10.0.1 Enfield's Green Infrastructure is made up of a network of multifunctional open spaces which provide social, economic, and environmental benefits. Open spaces include: green spaces such as parks, allotments, commons, recreation grounds and playing fields; children’s play areas; woodlands and natural habitats; and non-green open spaces such as civic/market squares and other hard surfaced areas, including other areas designated for pedestrians.
DMD 71 Protection and Enhancement of Open Space Inappropriate development on land designated as Metropolitan Open Land will be refused except in very special circumstances. Development involving the loss of other open space will be resisted unless:
Essential structures and facilities that would support the enjoyment of, and maintain the openness of the open space will be acceptable provided that the size, siting, location, design and materials would be sympathetic and proportionate to the operational requirements of the open space that it supports. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 34. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.1.1 This policy provides protection to open space to prevent negative impacts associated with the loss of open space in accordance with the NPPF, London Plan and Core Strategy. The loss of open space could lead to reduced opportunities for: sports and recreation; ecological connectivity; social cohesion; habitat and ecological networks and adapting to climate change. The loss of open space could also have potentially negative impacts for surface water management, flood alleviation and water quality.
10.1.2 Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) is strategically important open space as prescribed by the London Plan. MOL is given the same protection and status as the Green Belt designation. Applications should refer to the NPPF for appropriate development in MOL.
DMD 72 Open Space Provision All new major residential development must be accompanied by proposals to improve open space provision. The nature of such improvements should reflect the additional open space needs generated as a result of the proposed development. If the proposed development is located within an identified area of deficiency for public park provision it will be necessary for additional land to be brought into public park use. Provision should be provided on-site where possible. In exceptional circumstances, a contribution towards off-site provision or improvement to access to open space may be acceptable. New developments will be expected to incorporate open space that is capable of reaching at least ‘Good to Very Good’ quality in line with the Green Flag Award standards. If the proposed development is not located within an area which is deficient in either quantity or access to public park provision then consideration will be given to deficiency in any other type of open space provision. The applicant will be required to make a contribution towards the enhancement of open space or associated facilities. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 34. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.1.3 As all major residential development places additional pressure on existing public open space and recreational facilities it is reasonable that these developments contribute to improvements to open space.
10.1.4 Enfield has a borough-wide standard of 2.37 hectares per 1,000 population of public park provision. Areas with provision below this standard are defined as areas of deficiency. Within areas of deficiency all available opportunities should be taken to make new public park provision. Deficiency areas are identified in the Council's Open Space and Sports Assessment Update (2011). In circumstances where on-site provision is not possible contributions will be sought to improve access to or improve the quality of existing open spaces. This could include contributions towards strengthening Enfield's Green Grid (see Green Infrastructure and Open Environments: The All London Green Grid SPG (March 2012)) and Green Chains (see DMD 77 'Green Chains').
DMD 73 Children’s Play Space 1. Within areas deficient in children's play space, developments with an estimated child occupancy of ten children or more will be required to incorporate on-site play provision to meet the needs arising from the development 1. Where it is demonstrated to the Council’s satisfaction that children’s play space cannot be provided on-site, the applicant will be required to make a financial contribution towards ongoing off-site provision. Contributions may also be required for ongoing maintenance of facilities. 2. New formal play spaces must:
This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 34. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.2.1 This policy seeks to ensure that adequate provision of children's play is provided to meet the needs for development. It is widely acknowledged that the importance of children’s play extends far beyond the activity itself but contributes towards child development through the development of a wide range of physical, social and emotional skills and abilities.
10.2.2 In areas that are deficient in children's play provision (Wards that would have less than 10 square metres of provision per child following the implementation of the proposed development), or locations where the nearest provision is more than 100m away, on-site children's play facilities must be provided. Further information about areas of deficiency is set out in the Council's Open Space and Sports Assessment Update (2011).
10.2.3 Information on how to calculate the child occupancy of a proposed development is set out in the Section 106 Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (2011) in the methodology for calculating education contributions.
10.2.4 Part 2 of this policy addresses key issues relating to the nature and location of play. The use of low value materials can help ensure play areas are not vulnerable to theft. Applicants should also comply with the Mayor's SPG on Children and Young People's Play and Informal Recreation (2012).
DMD 74 Playing Pitches 1. Development involving the loss of playing field land and sports pitches will not be permitted. 2. The preference for new playing field land and sports pitches is natural grass pitches. The Council will only permit artificial grass pitches if all of the following criteria are met:
3. Applications for new artificial pitches must provide details of proposed landscaping, enclosure and lighting. Applicants must demonstrate how lighting has been designed to prevent loss of amenity to local residents or harm to biodiversity. 4. Applications for artificial pitches that incorporate flood lighting on Metropolitan Open Land and in the Green Belt will be refused unless justified through very special circumstances. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 34. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.3.1 Providing formal and informal space for outdoor sports is of growing importance to support needs for established and emerging team sports. The Council will continue to protect sports pitches across the borough to facilitate health, wellbeing and social cohesion.
