Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

GR2 Open space

Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

D A greener borough,

E Responding to the climate emergency,

G Healthy and safe communities,

H Securing the timely delivery of infrastructure.

A Open spaces are integral components of Lewisham’s Green Grid. A publicly accessible open space network makes a key contribution towards ensuring that the Borough continues to be open and inclusive of all. The network also responds to the challenge of climate change and will be protected from inappropriate development, in accordance with Lewisham’s open space hierarchy.

Designated Open Spaces

B Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and Local Green Space (LGS) are afforded the same level of protection as Green Belt. Development proposals on MOL and LGS will be considered in accordance with the London Plan and national planning policies that apply to Green Belt land.

C Proposals for new development should explore and where appropriate maximise opportunities to introduce new additional publicly accessible open space to meet the needs arising from development. Proposals will give priority to delivering green space, as well as improving connections to existing or planned new open spaces, particularly in areas of open space deficiency. Major developments must incorporate new publicly accessible open space unless it can be clearly demonstrated that this is not feasible, in which case off-site contributions, or delivery may be sought. Proposals will achieve this by:

  1. Prioritising the delivery of new publicly accessible open space on-site, ensuring that its provision is integrated into the development’s design from the outset.
  2. Ensuring that the design, scale, and nature of new open space is informed by and meets the needs of the end users of the wider development. Where it is possible and can be delivered simultaneously, proposals should also consider measures that address existing deficiencies (as identified under (Figures 10.5 and 10.6)). The latter will only be sought in circumstances where on-site needs and wider deficiencies are aligned and can be met without prejudice to the viability of the proposal.
  3. Delivering new open space that is genuinely publicly accessible and inclusive for both those who will use the development site and those who may visit it. Access arrangements must be accessible to all possible users. New provision should be sited and located to optimise inclusive access. Proposals that could marginalise the use of the open space will be resisted.
  4. In circumstances where it is demonstrably not possible to deliver new additional publicly accessible open space provision on-site, proposals must explore the delivery of appropriate improvements on existing open space provision, in the locality, that deliver an increase in their capacity to accommodate the need (in full) being generated by the development. Such proposals will be supported by appropriate and proportionate technical evidence that demonstrates how and when this will be delivered.

D Development proposals involving the loss of Strategic Open Space will be strongly resisted and only permitted in the following exceptional circumstances:

  • Replacement provision of at least an equivalent amount (i.e. no net loss) and better quality will be provided. The replacement provision must:
    1. Be located within the Borough and in reasonable proximity to the existing open space, with equivalent or better access by walking, cycling and public transport;
    2. Not result in an increase in public open space deficiency; and
    3. Be publicly accessible;
  • The development will provide a wider public benefit which clearly outweighs the loss of the existing open space;
  • There will be no adverse impact on biodiversity, with reference to Policy GR3 (Biodiversity and access to nature);
  • Suitable replacement provision will be made for outdoor sports facilities or playing fields, with reference to London Plan policy S5 (Sports and recreation facilities), as well as allotments and community gardens where appropriate; and
  • Where the development involves part of an area of open space the quality of any remaining open space will not be eroded by the development.

E Where development proposals satisfy the requirements of GR3 Part C above, the full quantity of replacement open space must be secured prior to the commencement of the development. Planning conditions and/or legal agreements will be used to ensure the open space is appropriately secured.

F Neighbourhood forums are encouraged to undertake detailed assessments to identify appropriate sites to designate as Local Green Space in neighbourhood development plans.

Neighbourhood Open Space

G Development proposals involving the reconfiguration of Neighbourhood Open Space will only be supported where:

  • There is no net loss of open space, including play space, and net gains are achieved wherever possible;
  • There is no detrimental impact on the environmental function of the open space, including support for nature conservation;
  • There will be demonstrable improvements in the quality of open space and public access to it; and
  • The reconfiguration is delivered through comprehensive development, in line with a site wide masterplan, and will ensure a viable future for the open space.

H Development proposals resulting in the net loss of Neighbourhood Open Space will only be permitted where it is demonstrated that:

  • The development will provide a wider public benefit which clearly outweighs the loss of the open space;
  • The development cannot feasibly be delivered without the loss of part or all of the open space;
  • A design options appraisal has been used to ensure the minimal amount of open space will be lost and that any remaining open space is of a higher quality, with greater multifunctional use (for example play space, habitat creation or climate change adaptation measures);
  • There will be improvements to the quality of the remaining open space; and e. Appropriate provision is made for existing play space and market space with reference to CI 3 (Play and informal recreation) and EC 20 (Markets).

I Development proposals for ancillary uses on open space that help to improve the quality of open space and promote access to a wide range of users will be supported where they:

  • Are demonstrably ancillary to the use of land as open space;
  • Are necessary to facilitate or support the appropriate use of the open space;
  • Do not have a detrimental impact on the environmental function of the open space, including support for nature conservation;
  • Respond positively to local character, including by maintaining or enhancing the visual quality of the open space and its setting;
  • Are of a scale and function that is proportionate to the nature of the open space; and
  • Are of a high-quality design, including by following inclusive and safe design principles, and do not detract from the amenity provided by the open space.

Enhancing the quality and function of open spaces

I With reference to Policy GR4 (Lewisham Links) development must maintain and wherever possible enhance access to and connections between the network of open spaces within and outside the Borough. Priority should be given to measures that encourage walking, cycling and other active travel modes along routes that link open spaces such as the South East London Green Chain, Waterlink Way, the Thames Path and other local elements of the All London Green Grid.

J Development proposals located adjacent to open space must respond positively to the character of the open space as well as protect, and wherever possible enhance, the biodiversity value and visual amenity provided by it.

Table 10.1: Lewisham’s open space hierarchy
CATEGORISATIONDESCRIPTIONPRIMARY FUNCTION
Metropolitan Open Land and Local Green SpaceMOL and LGS are the highest order of open space in the Borough. As set out in the London Plan Policy G3 and NPPF, they are afforded the same level of protection as Green Belt. MOL is designated on the Policies Map. LGS is designated in Neighbourhood Plans.MOL are extensive areas of land bounded by urban development around London that fulfils a similar function to Green Belt. LGS are green spaces which are demonstrably special to a local community and hold a particular local significance because of their beauty, recreational value, tranquillity or richness of wildlife and biodiversity.
Strategic Open SpaceOpen spaces that are significant to the Borough’s open space and wider green infrastructure network. Strategic Open Spaces are designated on the Policies Map.Green spaces including: Parks and gardens, natural and semi-natural green space, green corridors, allotments and community gardens, outdoor sports facilities and playing fields and formal amenity green space.
Neighbourhood Open SpaceOpen spaces that make an important contribution to the liveability of neighbourhoods. These can include but are not limited to green spaces. Neighbourhood Open Spaces are not designated on the Policies Map.Provision for children and young people, informal amenity space and civic and market squares and hard surface areas designed for pedestrians.

For more information and policy context please see the Lewisham Local Plan