TO:
EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR CULTURE, DELIVERY AND PUBLIC
PROTECTION
September 2021
Parks and Open Spaces Quality Improvement – Open space
enhancements in Winkfield
Director of
Place, Planning and Regeneration
1
PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1
To seek
approval for the allocation of S106 funding (£16,245.90) to
support improvements to biodiversity and sustainability at
Winkfield Parish Council sites -Locks Ride Recreation
Ground, Asher Recreation Ground and Cranbourne
Allotment.
1.2
To confirm which financial contributions secured from developers
under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 will be
applied to the project. (see ANNEX 1).
1.3
To confirm that the improvements will be
implemented by Winkfield Parish Council if approved.
2
RECOMMENDATION(S)
2.1
That £16,245.90
of S106
contributions (as summarised in ANNEX
1) are allocated to
fund improvements to biodiversity and
sustainability at three Winkfield Parish Council sites (see
above).
2.2
To condition that appropriate planning
permissions are secured if/where required.
3
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION(S)
3.1
Developer contributions are collected
through S106 agreements to support “providing, expanding or
improving open space, and/or outdoor recreational facilities (which
may include the acquisition and/or improvement of land and/or
buildings and/or carrying out or assisting in the carrying out of
nature/landscaping conservation projects) within 3 kilometres of
the Site.”
3.2
The justification for requiring developers to supporting the
improvement of open space and outdoor recreational facilities is
given in
The
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF):
‘8. Promoting
healthy and safe communities
98. Access to a network
of high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and
physical activity is important for the health and well-being of
communities, and can deliver wider benefits for nature and support
efforts to address climate change…’
·
continue to provide
easy access to the natural environment
·
protect our highly
valued green spaces and strategic green gaps
·
address the impact of
man-made climate change on our local communities by putting in
place actions that work towards meeting the government target of
eradication its net contribution to climate change by
2050
3.4
The
borough council has adopted a
Parks and
Open Spaces Strategy (2012) and the improvements
to biodiversity are in accordance with delivering the following
three priorities:
‘6. Enhance the natural
qualities of parks and open spaces. Protect and enhance
biodiversity.
Positively manage trees and
woodlands, to include new planting to provide for future
generations.’
‘7. Identify opportunities to
increase the positive role that parks and open spaces can
contribute to climate change mitigation (e.g. tree planting as part
of carbon sequestration). Implement appropriate measures in support
of climate change adaption (e.g. ponds and
scrapes).’
‘11. Encourage greater
community involvement and additional partnership working between
agencies, groups and organisations.’
- Wetland Habitat - E i) Restore 5
ponds
- Urban Habitat Ai) Plant or replace
at least 50 large native urban trees
3.6
This Council strongly believes in the need
to continue its work to address the impact of man-made Climate
Change on our local communities. The improvements to biodiversity
and sustainability are in line with one of the four principles in
the
Bracknell
Forest Climate Change Strategy, which
is:
‘Preserving the
natural environment sustainably in line with the Bracknell Forest
plans.’
4
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
CONSIDERED
4.1
Not delivering these improvements in
Winkfield could lead to a failure to meet the objectives in The
Council Plan, Climate Change Strategy, Parks and Open Spaces
Strategy and the Biodiversity Action Plan.
4.2
Not using the s106 development monies
could result in a failure to mitigate the impact of development and
a missed opportunity for ‘providing, expanding or
improving open space, and/or outdoor recreational
facilities.’
4.3
It could lead to funds being returned to
the developers if no other qualifying scheme was located through
which to deliver enhancements in the time available.
4.4
The wide range of S106 open space and
recreation contributions available in the borough have been
assessed to eliminate those lying outside the distance constraints
of the developments as set out in the respective s106
agreements.
5
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
5.1
Site description
Three sites are proposed
for this project:
·
Asher Recreation Ground
– located on Lovel Road, Winkfield. This site is a large
grass field with play area at one end. The Cranbourne allotments
are located adjacent to the south.
·
Locks Ride –
located on Forest Road, Bracknell. This site has a pavilion, play
area, cricket pitch, car park and pond.
·
Cranbourne Allotments
– located on Hatchet Lane, Cranbourne, SL4 2EE.
