Gedling Borough Replacement Local Plan

7. RECREATION CHAPTER

R1	PROTECTION OF OPEN SPACE
R2	ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
R3	PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE WITH NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
R4	GOLF COURSES
R5	ALLOTMENTS
R6	INDOOR LEISURE FACILITIES
R7	SHERWOOD FOREST/ GREENWOOD COMMUNITY FOREST
R8	TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
R9	RECREATIONAL ROUTES
R10	EQUESTRIAN DEVELOPMENT
R11	KEEPING OF HORSES AND CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL STABLES
R12	RECREATIONAL VALUE OF WATER COURSES

INTRODUCTION

7.1

PPG17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (July, 2002), emphasises the importance that provision of open space, sport and recreation has on the quality of life for people and that effective policies for recreation are important in meeting wider Government objectives which include:- supporting an urban renaissance; supporting a rural renewal; promotion of social inclusion and community cohesion; health and well being and promoting more sustainable development. Recreation includes a diverse array of activities, such as organised sports requiring pitches or buildings, informal pastimes such as walking, cycling, horse riding and passive activities such as theatre visits. Open space including incidental areas such as verges, cemeteries, church yards are also important for their overall landscape, wildlife amenity and character value. In conjunction with the Leisure Strategy for the Borough, this chapter aims to provide a framework to ensure that a wide range of leisure opportunities are available to existing and future residents as well as visitors to the Borough. Sustainability is a key consideration when assessing all land uses and it should not be overlooked in terms of recreation, leisure and the potential for tourism land uses. The demands that recreation makes on land resources and the environment need to be carefully balanced against the associated benefits of economic activity and job opportunities. The Borough Council in consultation with the Environment Agency will need to be satisfied that the abstraction needs of recreational development with an irrigation requirement, including for example golf courses, can be met prior to planning permission being granted.

7.2

Policy 1/1 of the Nottinghamshire Structure Plan Review (NSPR), adopted in November 1996, allows for the protection and provision of adequate open space to meet existing and future recreational needs and improve the quality of the environment. It is identified that valuable amenity space should be protected from development. Adequate public open space needs to be provided to serve new residential development.

7.3

Policy 7/1 of the Adopted Structure Plan proposes that recreational development should be reasonably accessible by being close to population centres, i.e. within or on the fringe of built-up areas and within villages identified in local plans. Policy 7/2 aims to protect valuable public and private open space whose loss would significantly damage the quality of the environment or result in recreational needs not being met. Proposals for air, motorised and shooting sports are considered under policy 7/3 and it is stressed that land-based motorised sports and pursuits should have no material impact upon recreational routes for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. The need to maintain and improve the existing network of rights of way and other recreational routes is outlined in policy 7/4. Policies 7/5 and 7/6 provide a context for tourist-related proposals.

7.4

Policy 6/1 of the Replacement Joint Structure Plan (2003) relates to the Location of Recreation and Tourism facilities, Policy 6/2 refers to Open Spaces and Playing Fields and Policy 6/3 deals with Recreation Routes.

7.5

PPG17 (2002) states that it is no longer appropriate to rely on nationally derived standards of recreation provision and that an assessment of needs and opportunities should be undertaken at the district level in order to inform the Local Plan, effectively this is intended to lead to locally derived and responsive standards.

7.6

The Borough Council intends to carry out the following, in accordance with PPG17:-

Analysis of the differing and distinctive needs of the population for open space and built sports and recreational facilities;
Identification of existing and future needs of the community, visitors and those working in the Borough;
Audit of existing provision in terms of location and costs and opportunities for new facilities;
Quantitative and qualitative assessment of recreational provision in order to identify any surplus/deficit of provision and to establish if existing facilities need to be enhanced; and
An indication of the monitoring of recreational facilities that is to be carried out, once the full audit of provision has been carried out.

7.7

As such the Recreation Chapter is published, pending the results of the Assessment of Leisure and Community Facilities, which is being undertaken by Consultants on behalf of the Borough Council. If it is considered that further work needs to be carried out it is likely that this will take the form of a Local Development Documents in line with current legislation and will be subject to full public consultation at the relevant stages.

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POLICY R1 PROTECTION OF OPEN SPACE

Objectives
Recreation		1

Planning permission will not be granted for development on land that is used, or was last used, as open space. This will include:-

urban and country parks;
formal and informal recreation and play areas;
areas used for sport and sports pitches;
playing fields, including school playing fields;
incidental open spaces in urban areas and villages;
land identified as Protected Open Space on the Proposals Map;
Allotments.

