guidance (particularlyPPG17 or open space, sport andrecreation). It should align withyour local development ramework(LDF), which brings the status o astatutory document and is a materialconsideration in the determination oplanning applications indeed it can
have most impact and legal weighti it is adopted as a supplementaryplanning document as part o yourLDF, as happened in Torbay.
We are pleased that Torbays
green space strategy has been
adopted as a supplementary
planning document. The
involvement o stakeholders
and local residents in the
process o creating the strategy
means that we have a robust
plan with legal weight that
can be used to secure the
appropriate resources or the
long-term uture o our parks
and green spaces.
Elizabeth Raikes,chie executive, Torbay Council
NaturalEngland/DorrstepGreens
-
8/14/2019 Open Space Strategies Leaflet
6/8
It is critical to think across awhole authority in marshalling theresources to produce a strategy.An open space strategy works bestwhen it is championed by electedmembers and supported by headso service. It will be led by theplanning and parks departmentsbut will involve all those withresponsibility or open spaces, orexample childrens play services,highways or housing. Collaborationbuilds better cross-departmentalrelationships and raises the profleo open space in your authority.
Beyond your authority you willneed to involve a range o externalpartners who can play importantroles in ensuring open spaceis managed and used or thebeneft o all the police, the localhealth authority, social housingmanagers, charitable trustsand voluntary organisations.
You also need to capture theirneeds and aspirations o thecommunity this needs to be at theheart o an eective open spacestrategy. Eective engagement atevery stage is essential but can paydividends in terms o setting local
priorities and delivering higherlevels o resident satisactionwith council perormance.
Who should beinvolved?
Planning or climate change
requires residents and local
public service providers to
work together. Our green space
strategy has set the ramework
or this by setting out clearly
and simply the contribution that
council services can make.
Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin,leader Bournemouth Council
LowerGardens,BournemouthMarkEllis&AshleyBingha
m,ICDLtd
-
8/14/2019 Open Space Strategies Leaflet
7/8
CABE Spaces guide, Openspace strategies, shows how toprepare a strategy. It groups thekey activities into six stages:
1 Prepare a scoping
study and brie Secure resources Design work programme Set vision
2 Review the context Understand policy context Defne local characteristics Review management and unding3 Understand the supply
o open space Audit quantity, qualityand accessibility oexisting open space
4 Understand demand and need Survey community needsand aspirations
5 Analyse and identiy objectives Setting local standardsand objectives Identiy priorities or improvement
6 Prepare the strategy
and action plan
Write the strategy and action plan Consult on drat strategyand amend as required.
How do you go about producingand using an open space strategy?
The point o a strategy is to getthings done. Once you haveadopted a strategy it needs to beimplemented a wide range opeople and organisations need to besigned up to it, taking responsibilityor delivery and being involved inperiodic reviews and updates tokeep it relevant and eective.
Implement
strategy
Review action
plan annually
Monitor
progressReview and
update strategy
Prepare and adoptopen space strategy
The strategy cycle
-
8/14/2019 Open Space Strategies Leaflet
8/8
This leaet explains to local
authority decision makers
what an open space
strategy is and the tangible
benefts o producing one.
It introduces CABE Spaces
publication, Open space
strategies, which reects the
latest thinking on the role
o open space in improving
the quality o peoples lives,
and which eatures case
studies o recent innovation,
progress and success rom
across England. Copies
o Open space strategies
can be downloaded or
ordered in hard copy rom
www.cabe.org.uk/publications
Commission or Architectureand the Built Environment
The governments advisor on
architecture, urban design
and public space
Published in 2009.
Graphic design by
Draught Associates.
Printed by Blackmore Ltd
on Revive recycled paper.Blackmore Ltd holds ISO14001
environmental accreditation.
Cover image: Centre Square,
Middlesbrough David
Millington Photography Ltd
http://www.cabe.org.uk/