GI2 Clause 1

My clients object to the entirety of their lands off Northampton Road being identified in the Local Plan as "open space, sport and recreational facilities"
The land as shown on the attached plan extends to 1.8ha however only approximately 1ha has been cultivated and used as allotments in the recent past. For the last 30+ years the vast majority of the area to the north of the access track has remained uncultivated whilst my clients pursued alternative use planning designations.

Local village Greens and open spaces are not shown on the proposals map and presumably are not covered by this protection - we believe it is important that these are included here, or clarification made of how local village greens and volunteer riun play areas are supported and protected.

This an opportunity to improve sports and recreation facilities in the broader HDC District, at the moment there is a great inequity, Lutterworth Broughton Astley are very poorly served..... TIME FOR A CHANGE IN HDC ATTITUDE TO TAX PAYERS ON THE FRINGES OF THE DISTRICT.

The provision of an appropriate quantum and type of open space in association with development is fully supported by Bloor Homes.
The policy should, however, incorporate sufficient flexibility in its requirements to maximise the opportunity for on-site provision to reflect the site specific circumstances and context. It is not, therefore, necessarily helpful to seek to apply blanket requirements for a variety of very specific types of open space that have particular location and design requirements to each and every site. Instead guidance is required that encourages proposals to respond to both the strategic context and existing (or proposed) provision, and the specific nature of the site. The provision of multi-functional spaces that respond to a variety of needs should also be encouraged to maximise the benefits of open space provision in association with development.
The specific requirements set out in Table B.30 also require further clarification. In particular, it is unclear how rural and urban areas are defined in respect of determining the quantum of natural and semi-natural green spaces.

Soundness:
Bloor Homes object to Policy GI2, which is considered unsound on the basis that it:
- is not justified in that it is not the most appropriate strategy and has not properly considered reasonable alternative strategies; and
- is inconsistent with national policy in that it does not fully reflect the Government's priorities and policies in terms of the provision of public open space and facilitating the delivery of sustainable development.

Proposed Changes:
To remedy the flaws in the soundness of the plan the policy should be reworded to provide additional flexibility in the provision of public open spaces on development sites that reflect the required standards taking account of the existing (or proposed) provision in the area and the specific characteristics of the development site and encourage the delivery of multi-functional public open space in the context of the aspirations of Policy GI1 in relation to Green Infrastructure.

Thurnby and Bushby Parish Council supports as sound. The Parish Council responded to the Green Spaces Review in 2016, recommending a number of sites be designated as OSSRs. Four of these have been omitted from the Inset Map 63 (Scraptoft, Thurnby and Bushby) and need to be included - the areas are the greens on Telford Way; between Forest and Anthony Drive; Bradgate Close; and, Hollies Way.