Policy information sourced from the Broxbourne Local Plan

ORC1: New Open Space, Leisure, Sport and Recreational Facilities

The Council will require contributions to the provision of new open space, community and leisure facilities for all residential development proposals, having regard to national guidance, the Council’s Leisure Facilities Strategy, existing provision within the vicinity of a development and the potential for shared use of facilities, and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

Proposals for new leisure facilities, sports facilities, playing fields, children’s playgrounds and allotments which meet a community need will be supported in principle, subject to their design and location, having regard to the following:

  • the impact of the facilities on local residents in terms of environmental quality and general disturbance;
  • the safety and security implications of the development and effectiveness of mitigation measures which could be put in place;
  • access and parking arrangements to and from the facility for vehicles, cycles and pedestrians;
  • opportunities for a net gain in the levels of biodiversity on the site.

Children’s playgrounds should, where possible, provide a degree of flexibility to ensure they can provide a range of facilities for a mix of ages, and adapt to changing play trends.

Arrangements for the maintenance and on-going management of open spaces and playgrounds must be clearly documented in the planning application.

Proposals should aim to provide for the dual or multiple use of facilities for wider community activities. Community Use Agreements will be sought where appropriate.

The areas shown on the Policies Map and Concept Plans at Rosedale Park, Theobalds Park Farm south of Park Plaza West, North of Goffs Lane and at Newgatestreet Road in Goffs Oak, are all designated as new open space. Other specified areas of new open space (see policies CH1, GO5 and Chapter 5) should form part of the masterplan for each site. These areas will be kept permanently free from built development, and should include a mix of formal and informal recreational space, parks and gardens, planting schemes, or landscaping.

For more information please see the Local Plan