10.3.2 Artificial grass pitches offer smaller playing areas with artificially laid turf and floodlighting. Regular use results in minimal degradation to the artificial pitch and unlike natural pitches numerous games can be played well into the evening. Developments of this nature can have a negative impact on residential amenity, through light and noise pollution, and harm biodiversity and the character of a local area. However, in the right location artificial grass pitches can play a positive role in supporting health and wellbeing.
DMD 75 Waterways Waterfront Character and Access to Waterways All development proposed on or close to the riverside must protect and enhance the waterfront character. Developments should maximise opportunities to provide publicly accessible riverside greenways or shared routes. Industrial/ commercial development which is exposed to a waterway should address the waterway and create pleasant and interesting views from that waterway. The buildings should take architectural cues from existing heritage features and should provide an attractive, and where possible, active façade to encourage passive surveillance. Public access to the waterfront should be retained or introduced. Access for staff must be maintained as a minimum. Moorings Permanent residential or commercial moorings on the River Lee Navigation will be supported provided they meet all of the following criteria:
Freight Development which maximises transportation of freight by water will be supported. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy policies 34 and 35. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.4.1 Waterways, otherwise known as Blue Corridors, are comprised of rivers, streams, brooks and canals. The River Lee and Lee Navigation are of regional importance as they cross several local authority boundaries.
10.4.2 The Mayor of London’s Blue Ribbon network supports London’s rivers for a diverse range of uses and needs. The Council supports the Mayor’s policy on the Blue Ribbon Network and will apply proposals in line with London Plan.
10.4.3 This policy seeks to maximise the opportunities waterways have to contribute towards the quality of the environment, provide recreational and residential use, and maximise use for transport.
10.4.4 Historically, industrial areas have been located in close proximity to waterways in order to facilitate the transport of goods to and from the facility. This has led to a rich industrial heritage along Enfield's waterways. Many of the original buildings and features have been lost to make way for more efficient, yet architecturally poor, alternatives, and industrial areas have often turned their backs on the waterways. New developments should help to rediscover elements of this rich heritage and recognise its role in enhancing Enfield's waterways, which now predominantly act as a source of recreation for surrounding communities and those from further afield. Further information about the character of Enfield's waterways is set out in the Enfield Characterisation Study (2011).
10.4.5 The Council recognises that water freight is a realistic and sustainable alternative to the movement of freight by road, as supported by London Plan policies on increasing the use of Blue Ribbon Network as a transport corridor. The Council is supportive of maximising the transportation of freight by utilising Enfield's connection to the Lee Navigation, where the Edmonton Eco-park and other industry are located.
DMD 76 Wildlife Corridors Development on sites that include or abut a wildlife corridor will only be permitted if the proposal protects and enhances the corridor. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 36. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.5.1 Wildlife corridors are continuous strips of wildlife habitat, connecting larger areas of habitat and allowing wildlife to move through an area otherwise impermeable to wildlife, such as the built environment. The corridors may be linked and provide an extension to the habitats of the sites which they join, but they are not always publicly accessible. Wildlife Corridors can include railway sidings and watercourses.
DMD 77 Green Chains Development within a 5 minute walk or 400 metre radius from a Green Chain must integrate with the network and development will only be permitted if:
This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Policy 34. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.5.2 This policy seeks to protect and improve the role of Green Chains in facilitating access to open space and nature. Green Chains are areas of linked open spaces accessible to the public which provide way-marked paths and other pedestrian and cycle routes. They also enable flora and fauna to migrate around the borough and beyond. Some Green Chains are designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). The definition covers anything from open spaces, footpaths, river corridors, canals/ towpaths, bridleways, disused railways and railway sidings and can predominantly be found in or adjacent to the New River, Turkey Brook, Salmons Brook and Pymmes Brook and in the vicinity of Boxers Lake.
DMD 78 Nature Conservation Development that has a direct or indirect negative impact upon important ecological assets will only be permitted where the harm cannot reasonably be avoided and it has been demonstrated that appropriate mitigation can address the harm caused. Mitigation will be secured through planning obligations or planning conditions. Major development on sites located within areas of deficiency must maximise opportunities to improve access to nature. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 36. |
10.6.1 The Council considers the following to be important ecological assets:
The Chingford Reservoirs Site of Special Scientific Interest
10.6.2 The Chingford Reservoirs, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of their importance for wintering wildfowl and wetland birds, are of national importance for conservation. They are of the highest priority for protection and development that would have an adverse impact on the reservoirs will not be permitted unless the needs for the development substantially outweigh the adverse impact on the site and the SSSI network as a whole.
Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
10.6.3 SINCs (Sites of importance for Nature Conservation) are non-statutory sites designated at a local or regional level for their importance for conservation. Enfield has three tiers of sites:
Species and Habitats
10.6.4 All local authorities have a duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 to have due regard to the conservation of biodiversity in exercising all their functions. The duty aims to make biodiversity conservation an integral part of policy and decision making.
10.6.5 Clear aims for the maintenance, connection and extension of key habitats and species have been established through the London Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), UK BAP and Enfield BAP.
10.6.6 Proposed developments will need to demonstrate how the design of the scheme has regard to the need to preserve and enhance the ecological asset. Plans submitted will need to show how habitats will be appropriately managed. Major developments in areas deficient in access to nature (as defined in the London Plan), will be expected to incorporate or contribute towards the provision of areas where people can access and enjoy nature.
DMD 79 Ecological Enhancements Developments resulting in the creation of 100m2 of floorspace or one net dwelling or more should provide on-site ecological enhancements having regard to feasibility and viability. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 36. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.6.7 An ecological enhancement is the modification of a site to provide habitat for plants and animals. Most developments are capable of providing ecological enhancements to improve the biodiversity offer on that site. Enhancements could range from anything such as bird boxes to wildlife friendly landscaping or green roofs. The Council will expect ecological enhancements to be incorporated into developments and to be in scale with the development proposed.
10.6.8 Applicants will need to demonstrate compliance with this policy as part of a Sustainable Design and Construction statement in accordance with DMD 49 'Sustainable Design and Construction Statements' and Appendix 3: 'Sustainable Design and Construction Statements'. The scale of enhancements required should reflect the size and scale of the proposed development.
DMD 80 Trees on Development Sites All development including: subsidiary or enabling works that involve the loss of or harm to trees covered by Tree Preservation Orders, or trees of significant amenity or biodiversity value, will be refused. Where there are exceptional circumstances to support the removal of such trees, adequate replacement must be provided. All development and demolition must comply with established good practice, guidelines and legislation for the retention and protection of trees. Proposals must:
Works to Protected Trees Works to trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order or trees situated within a Conservation Area must ensure the long term health of the tree, and retain and enhance amenity value to the locality. Works must comply with current arboricultural best practice, guidelines and legislation. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 34. |
DMD 81 Landscaping Proposed development must provide high quality landscaping that enhances the local environment. Landscaping should add to the local character, benefit biodiversity, help mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce water run-off. Priority should be given to planting large, shade-producing trees and indigenous species, or other species of high ecological value, where situations allow. This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 34. |
Justification and guidance on implementation
10.7.1 Trees enhance visual amenity, help to moderate climate, temperature, sunshine and wind conditions by providing shade and shelter. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, filter and reduce harmful airborne pollution, reduce noise pollution and reduce water run-off thereby reducing the effects of flooding. They provide habitats for a broad range of wildlife, mark the changing of the seasons, provide a sense of well-being and place, provide health benefits, reduce crime and increase property prices.
10.7.2 New construction and demolition commonly threatens the survival of trees. Protection of trees from such damage enables preservation of their amenity value and maintenance of the benefits they provide in the urban ecosystem.
10.7.3 In assessing planning applications the Council will place a high regard for the retention of all trees of amenity and environmental value, taking consideration of both their individual merit and their interaction as part of a group or broader landscape feature.
10.7.4 Where applicable, it will be appropriate for applicants to ensure that submitted documents on the measures to be taken during demolition and construction to safeguard any retained trees is in accordance with BS: 5837 (2012) 'Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction' and any subsequent revisions.
10.7.5 Applicants are advised to seek qualified expertise through an appropriate arboricultural practise prior to the initial design phase to ensure that any tree constraints that may inform the site design and layout are identified at an early stage.
10.7.6 Where appropriate, provision must be made to increase tree cover on a development site and new tree planting and landscape schemes are encouraged. The emphasis is to plant large, shade-producing trees, and native trees where situations allow, following the principle of ‘right place, right tree’ as set out in the London Plan (through the London Tree and Woodland Framework). In addition consideration must be taken into account for any future maintenance requirements of any trees planted and how the trees may impact on the development, users, residents and adjoining properties and vice versa.
10.7.7 The Enfield Characterisation Study (2011) identifies areas of the borough where attractive landscaping would improve the whole environment, including industrial areas and retail parks.
1 Source: Mayor of London's Supplementary Planning Guidance on Shaping Neighbourhoods: Play and Informal Recreation, 2012
< Previous | ^ Top | Next >