Policy information sourced from the Haringey Local Plan: Strategic Policies

SP13: Open Space and Biodiversity

New development shall protect and improve Haringey’s parks and open spaces. All new development shall:

  • Protect and enhance, and when and where possible, extend the existing boundaries of the borough’s Green Belt, designated Metropolitan Open Land, designated Open Spaces, Green Chains, allotments, river corridors and other open spaces from inappropriate development;
  • Provide amenity space in accordance with the Council’s Open Space and Recreational Standards Supplementary Planning Document (SPD);
  • Manage the impact of such new developments in areas adjacent to designated open space;
  • Secure improvements, enhancement and management in both quality and access to existing green spaces;
  • Seek on-site or financial contributions towards open space from new developments as set out in the Open Space and Recreational Standards SPD;
  • Seek to secure opportunities for additional publicly accessible open space especially in those identified areas of Open Space deficiency e.g. in the east of the borough where the quality and amount of provision is poorer as set out in the Council’s Open Space and Recreational Standards SPD; and
  • Conserve the historic significance of the borough’s designated historic parks and gardens.

All development shall protect and improve sites of biodiversity and nature conservation, including private gardens through its:

  • Contribution to wildlife and ecological habitats and, where possible, include green and brown roofs, rainwater harvesting, green walls, bird and bat nesting/roosting opportunities;
  • Protection, management and maintenance of existing trees and the planting of new trees where appropriate; and
  • Protection, enhancement and creation of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).

The Council will enhance and improve the borough’s green infrastructure through:

  • Implementation of the Haringey Green Grid projects (such as Lordship Recreation Ground Improvements);
  • Working with adjoining boroughs and partners to safeguard the existing Green Infrastructure, to create new green infrastructure and link up sites; and
  • Working with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to protect and enhance access to the park, its waterside open spaces and habitats, recreational and sporting facilities.

New development shall provide opportunities for Children’s Play Space by:

  • Protecting and enhancing existing play spaces;
  • Making provision for children’s informal or formal play space in addition to amenity space provision as set out above;
  • Provide children’s informal or formal play space to meet minimum of 3m2 as set out in the Council’s Open Space Standards SPD and an aspirational target of 10m2 as set out in the Mayor’s SPG Providing for Children’s and Young People’s Play and Informal recreation;
  • Ensuring easy access to a range of quality and safe play opportunities for all children and within a practical journey from their home without the need to use public or private transport;
  • Provide play spaces that are attractive, welcoming and engaging for all children and young people, children of both gender, disabled children and children from minority groups in the community; and
  • Securing a financial contribution pursuant to a S106 Agreement towards the provision of Children’s Play Space and ensuring its long term maintenance is addressed through planning obligations.

Developers will need to demonstrate:

  • That the potential for play spaces for a range of outdoor activities and across different age groups can be provided on off-site open space(s) which already exist and which are close to the application site;
  • They’re working with the relevant agencies, community groups and developers to ensure the provision of safe, stimulating play facilities; and
  • How they will secure new open spaces and SINCs, through identifying and securing funding to purchase and enhance such sites in areas of deficiency, such that there is a net increase in provision.

For more information please see the Haringey Local Plan: Strategic Policies