Exceptions to this policy will be allowed where one of the following conditions are met:-

the land is in an area of surplus and can no longer contribute as an open space (in its present or an alternative open space use) to meeting a local or wider need;
the development would enhance or improve the recreational or sporting potential or quality of the site;
the facility is to be replaced at an alternative location in a way that is at least equivalent in terms of its size, usefulness, attractiveness and quality in a location that is at least as accessible to current and potential users;
the proposed development is ancillary to the use of the site as a playing field and would not adversely affect the quantity or quality of pitches or their use;
the land is part of a larger playing field area and is incapable of forming a playing pitch or part of one;
the proposed development is for an outdoor or indoor sports facility of sufficient benefit to the development of sport to outweigh the loss of the playing field.

Unless the site is surplus to requirements as open space, the proposed development shall:-

avoid the erosion of the recreational function and maintain or enhance the character of the open space;
protect or enhance those parts of the rights of way network that might benefit open space;
have regard to the impact on biodiversity and nature conservation.

7.8

The specific forms of protected open space are listed in Policy R1 and the main areas of Protected Open Space are shown on the Proposals Map. The importance of open space, sport and recreation is reflected in national guidance which states that such facilities underpin people's quality of life. Effectively this emphasises that well designed and implemented planning policies are fundamental to meeting the broader Government objectives as outlined in paragraph 7.1 of the Local Plan, particularly as they help to create clean and safe urban environments, perform vital nature conservation/biodiversity roles, help to improve people's sense of well being, provide a focal point for community activities, create social development of children and contribute to sustainable development, through creating accessible sports and recreational facilities.

7.9

Guidance contained in PPG17 states that existing open space, sport and recreational buildings should not be built on unless an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space or the buildings and land to be surplus to requirements. In appraising 'surplus to requirements' consideration must be given to all functions that the open space can perform, for example a surplus in a particular form of recreational provision may present an opportunity to remedy a deficit in another. National guidance also emphasises the importance of qualitative issues such as in considering facilities that are under-used, as this will not necessarily indicate an absence of need but that the quality of facilities may need to be improved.

7.10

Policy 32 of the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands (RSS8), March 2005, re-emphasises the importance of providing adequate sports and recreational facilities, based on local assessments of provision in line with PPG17.

7.11

Open space within the Borough encompasses a variety of different sites which are used in different ways by different people at different times. In response, over the last two years, the Gedling Borough Council Leisure Services department has reviewed its current status and launched several new Strategies setting out visions, objectives and targets for future service delivery.

The annex to the latest PPG17 outlines the typology to illustrate the broad range of open spaces that may be of public value which are as follows:-

(i)

parks and gardens;

(ii)

natural and semi-natural greenspaces;

(iii)

green corridors;

(iv)

outdoor sports facilities (whether public or privately owned);

(v)

amenity greenspace;

(vi)

provision for children and teenagers;

(vii)

allotments, community gardens and city (urban) farms;

(viii)

cemeteries and churchyards;

(ix)

accessible countryside in urban fringe areas; and

(x)

civic spaces.

7.12

Playing fields (including school playing fields) are classified as Protected Open Space and are subsequently protected under Policy R1 of the Local Plan. In accordance with current legislation the Borough Council will consult Sport England where proposals lead to the loss of playing fields or involve land that was used as playing fields in the last five years. If Sport England objects to a proposal involving the loss of playing fields the planning application will be referred to the Government Office for the East Midlands to establish if they wish to intervene. The land to which the obligation to consult Sport England includes land owned by a Local Authority (for example, parkland, open space used for informal recreation and land leased to sports clubs) and playing fields used by schools, colleges and other educational institutions.

7.13

To further illustrate the justification for policy R1 the area of land affected by the policy is approximately 595 Hectares. However a more detailed table is required in order to explain how this relates to the locally derived and responsive standards (paragraph 7.5).

Population

NPFA Requirement

Sport England pitch provision requirement

NPFA provision in Deposit Draft Local Plan

*Replacement Local Plan Provision

(based on mid 2000 estimate)

(2.43 Ha per 1000 population)

(2.43 Ha x 110.2 population)

(1.2 Ha per 1000 population).

