Policy information sourced from Runnymede Local Plan
SL25: Existing Open Space
The Council will seek to protect, maintain, and where possible, enhance existing open spaces to encourage quality and accessibility improvements in order to ensure a continued contribution to the health and well-being of local communities.
The Council will not permit the loss or displacement of existing open space to other uses unless it can be demonstrated, through up-to-date and robust evidence, that:
- There is a proven surplus of provision and the site is no longer needed, or is unlikely to be required in the future; or
- The benefit of the development to the community outweighs the harm caused by the loss of the facility; or
- An alternative facility of an equal quantity and quality or higher standard will be provided in at least an equally convenient and accessible location to serve the same local community. The local accessibility standards highlighted within the most up-to-date Open Space Study at the time of any planning application should be relied upon to support any arguments advanced.
Developments which look to maintain or increase the quality of open spaces, in particular natural and semi natural spaces, to provide an improved environment for wildlife and to achieve recreation enhancements for the community, will be welcomed.
For more information please see the Local Plan