Policy information sourced from Barking and Dagenham Borough Wide Development Policies DPD
POLICY BP5: EXTERNAL AMENITY SPACE
The Council will only grant planning permission for new dwellings where they provide appropriate external private and/ or communal amenity space to meet the needs generated by the development.
This amenity space will normally be expected to, at least, meet the following minimum standards:
1 bedroom flat 20 sqm
2+ bedroom flat 40 sqm
2 bedroom house 50 sqm
3 bedroom house 60 sqm
4+ bedroom house 75 sqm Rear gardens of houses should have a minimum depth of 12 metres Amenity space for all new dwellings should be:
- Private, useable, functional and safe.
- Easily accessible from living areas.
- Orientated to maximise sunlight.
- Of a sufficient size to meet the needs of the likely number of occupiers.
Where a site adjoins countryside or extensive parkland and the scheme is designed to benefit from the open aspect then there may be scope for a reduction in the provision of amenity space. In this instance, the Council may seek a contribution towards the improvement of an existing open space through a Section 106 agreement.
Where developments in town centre locations and strategic regeneration sites are not able to provide external amenity space on site the applicant should demonstrate that suitable alternatives such as useable roof terraces, roof gardens and balconies have been considered and incorporated wherever possible. The qualitative criteria set out above will still need to be met. Again in these instances, the Council may seek a contribution towards the improvement of an existing open space through a Section 106 agreement.
For more information please see the Borough Wide Development Policies DPD