Policy information sourced from the Medway Local Plan 2003
L4 Provision of Open Space in New Residential Developments
Where there is a proven deficiency, residential development proposals shall make open space provision, within an agreed timescale, in accordance with the following:
- residential development likely to be occupied by 100 people or more shall include well located local open space for formal recreation on-site at a standard equivalent to 1.7 hectares per 1,000 population and open space for children’s play and casual recreation on-site at a standard equivalent to 0.7 hectares per 1,000 population. Provision of some or all of the formal open space off-site or the improvement or extension of an existing off-site facility will be permitted where the council is satisfied that this would be a better alternative;
- residential developments likely to be occupied by between 50 and 100 people should include well located local open space for children’s play and casual recreation on-site at a standard equivalent to 0.7 hectares per 1,000 population;
- in small residential developments likely to be occupied by less than 50 people, contributions will be sought towards the provision of children’s play and casual recreation which is fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development proposal. Such contributions will only be sought where provision can be made in a location close to, and easily accessible from, the development and would be of direct benefit to the occupiers.
Play provision should incorporate facilities based on the hierarchy set out in Table 1 [p227].
Where the existing formal open space provision in the vicinity exceeds the N.P.F.A. minimum requirement for outdoor play space, an informal open space element will be sought on-site in lieu, applying the same standard.
In the case of sheltered housing and special needs housing for the elderly, formal open space and children’s play/casual space will not be required. Informal open space provision will be sought on-site in lieu of the formal open space requirement.
For more information please see the Medway Local Plan 2003