Epping Forest - DM6 Designated and Undesignated Open Spaces

DM6 Designated and Undesignated Open Spaces

Where appropriate development proposals will be required to provide open space, or links to open space (with the exception of to the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation) in accordance with the guidance contained within the Infrastructure Delivery Plans Schedules and the Council’s adopted Green Infrastructure Strategy. National space standards and quantity guidelines will be used as a starting point for provision.
Development on open spaces will only be permitted if it does not result in a net loss of usable publicly accessible open space or reasonable publicly accessible access to alternative publicly accessible open space within a settlement. Existing open space should not be built upon unless:
1. an assessment has been undertaken showing the land to be surplus to requirements; or
2. development would not have a detrimental impact on public accessibility to open space; or
3. the loss would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity or quality in a suitable location; or
4. the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the need for which clearly outweighs the loss.
In circumstances where partial loss of an open space is considered justified, the predominantly open nature of the remainder of the site should be maintained and enhanced in terms of its visual amenity and function for active play and recreation.