Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity (and Deputy Leader) to submit a report seeking the agreement of Cabinet to adopt the Melton Mowbray Open Spaces Strategy and Action Plan, following the responses received from consultation feedback

Cabinet

1)    NOTED the responses given to consultation comments;

2)    ADOPTED the Melton Mowbray Open Spaces Strategy and Action Plan which appears at Appendix 1, including:

·         Opportunity to reclassify some types of existing open spaces to help with deficiencies in semi-natural open space and allotments, which will reduce maintenance costs;

·         A methodology to allow for developer contributions to provide investment in off-site open spaces or enhancement to those existing nearby, or allow for strategic investment in larger projects, in lieu of on-site provision of often limited value;

·         The potential for a large publically accessible site to the south of the town for further investigation;

·         A methodology for capital and revenue contributions from developers to be negotiated in Section 106 agreements to provide clear and transparent costs for the Council to consider the adoption of open spaces in future developments;

3)    NOTED the recommendations within the Cemetery Provision Report to inform future consideration of cemetery provision.

Jim Worley, Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seeking the agreement of Cabinet to adopt the Melton Mowbray Open Spaces Strategy and Action Plan, following the responses received from consultation feedback

Mr Worley advised that the Strategy and Action Plan enabled a more strategic and design led approach to open spaces.  Key findings included:

• opportunities to consider how to re-use open spaces (e.g. converting some to semi-natural open spaces and allotments).
• presentation of an approach to developer contributions to provide off-site solutions in lieu of on-site provision.  It was recognised that there was potential for a large publicly accessible open space facility in the south of the town.
• Provision of a methodology for capital and revenue sums to enable the adoption of open spaces.

Mr. Worley advised that information on cemetery provision was detailed within Appendix 3 of the report.

Mr. Worley highlighted that this strategic approach was a significant change in direction and would lead to better facilities for the whole community.  It was important that stakeholders recognised this and the future changes as a result.  He emphasised that the role of open space (to protect a view or a feature or provide relief from the built form) remained and would be expected from developers under planning policy and the forthcoming Design SPD, even if the provision of recreation was found elsewhere through off-site solutions.

Councillor Leigh Higgins, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration (and Deputy Leader highlighted the importance of identifying suitable open space to be used as a new cemetery.  He reiterated that the Strategy and Action Plan represented a fundamental change in how the Council would deal with open spaces in the future but would not compromise design requirements.  This strategic approach would be welcomed by many Councillors who had worked on the Local Plan.

Councillor Higgins drew Members attention to the table on capital contributions for new open spaces, detailed at paragraph 4.19 of the report.  This showed the value attached to the green space and provided clarity and transparency in the way the Council sought developer contributions.

During discussion the following points were noted:

• Members thanked Councillor Higgins and officers for their work in developing the Strategy and Action Plan
• Members noted the high level consultation which had been undertaken
• Members welcomed the reference to environmental and climate change implications within the report, particularly the intention to increase cycle routes (through funding for leisure provision) and the positive impact on biodiversity as a result of semi-natural open spaces
• Does the open spaces take into account patches of land in between housing estates?
• Reference within the report to open spaces being semi-natural allotments or raised beds related to existing open spaces and in future such small patches may be avoided to enable a larger community space.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED the responses given to consultation comments;

2)     ADOPTED the Melton Mowbray Open Spaces Strategy and Action Plan   which appears at Appendix 1, including:

·         Opportunity to reclassify some types of existing open spaces to help with deficiencies in semi-natural open space and allotments, which will reduce maintenance costs;

·         A methodology to allow for developer contributions to provide investment in off-site open spaces or enhancement to those existing nearby, or allow for strategic investment in larger projects, in lieu of on-site provision of often limited value;

·         The potential for a large publically accessible site to the south of the town for further investigation;

·         A methodology for capital and revenue contributions from developers to be negotiated in Section 106 agreements to provide clear and transparent costs for the Council to consider the adoption of open spaces in future developments;

3)   NOTED the recommendations within the Cemetery Provision Report to inform future consideration of cemetery provision.

Reason for the decision

Formal adoption of the Melton Mowbray Open Spaces Strategy and Action Plan is sought in order to provide a deliverable Open Spaces Strategy for Melton Mowbray which reflects the requirements within Policy EN7 of the Local Plan.

As well as guiding the size, type and distribution of open spaces that will be provided across the urban area, the work sets out a well evidenced and transparent formula based approach to seeking developer contributions for the provision, enhancement, management and maintenance of open spaces, to ensure that the spaces provided are sustainable over the long term.

The consultation feedback was generally positive with some useful additions and comments received. This feedback has been implemented within the Melton Mowbray Open Spaces Strategy to produce the final document.

The current cemetery within Melton Borough is nearing capacity. The Cemetery Provision Report identifies suitable sites for a new cemetery and an extension to the existing cemetery.