(1.2 Ha x 110.2 population)

(total open space provision minus amenity areas under 0.4 Ha)

(excluding Country Parks, Newstead Abbey park and amenity areas under 0.4 Ha)

110,200

267.79 Ha

132.24 Ha

587.55 Ha

238.97 Ha

* This figure is the most relevant comparison with the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) requirement. The NPFA standard makes reference to informal open space within housing areas but this total excludes those areas below 0.4 hectares (ha). Currently no figures exist for the pitch provision in the Borough but the emerging draft Leisure and Community Facilities, Playing Pitch and Recreational Open Space strategies will provide more information on this issue. The difference between the 595 ha. in the text and the 587 ha. figure in the table is explained by the amenity areas under 0.4 ha., excluded from the latter figure.

7.14

The Leisure Facilities Strategy was presented to Cabinet on 22 April 2004 and deals with the provision, management and development of Gedling's leisure and community facilities. The following processes are being carried out as part of the strategy:-

Introducing the strategy in the context of sport and health;
Auditing leisure and community facilities to identify what facilities are available, their costs, usage and any other issues that need to be addressed;
Compare and contrast the level of existing provision with recognised national standards to identify any potential levels of under or over provision;
Identify what the Council currently spends on facility provision whilst comparing this with other districts in Nottinghamshire;
Identify the various issues, aspirations and needs arising from the consultations with the various stakeholders;
Establish the Strategy's vision, aims and objectives to help overcome and address the recognised issues and needs; and
Set out an implementation programme of actions to achieve the stated aims and objectives over the next three years.

The outcome of the Leisure Strategy will inform the Local Plan/ Local Development Framework if necessary.

7.15

The ultimate aim is for suitable provision to meet catchment needs (in accordance with Recreation objective 4 of the Replacement Strategy at the front of this document). It has been established using catchment information that the following areas have a lack of useable public open space within a 5 minute walking distance (400 metres):-

Carlton.
Vicinity of Oakdale Road west
Cavendish Road / Park Avenue

Gedling.
Coronation Walk, Violet Road / Lavender Crescent / Marwood Road

Netherfield
Meadow Road, The Elms

Mapperley
Parts of the Porchester Gardens
Vicinity of Somersby Road

Woodthorpe
Around Breckhill Road and Wensley Road

Arnold
Coppice Road/ Middlebeck Drive
Orston Avenue / Eaton Avenue
Bagnall Avenue/ Cornwall Road
Cairngorm / Chiltern/
Sunninghill Rise

Redhill
Salcombe Drive

Burton Joyce
North- East and West

Lambley
East side

Woodborough
West side

Linby

Papplewick
Northern and Eastern parts

Ravenshead
Eastern and Western parts

The type of open space appropriate in these locations would be a small local park or public open space. It is recognised that the need to provide open space in the villages may not be as pressing as those areas identified within the urban area due to their proximity to the open countryside.

7.16

Throughout the Borough opportunities may arise to create additional areas of open space on Borough owned land. It is considered that the short-term efforts should be concentrated in areas of greater need as set out above. Future provision of open space in residential areas as covered under policy R3 needs to be carefully considered in terms of maintenance and problems of nuisance and security. Subject to the outcome of the Leisure Facilities Strategy any changes affecting the planning framework will be addressed in future Local Development Documents.

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POLICY R2 ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

Objectives
Recreation		2 and 4

Planning Permission will not be granted for development which would adversely affect access to protected open space.

7.17

Severance factors such as busy roads, too few crossing points, badly lit and designed entrances together with the location of privately owned land mean that the distances and routes people have to walk to a site are sometimes unsuitable and can severely restrict use of an amenity area. Successful parks are often local facilities which people use frequently, and visit on foot, are accessible to all ages and all walks of life. The Borough Council acknowledges these problems and will seek to maintain and enhance the accessibility of existing protected open space.

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POLICY R3 PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE WITH NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

Objectives
Recreation		2
Housing		6

Residential development on sites of 0.4 Ha and above should provide a minimum standard of 10% local open space to serve that development¹. The Borough Council will secure that provision through planning conditions or through the negotiation of a Section 106 agreement. A commuted sum for maintenance will be sought where open space is primarily for the benefit of the development itself and the developers wish the Borough Council to adopt that space. Provision will be made in one or more of the following ways:-

provision within the development;

a financial contribution to the Local Authority to provide facilities on or off site;

a financial contribution to the Local Authority to enhance facilities nearby;

subject to the approval of the Borough Council.

