Policy information sourced from South Bucks Core Strategy Development Plan Document

Core Policy 5: Open Space, Sport and Recreation - Existing Open Space

Open space, sport and recreational facilities will be protected and enhanced in line with national guidance in PPG17. The loss of open space, sport and recreational facilities will only be permitted in the exceptional circumstances set out below:

  • It is of low value or quality and it cannot be usefully or practically enhanced for recreational benefit.
  • There is clear evidence to show that there is no local quantitative or qualitative deficiency in open space, sport or recreational provision.
  • It is of low biodiversity interest.
  • The site is within a settlement excluded from the Green Belt, and makes no significant contribution to the character of the area.
  • The proposed new use or uses would be of demonstrable benefit to the local community, for example affordable housing, alternative community uses or specialist accommodation for older people.

For the avoidance of doubt, any proposal would need to comply with all five of the requirements set out above.

New residential development should be supported by adequate open space and recreation facilities in terms of quantity, quality and accessibility. Opportunities for creating new or enhanced facilities will be sought wherever possible, particularly where there are quantitative or qualitative deficiencies as shown in the most up to date Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Strategy. For example, the potential to provide or improve such provision will need to be explored at the Wilton Park and Mill Lane Opportunity Sites when they are redeveloped.

Local open space standards for South Bucks will be developed to help guide on-site provision or off-site contributions to open space, sport and recreational facilities through the Development Management process. Initially, the Open Space, Sports and Recreational Facilities Strategy will be used to guide negotiations.

For more information please see the Core Strategy Development Plan Document