Policy information sourced from the Islington Local Plan
G3 New public open space
- Developments in excess of 200 net additional residential units or 10,000sqm net additional gross external floorspace, or where a specific need has been identified by the Council, are required to provide on-site publicly accessible public open space. The level of provision must be proportionate to the size of the proposal and the number of intended occupiers/users. Public open space must be provided in addition to private amenity space and landscaping and must provide unrestricted public access, in perpetuity.
- Public open space should normally be green public open space, such as a public park. Areas of new or improved hard landscaped public open space, such as civic space, may be considered appropriate instead of green public open space in certain areas (such as Town Centres), and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. In such cases it must be demonstrated that the provision of green public open space is not possible or appropriate. Hard landscaped space must maximise greening features such as planting and permeable paving.
- New or improved public open space provision must:
- create/improve links with other green infrastructure and permeability with the wider area;
- maximise biodiversity benefits and access to nature, by incorporating areas of biodiversity that complement surrounding habitats and support the Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan;
- maximise sustainability benefits, including urban cooling and sustainable drainage, including the use of permeable surfaces;
- be designed to be safe and accommodate and encourage physical activity for all, promoting walking, cycling and social interaction; and
- be overlooked, designed and managed to meet diverse and changing needs.
- The temporary use of sites (such as those awaiting development) for public open space, sport and recreation, or nature conservation must be considered. This includes very small sites such as pocket parks and the use of parking spaces as parklets.
For more information please see the Islington Local Plan