3.4 Policy DM5 – Open Space and Views of the Development Management Plan sets out the policies for the management of open spaces. The current Strategic Open Urban Land designation in the Replacement Elmbridge Borough Local Plan 2000 is not considered to be required any longer given the high level of protection given to open space in the Government’s planning framework[1] The Council has identified the following options for the designation of open space and selected a Preferred Option.

3.5 The Council welcomes comments on the options and Preferred Option proposed which has been used in identifying the following open space designations:

Open space in the urban area

3.6 All open spaces identified on the map in Esher - Appendix 1 and noted below, will be considered as open space and the criteria in Policy DM5 of the Development Management Plan will apply.  This policy provides a higher level of protection than the existing Strategic Open Urban Land designation and will apply to all those open spaces within the urban area shown below.  It outlines that all existing open space should not be built on unless it can be shown that it is surplus to requirements; the loss would be replaced by open space of equivalent quality and quantity; or the development is for an alternative sports and recreation use, the need for which clearly outweighs the loss[2]

Local Green Space

3.7 There is the opportunity for some sites to be designated as Local Green Space.  These sites must be of significant local importance and meet the criteria set out in the Government’s planning framework[3] .

3.8 It clearly states that a Local Green Space designation will not be appropriate for most green areas and this will be an important consideration in the designation of such sites.  No sites were put forward at the community workshop.  Should you wish to suggest a site for designation as a Local Green Space it is important that you consider the criteria mentioned above and include reasons as to why it is important to the local community.  Once designated these sites will have a level of protection equivalent to the Green Belt as set out in Policy DM5 – Open Space and Views of the Development Management Plan.