Policy information sourced from the Sutton Local Plan 2016-2031

25: Open Spaces

a. The council will seek to retain the existing level of open space in the borough by:

  1. refusing development of all open space and play space in the borough (as identified on the Policies Map) unless
    • it can be demonstrated that such development would preserve or enhance its open character, its function as a sport, leisure or recreational resource, and its contribution to visual amenity, or
    • the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in the local area.
  2. enhancing the supply of open space to meet the needs of the borough’s growing population, by seeking on-site provision of publicly accessible open space, particularly in major new development in areas of deficiency.
  3. supporting improvements, enhancements, and management that improve both quality and access to existing green spaces.
  4. enhancing the role of Metropolitan Green Chains within the borough by protecting the open spaces within them from inappropriate development and improving walking and cycling linkages between them.
  5. working with partners and stakeholders to support and promote measures to help deliver the vision of the Wandle Valley Regional Park as a network of high quality, accessible and interconnected open spaces based around the River Wandle.
  6. supporting new high quality outdoor sports facilities to promote sports and recreation across the borough.
  7. promoting the multi-functional and shared use of existing open space for play and sports facilities and playing pitches, subject to satisfactory management arrangements being put in place.
  8. supporting proposals for new children’s play space in accordance with the Mayor’s ‘Shaping Neighbourhoods: Play and Informal Recreation’ Supplementary Planning Guidance (September 2012)
  9. resisting development on allotments, unless it can be demonstrated that:
    • they are no longer needed to meet local demand.
    • existing allotment users can be relocated to a new or existing allotment site within a reasonable distance of their homes.

b. The council will encourage and support the provision of community-run and managed allotments and community food growing spaces in major new developments where practicable.

c. The council will safeguard sufficient land required to meet the borough’s future need for burial space over the plan period.

For Metropolitan Green Chains see Appendix 5, Map 5.23 and the Policies Map

For Public Open Space see Appendix 5, Map 5.24 and the Policies Map

For Urban Green Space see Appendix 5, Map 5.25 and the Policies Map

For Allotments see Appendix 5, Map 5.26 and the Policies Map

For Green Spaces Safeguarded for the Wandle Valley Regional Park see Appendix 5, Maps 5.27 and 5.28 and

the Policies Map

For Land Reserved for Burial Space Use see Appendix 4, Maps 4.1 to 4.3 and the Policies Map

For Deficiencies for parks and play areas see Appendix 5 Maps 5.29 to 5.33 and Table 5.1

For more information please see the Local Plan 2016-2031