Agenda item

Report of the Director of Open Spaces (copy attached).       

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces that had been considered previously by the Open Spaces, City Gardens & West Ham Park Committee. The report considered the implications of recent amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for the City’s Open Spaces.

The Superintendent advised that the City did not have the resources to send representatives to sit on Neighbourhood Forums, several of which were currently in the process of being established for neighbourhoods in the Heath vicinity. In response to a query from Richard Sumray, the Superintendent undertook to investigate the possibility of circulating regular update reports to the relevant forums. Ian Harrison advised that it was important for the City to create links with the forums soon after they were established.

The Superintendent advised that it might be helpful to revisit the work undertaken by Urban Initiatives in helping new Forums to shape plans for protection of the immediate environs of the Heath, recognising that the Heath did have statutory protection.

The Superintendent advised that there were many uncertain factors as to how the implementation of the Localism Act would affect local government and it was currently unclear how matters such as “neighbourhood orders” could affect planning policies.

Richard Sumray advised that the City should consider inviting representatives from the local neighbourhood forums to sit on the Committee.

Ian Harrison advised that there were approximately twelve areas of Metropolitan Open Land surrounding the Heath, two of which were currently under threat from development. He believed the approach adopted by the City would help protect the Heath.

RECEIVED