Policy information sourced from Lambeth Local Plan 2020-2035
EN1: Open space, green infrastructure and biodiversity
The council will meet requirements for open space and green infrastructure by:
- Protecting and maintaining open spaces, green infrastructure and their function. Development which would involve the loss of existing public or private open space will not be permitted unless at least one of the following tests is met:
- Replacement open space of equivalent or better quality and quantity is provided within a suitable location in the local area.
- In the case of housing estate amenity areas, significant regeneration and community benefits would be achieved that could not be achieved in any other way, and appropriate compensatory provision for the loss of open space is made, including improvements to the quality of the remaining open space.
- It is for the provision of facilities directly related to the use of open space including ecology centres, indoor sports facilities, changing rooms, toilets or cafes as long as these are appropriate in scale and form to the size and character of the open space and acceptable in terms of impact on openness and do not harm the function and operation of the open space.
- Preventing development which would result in loss, reduction in area or significant harm to the nature conservation or biodiversity value of an open space including any designated or proposed Local Nature Reserves (LNR) or Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) unless adequate mitigation or compensatory measures of equivalent or better biodiversity value are included, appropriate to the nature conservation value of the assets involved. In the case of SINCs, the mitigation hierarchy in London Plan policy G6 C will apply.
- In accordance with London Plan policy G6, development proposals should wherever possible protect, enhance, create or manage nature conservation and biodiversity interest in accordance with the borough’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and the Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy.
- Increasing the quantity of open space and green infrastructure in the borough through proposals such as the Vauxhall Square initiative, the extension of Jubilee Gardens and by linking existing spaces through green chains, the Greenway and Thames Path National Walking trail initiatives, but also through:
- The provision of open space in new developments appropriate to their scale, the uses involved and the location of the development.
- Requiring major development in areas of open space deficiency and/or in areas of access to nature deficiency to provide new on-site open space/access to nature improvements. Where the development proposal includes residential units, this new open space should be in addition to the external amenity space requirements in Local Plan policy H5. Where it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the council that new on-site open space provision or access to nature improvements would not be feasible and/or effective, a payment in lieu will be sought as a planning obligation to enable the provision of new open space or improvements to the accessibility of existing public open space in the vicinity of the development, including their nature conservation and biodiversity value. Planning obligations will also be sought towards management and maintenance of new or improved open space.
- Where appropriate and feasible, ensuring that development is designed so as to contribute to the creation or extension of green chains and links (‘green corridors’) involving safe, healthy, convenient and attractive access for pedestrians and cyclists and to promote migration and protection of plants, animals and habitats of biodiversity importance.
- Improving the quality of, and access to, existing open space and green infrastructure, including the range of facilities available and its biodiversity and nature conservation value and heritage value, through various means including the implementation of the Lambeth Open Spaces Strategy and Lambeth Green Infrastructure Strategy.
- Applying London Plan policy G5 in relation to the urban greening factor for major developments. For other developments the council will strongly encourage inclusion of urban greening measures. Development proposals should incorporate living roofs and walls where feasible and appropriate to the character and context of the development. All proposals should include a maintenance plan for the lifetime of the development. Planning obligations may be sought to cover future maintenance of green infrastructure.
For more information please see the Local Plan