Policy information sourced from Newham Local Plan 2018

INF7 - Open Space and Outdoor Recreation

Proposals that address the following strategic principles, spatial strategy and design and technical criteria will be supported:

  • Strategic Principles
    • Encouraging active use, including through improvements to the quantity, quality, accessibility and connectivity of open space and the Blue Ribbon Network throughout the Borough;
    • Realisation of the Lea River Park vision, achieving regional park and/or Metropolitan Open Land status; and
    • Parks, allotment and playing pitch deficiencies (refer to SP9 and the IDP) will be reduced, with Major developments incorporating provision that meets their own needs and where appropriate, contributes to wider needs. Key priorities include District and Local Parks and provision within the Arc of Opportunity.
  • Spatial Strategy
    • Existing open spaces (including riverside access, allotments and burial space) and outdoor recreation facilities will be protected as per INF6 and 8;
    • New open spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities will be delivered primarily on Strategic Sites and along the Blue Ribbon Network, including but not limited to those contributing to delivery of the Lea River Park1 and Thames Path; and
    • The emerging ‘green grid’ will become increasingly publicly-accessible (where compatible with SC4) and contribute to connectivity in the Borough and beyond, building on the roles and opportunities presented by the Greenway and Leaway, (see INF1 and INF2), the green chain of Metropolitan Open Land in the East of the borough, and continuity of river corridors.
  • Design and technical criteria
    • Infrastructure to improve the quality and accessibility of open space will have minimal impact on the open-ness and other valued qualities of the space as per SP1, SP2, SP5, SC4, INF6 and 8;
    • Open spaces should be designed to enhance urban cooling and biodiversity (see SC1, SC4 and INF6) and play a role in flood water storage and drainage (see SC3 and the SFRA);
    • Open spaces and outdoor recreation facilities should be designed to be inclusive and accessible as far as possible, delivering welcoming spaces that consider affordable access, flexible use, security, and availability/provision of publicly-accessible toilets. Proposals should include provisions for sustainable ongoing management and maintenance;
    • The requirement for Play and Informal Recreation Space to be provided for as part of new residential developments as per the Mayor of London’s SPG or subsequent updates; and;
    • Further to the set-back specified in SC3, developments located adjacent to the Blue Ribbon Network should integrate with and enhance the waterside environment, providing improved amenity space and access to the waterfront while facilitating safe and active use of the waterspace. This will include provision of riparian lifesaving equipment where necessary; and
    • Developments within 6.2km of the Epping Forest SAC with the potential to give rise to significant recreational disturbance impacts (bearing in mind likely travel routes) should undertake an assessment of impact on the SAC.

For more information please see the Local Plan 2018