5.2
Project description.
Examples of proposed
enhancements:
·
Pond restoration - by
pollarding willow trees around the pond at Lock’s Ride. This
will increase light and encourage a wider range of aquatic plants
to grow which will increase the biodiversity value of the pond. In
addition, a hibernaculum will be created from arisings.
·
Tree Planting –
planting native trees at Asher Recreation Ground to provide large
long term trees to support the forested character of the
borough.
·
Small community orchard
– planting a mixture of fruit trees at Asher Recreation
Ground to create a new orchard for residents and wildlife. This
will be underplanted with bulbs to provide early season pollen and
nectar for pollinators.
·
New composting area at
the allotment – this new feature will take waste vegetation
from managing sites and produce organic compost. It will remove the
need to transport waste and import compost and mulch contributing
to the reduction in carbon emissions and use of peat.
·
Other improvements are
also being explored that will aid public access and enjoyment at
these sites, allowing residents to get closer to nature.
5.3
S106
funding is secured in accordance with adopted planning policy. Of
significance is Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning
Document (SPD) (2015) (ref. section 5.11 Open Space of Public Value
and the ‘Plus One’ Principle whereby works are
prioritised towards improving quality of existing open spaces over
time.
5.4
In
addition to being secured to fund quality improvements, there is a
requirement that developer contributions are allocated to open
spaces capable of serving the development from which the
contribution was paid. This means that available funding
needs to be allocated to a site within close proximity of the
contributing development. The contributions to be allocated are set
out in Annex 1.
6
ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1
The allocation of funding proposed in this report complies with the
requirements of the s106 agreements.
The approval of the recommendation
in the report falls within the decision making remit of officers in
consultation with the Executive member pursuant to the Bracknell
Forest Council Constitution March 2021 Part 2, section 6 paragraph
6.2 (a)( vi).
Director: Resources
6.2
The financial implications are set out in the report.
Equalities Impact
Assessment
6.3
An EIA scoping assessment has been carried out for this project and
included in ANNEX 3. There are no negative
impacts resulting from the proposed project. The improvements are
anticipated to aid people’s mental wellbeing, by being able
to get closer to nature.
Strategic Risk
Management Issues
6.4
S106 contributions will need to be refunded should they not be
allocated in accordance with the respective legal agreement. Future
maintenance costs associated with this project will be met by
Winkfield Parish Council.
Infrastructure and Implementation
Team Manager
6.5
The proposed use of the identified S106 contributions to fund the
proposed enhancements is considered appropriate. The proposed works
will help offset the impact of the new housing permitted by the
applications to which the specified S106s are related on local open
space/recreational facilities.
7
CONSULTATION
Principal Groups Consulted
7.1
Bracknell Forest residents
Winkfield Parish Council
Representations
Received
7.2
Winkfield Parish Council
The plans were well received at the Winkfield Parish Council
meeting (meeting
agenda), subject to some
changes being made to the project plan, which have been made
accordingly.
Residents provided
views about accessing healthcare and the support they need to
recover from the experience of the pandemic: Around six-in-ten
residents spent more time in nature, visiting open spaces since
lockdown began on 23 March 2020 and about half of residents
tried a new form of exercise or exercised more, while smoking and
drinking levels remained about the same.
The views of residents
about travel and the environment in the future, due to Covid-19 are
as follows:
75% of residents said
they agree that Covid-19 is a chance for people to be more
environmentally friendly and 73% agreed that this is an opportunity
for Bracknell Forest to accelerate its plans to become Carbon
Neutral by 2050.
See Annex
5 for
further results from the public consultation.
Background
Papers:
ANNEX 1: S106 Allocation details and site
map
ANNEX 2: Application form
ANNEX 3: Equalities scoping
assessment for project
ANNEX 4: Site Plans
ANNEX 5: Public
consultation
Contact for further
information
Paul Craven, Head of
Grounds Maintenance and Facilities at Winkfield Parish
Council
Email: p.craven@winkfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01344
885110
Revision V2
22.09.2021
ANNEX
2: Parks and Countryside Service Application Form
|
Section
|
Criteria
|
Project 7
|
|
1: Contact Details
|
Name
|
Paul Craven
|
|
|
Contact
|
p.craven@winkfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk
|
|
2: Organisation
Information
|
Name of organisation
|
Winkfield Parish Council
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
Department/service
area/section
|
Parks and Countryside
Service
|
|
|
Lead officer
|
Stephen Chown
|
|
|
Lead member
|
Cllr John Harrison
|
|
|
Lead director
|
Andrew Hunter
|
|
|
Decision maker
|
Cllr John Harrison
|
|
|
Date of decision
|
11 October
|
|
|
Reason Key
|
|
|
|
Making representations
|
|
|
|
Financial impact
|
N/A
|
|
|
Consultation carried out?
