Issue - meetings

The report of the Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager

The Planning Policy and Land Charges Team Manager presented the report.

Members thanked Officers for their hard work during the consultation period.

In light of a formal Councillor Questions item on the agenda, it was agreed that the following exchange would be reproduced verbatim in the minutes.

Question to Local Plan Committee 22^nd May 2024

Hugglescote and Donington le Heath Neighbourhood Plan “Donington Fields Local Green Space”

Question 1: Ashburton Road Recreation Ground

The proposed Neighbourhood Plan was considered by the Independent Examiner. In his report dated 21^st July 2021 he noted in para 4.21 “My concern about Donington Fields is that, at 11.7ha, it is extensive in nature and that the northernmost two plots owned by the Thomas Harley Charities may not endure beyond the Plan period, contrary to advice in paragraph 99 of the NPPF. Furthermore, some of the individual plots of land scored significantly below the threshold set by the Plan for eligibility for LGS, notably plots 097 and 97A. Therefore, in accepting that most of Donington Fields meets the other designation criteria, I shall recommend that this LGS is modified by the exclusion of the northern most plots of land. (PM8).”

I would be grateful if Officers can provide me with answers to the following points:

• The two parcels of land, known as the Recreation Ground/Childrens Play Area, has had free and unobstructed pedestrian access for recreation purposes for a considerable number of decades. My understanding is that the updated NPPF dated 20^th December 2023 now provides additional protections/safeguarding to existing recreation sites. Considering this NPPF clarification, can the above two sites be designated as ‘protected open space’ as part of the current Local Plan Review?

Response

There was no change to NPPF in respect of the issue of protecting open space, sport and recreation land and buildings. Paragraph 103 requires that they should not be built on unless assessment shows they are surplus to requirements, or the loss would be replaced by alternative provision in a suitable location or it is for an alternative sports use.

The recreation ground and children’s play area would be covered by this policy. The field between the recreation ground and the Manor House, would not.

• Bearing in mind that the Examiner states “in accepting that most of Donington Fields meets other designation criteria”, can Officers please explain what these other designations are please?

Response

The reference to other designation criteria refers to paragraph 106 of the NPPF. This states:

The Local Green Space designation should only be used where the green space is:

a) in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves;

 b) demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife; and

c) local in character and is not an extensive tract of land

The Examiner’s concern related to point c) as he considered it to be “extensive in nature”.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5