Issue - meetings

To respond to the consultation in respect of the above item before its approval by the Executive.

The Head of Parks and Countryside gave a presentation on the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy and Quality Improvements Programme.

The focus of the programme was recreational open spaces providing mitigation and infrastructure to enable the Council to deliver sustainable development and growth, such as Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces (SANGs).

Priorities included access to land and strategic recreational corridors, empowering and involving local communities, and healthy active lifestyles. Objectives included provision, maintenance, and use and enjoyment. Sustaining and raising quality standards and meeting the needs of a growing population were important.

Standards focused on Green Flag criteria and included exploring and protecting rare heathland sites, accessibility, and clear signage. Section 106 contributions would be applied in relation to benchmark standards and there were specific legal constraints regarding the use of Section 106 contributions. BFC were consulting on a two phase project regarding improvements to the parks and open spaces of the borough. Phase one was to prioritise green spaces in need of improvement and networks to help map contributions.

Arising from Members’ questions and comments the following points were made:

• BFC had a broad portfolio of land holdings with different areas and functions. Management decisions lay with the land manager and the sectors in BFC were reviewed regularly in relation to the Council’s priorities and portfolio’s.
• Officers worked together to inform policies regarding the amount and quality of open space and these policies were implemented through Section 106 agreements.
• Links would be created to and between green spaces in the borough.
• A mailshot had been sent to all Borough Councillors and members would be further involved and invited to make suggestions on the Strategy and Programme at the next stage of the process.
• Housing numbers compared favourably in Bracknell against Natural England standards. The Strategy would not conflict with new housing in the borough; it would give opportunities to expand on and improve green spaces.
• There were projects to improve woodland quality and the path network in the borough, and with new housing there would be buffers between the housing and green spaces.
• The natural qualities of green spaces would be reinforced to keep their wild character, particularly in meadows and woodland areas.
• Plants were being introduced in certain places in the borough which were more sustainable in extreme weather conditions, such as at the Italian Gardens at South Hill Park and Crowthorne Woods. There was a higher biodiversity value and reduced costs due to less servicing.