|
Yes
|
|
|
Consultation details
|
Wider consultation of residents via
the
Covid-19 Residents'
Survey 2020.
|
|
|
Equalities scoping report completed
and provided with the application?
|
Yes – see Annex
3
|
|
|
Document(s) to be
considered
|
|
|
|
Background papers
|
|
|
|
Open/exempt?
|
|
|
|
Explanation for exemption
|
|
|
|
Key decision
|
|
|
|
Exempt report
|
|
|
2: Project Description
|
Type of project
|
Blue and Green Infrastructure -
Active Open Space of Public Value (Active OSPV)
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
Project Address
|
Asher Recreation
Ground, Lovel Road,
Winkfield, SL4
2ES
Locks Ride Recreation Ground, Forest
Road, Bracknell RG42 7NN
Cranbourne Allotments –
located on Hatchet Lane, Cranbourne, SL4 2EE.
|
|
|
Accompanying map
|
Yes
– see Annex 1 and Annex
4
|
|
|
Parish
|
Winkfield
|
|
|
Ward
|
Winkfield and Cranbourne
|
|
|
POSS reference number
|
11
– Asher Recreation Ground
85
– Lock’s Ride Recreation Ground
240
– Cranbourne Allotment
|
|
|
Brief description of
scheme
|
Biodiversity and sustainability
enhancements at Winkfield Parish Council sites.
|
|
|
Policy / Strategy Objectives Being
Delivered
|
·
Biodiversity Action Plan
(BAP)
·
The Parks and Open
Spaces Strategy
·
The POSS
Study
·
Council Plan –
protecting and enhancing our environment
·
Climate Change
Strategy
|
|
|
Total estimated cost of
scheme
|
£16,245.90
|
|
|
Estimated amount of s106 funding
required
|
£16,245.90
|
|
|
Existing funding
|
Yes
|
|
|
Timeline
|
October 2021 to March
2022
|
|
|
Details of previous improvement
projects
|
|
|
|
Additional information
|
|
|
|
Project finished?
|
|
Lead Contact:
Paul
Craven
Position (Officer /
Member): Head of Grounds
Maintenance and Facilities at Winkfield Parish Council
Date: 1 August 2021
ANNEX 3: Equality
Impact Assessment Scoping
Initial Equalities
Screening Record Form
|
Date of
Screening: 17.09.2021
|
Directorate:
Place, Planning and
Regeneration
|
Section:
Bracknell Forest
Council Parks and Countryside Service
|
|
1. Activity
to be assessed
|
Biodiversity
enhancements in Winkfield
|
|
2. What is
the activity?
|
Policy/strategy
Function/procedure
Project
Review
Service
Organisational
change
|
|
3. Is it a
new or existing activity?
|
New
Existing
|
|
4. Officer
responsible for the screening
|
Rose
Wicks
|
|
5. Who are
the members of the screening team?
|
Rose Wicks, Marlies
Boydell and Paul Craven
|
|
6. What is
the purpose of the activity?
|
The aim is to
enhance biodiversity, sustainability and public access to nature at
Winkfield parish Council sites using s106 developer contributions,
in accordance with Planning Obligations SPD (section 5.11) and the
BFC Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2012.
|
|
7. Who is the
activity designed to benefit/target?
|
The improvements will benefit
biodiversity, those who
access the sites to enjoy nature, and there will be wider benefits
in terms of climate change mitigation.
|
|
Protected
Characteristics
|
Please
tick
yes or
no
ü
|
Is there an
impact?
What kind of
equality impact may there be? Is the impact positive or adverse or
is there a potential for both?
