Policy information sourced from The Waltham Forest Local Plan Development Management Policies

DM12 Open Space, Sport and Recreation

A) Proposals for inappropriate uses within the Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) would be contrary to planning policy; and, any exceptional case would be regarded as a departure from the plan and would be referred to the Secretary of State. Where development proposals are considered appropriate in accordance with national policy and the London Plan they must additionally:

  • implement a high standard of design in accordance with the principles set out in Policy DM29 (iv).
  • complement and improve the quality of the open space uses.

B) Development proposals should enhance the value of existing open spaces by:

responding to the inherent character and historic significance of the space;

  • optimising physical and visual access between the built environment and open space;
  • Increasing biodiversity value;
  • optimising microclimatic benefit.

C) New high quality and usable open spaces and/or landscape infrastructure must be provided in major new developments. Where new development cannot contribute to usable open space provision or landscaping on-site, or provision is deemed insufficient to the scale or nature of the development, financial contributions will be sought.

D) Proposals for new areas of open space and landscape provision must be accompanied by a maintenance plan for adopted and non adopted areas as a requirement of the planning permission to ensure their long-term successful establishment.

Allotments

E) There should be no net loss of allotment sites (See the Policies Map) and the intensification of land currently used to grow food will be acceptable where management arrangements allow. The Council will expect development proposals to contribute to the supply, quality and accessibility of private and communal spaces on which to grow food and flowers. This may be in the form of financial or on-site contributions. On-site contributions must be supported by a maintenance plan.

Burial Space

F) Proposals for new burial space should demonstrate that the scheme can be successfully integrated into the landscape. In principle burial spaces may be an acceptable use in the Green Belt or MOL, but they must not compromise the openess or visual amenity of these areas.

Parks and Gardens including those of Local Historic Interest

G) All parks within the Borough (See the Policies Map) will be retained and development proposals will only be acceptable where it is ancillary to the open space use and inherent character. Development proposals should demonstrate that there will be no adverse impacts to the setting or visual appearance of historic parks and gardens.

The Lee Valley Regional Park and Epping Forest

H) Development proposals affecting the Lee Valley Regional Park or Epping Forest must not contribute to adverse impacts on amenity, ecological integrity or visitor enjoyment; and will be expected to deliver enhancements where possible. The Council supports Epping Forest’s long term management objectives and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s Park Development Framework. The Contents of the Lee Valley Park Development Framework will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. In summary, its current proposals address:

  • Low Hall and St James’s Park - enhancing the quality and safety of existing pedestrian and cycle routes into the Park;
  • Walthamstow Marsh and Coppermills Fields - strengthening landscape quality in the north at Coppermill Fields and along the eastern edge of the area;
  • Lea Bridge Road Area - improving visitor facilities at the Waterworks Centre, to include visitor accommodation and enhancing the Waterworks Nature Reserve as a regionally significant access to nature destination;
  • Coppermill Lane - improving accessibility at Coppermill Railway and High Bridge Road.
  • Lea Bridge Road - co-ordinating public transport provision for visitors directly into the Park.
  • Lee Valley Pathway - maintaining and enhancing the route of the pathway for walkers and cyclists.
  • Black Path - improving the existing path networks around the facilities on Lea Bridge Road.

Once Lee Valley Regional Park Authority adopts other proposals within the Park affecting areas which form part of the Borough will be treated as a material consideration when applications for planning permission are considered.

Encouraging Active Lifestyles and Providing Recreational Facilities

I) Residential and mixed use proposals will be expected to contribute to the provision of high quality and accessible exercise, play and recreational facilities either on or off site, based on child yields in accordance with the Mayor’s SPG Shaping Neighbourhoods: Play and Informal Recreation.

J) The provision of play space must be in accordance with the Mayor’s Shaping Neighbourhoods: Play and Informal Recreation SPG and the Council’s Urban Design SPD.

K) New recreational development improvements will be expected to provide or enhance the quality of outdoor sports facilities, playing pitches and/or their associated ancillary facilities and access, taking account of priorities set out in the Councils playing pitch strategy. The provision of floodlighting should be assessed on a site-by-site basis taking into account the viability of the facility and impact on the surrounding area.

L) Maintenance and management plans must be submitted as a requirement of the planning permission for all new sports and recreation facilities provided.

For more information please see the Local Plan Development Management Policies