If the impact is
neutral, please give a reason.
|
What evidence do
you have to support this?
E.g. equality
monitoring data, consultation results, customer satisfaction
information etc
Please add a
narrative to justify your claims around impacts and describe the
analysis and interpretation of evidence to support your conclusion
as this will inform members decision making, include consultation
results/satisfaction information/equality monitoring
data
|
|
8. Disability Equality – this can include
physical, mental health, learning or sensory disabilities including
conditions such as dementia.
|
Y
ü
|
N
|
There’s strong evidence to suggest that having
good access to nature aids good mental health and
wellbeing.
|
Bracknell Forest
Council:
Covid-19 Residents’
Survey
Report: August
2020
Natural
England Access to Evidence - Health and the natural
environment
|
|
9. Racial equality
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
|
10. Gender equality
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
|
11. Sexual orientation equality
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
|
12. Gender re-assignment
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
|
13. Age equality
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
|
14. Religion and belief equality
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
|
15. Pregnancy and
maternity equality
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
|
16. Marriage and
civil partnership equality
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
|
17.
Please give details of any other
potential impacts on any other group (e.g. those on lower
incomes/carers/ex-offenders, armed forces communities) and on
promoting good community relations.
|
N/A
|
|
18. If
an adverse/negative impact has been identified can it be justified
on grounds of promoting equality of opportunity for one group or
for any other reason?
|
N/A
|
|
19. If there is any difference in the impact of the
activity when considered for each of the equality groups listed in
8 – 14 above; how significant is the difference in terms of
its nature and the number of people likely to be
affected?
|
N/A
|
|
20. Could the impact constitute unlawful
discrimination in relation to any of the Equality
Duties?
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
21. What further information or data is
required to better understand the impact? Where and how can that
information be obtained?
|
N/A
|
|
22. On the basis of sections 7 – 17 above
is a full impact assessment required?
|
Y
|
N
ü
|
|
|
23. If a full
impact assessment is not required; what actions will you take to
reduce or remove any potential differential/adverse impact, to
further promote equality of opportunity through this activity or to
obtain further information or data? Please complete the action
plan in full, adding more rows as needed.
|
|
Action
|
Timescale
|
Person
Responsible
|
Milestone/Success
Criteria
|
|
Any interpretation
about the site works, or improvements delivered will be designed in
such a way that they are easy to access e.g., large enough font, in
plain English etc.
|
October 2021 to March
2022
|
Winkfield Parish
Council
|
Everyone can access
the information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24. Which
service, business or work plan will these actions be included
in?
|
Parks and Open Spaces Strategy - S106
quality improvement programme, based on the Plus 1
Principle.
|
|
25. Please list the
current actions undertaken to advance equality or examples of good
practice identified as part of the screening?
|
When carrying out
site quality improvements, the following actions are undertaken to
ensure that any new / improved site features are made accessible to
all park users:
Follow guidance from
the Sensory Trust:
·
Advice and guidance – Sensory Trust
Guides
·
Developing inclusive communication -
Sensory Trust
Provide appropriate
specifications to contractors, which include the need to adhere to
equalities best practice guidelines.
|
|
26.
Director’s signature.
|
Signature:
Date:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When
complete please send to abby.thomas@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
for publication on the
Council’s website.
ANNEX
4 – site plans
ANNEX
5: Public
consultation
Coronavirus phone survey
- July 2020
In
July 2020 we asked 1,800 residents about their experiences during
the coronavirus pandemic through a phone survey.
All
responses were confidential, and the results are now being used to
help us plan for the borough's recovery from coronavirus over the
next 3 years.
The
survey was carried out by independent company Public Perspectives.
It included a range of questions on the impact of the coronavirus
pandemic on residents, their family and the local community.
Residents were asked to list their favourite 3 things about living
in the borough. The main things residents enjoy are:
·
the borough’s
parks and countryside
·
council run sports and
leisure facilities
·
highways
As
part of this survey, residents provided
views about accessing healthcare and the support they need to
recover from the experience of the pandemic. Around six-in-ten
residents spent more time in nature, visiting open spaces since
lockdown began on 23 March and about half of residents tried a
new form of exercise or exercised more, while smoking and drinking
levels remained about the same.