¹ Based on the gross area of the site

7.18

In accordance with the 1990 Local Plan policy R2, it is considered necessary to ensure a proper contribution is made to facilities with new developments either by new provision or in the form of commuted sums to be used to provide open space on or off the site. It is considered that a minimum standard of 10% open space provision will ensure new development is adequately provided for as well as helping maintain the overall NPFA standard. Normally the Borough Council will seek provision within the development itself, in order to ensure the provision of local facilities. In some circumstances it may be considered appropriate for the developer to provide an area of open space and a financial contribution to the Borough Council in order for them to provide facilities on site. However, where a new development is to be located in close proximity (within 400m) of existing public open space, it may be more appropriate for new/enhanced facilities to be provided for by means of financial contributions. Details of the financial contributions are contained in the interim planning guidance document, "New Housing Development - Supplementary Planning Guidance for Open Space Provision" (November 2001), copies are available from the Local Plans Section (address at the front of this Plan). The design and location of new open space must be considered in relation to the proposed and existing development. Its function and layout should be integrated with the rest of the development.

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POLICY R4 GOLF COURSES

Objectives
Recreation		1

Golf courses as defined on the Proposals Map will be protected from development unless equivalent alternative provision can be provided within the locality.

7.19

The latest guidance on golf course provision by Sport England recommends a requirement of one, 18-hole course (not including par 3 courses) per 26,000 population. Gedling Borough has a population of 111,300 (based on 1998 mid estimate) and therefore the Sport England standard would require four to five golf courses.

7.20

Although there is no currently agreed catchment area for Golf courses (as the distance people will travel depends on whether the course is 'pay & play', how difficult the course is, membership fees etc) it is important to acknowledge provision in adjoining areas.

7.21

The golf courses with the Gedling Borough, as defined on the proposals map, are protected by this policy. All courses, except Mapperley Golf Course, also lie within the Green Belt. In the light of the allocation of the Gedling Colliery site, Mapperley Golf Course will be surrounded by development and therefore no longer serves a Green Belt function. The site has therefore been removed from the Green Belt. Golf provision in and around the Borough is identified in the following table:

	Pay and Play	18 hole (par 3 not included)	Additional Par 3	Driving Range or Practice Area	Local Authority
Mapperley Golf course	*		X		Gedling
Ramsdale Park					Gedling
Springwater, Calverton	*		X		Gedling
Beeston Fields			X	X	Broxtowe
Bramcote Hills				X	Broxtowe
Chilwell Manor	*		X	X	Broxtowe
Edwalton Municipal		X (9 hole)	9 hole		Rushcliffe
Leen Valley			proposed		Ashfield
Norwood Park, Southwell (18 hole proposed)		X 9 hole			Newark & Sherwood
Oakmere Park, Oxton			9 hole		Newark & Sherwood
Rufford Park	*				Newark & Sherwood
Southwell Golf Club			X	X	Newark & Sherwood
Wollaton Park	*		X	X	Nottm City
Bulwell Forest	*		X	X	Nottm City
Nottingham City Golf Club	*		X	X	Nottm City
Woodthorpe Grange		X Pitch and Putt	X	X	Nottm City
Hollinwell	*		X		Ashfield
Coxmoor	*		X		Ashfield

* by arrangement

THE GREEN BELT

7.22

There is a general presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Essential facilities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation which are genuinely required for uses of land which preserve the openness of the Green Belt are however considered appropriate but must be treated sensitively in order to respect the character of the countryside. Other forms of development should only be approved in very special circumstances. Golf was the major outdoor sport growth area in the 1988-1990 period. The demand is now focused at the lower end of the market, particularly the provision of pay-and-play facilities and driving ranges. There have been a number of applications since 1993 and clearly the impact of golfing development in the form of buildings such as club houses is critical to many decisions in rural areas. Such buildings must be ancillary to the golf course. The use of farmland for grass track, hill climbs or scrambling is a long established form of outdoor recreation but such uses may have a considerable amenity effect over a wide area through noise. Even if there are no permanent features associated with such uses they may leave land scarred for a considerable time. Large numbers of spectators may be attracted to events possibly causing amenity or traffic problems in the locality. Such effects will need careful consideration.

7.23

Other forms of Leisure development such as paint ball and model aircraft flying may cause damage and/or disturbance to the countryside if sites are not carefully chosen or sensitively managed. English Nature have produced a guide in consultation with the European Paintball Sports Federation, which is intended to help paintball operators, and owners and managers of potential paintball sites, to choose and use sites in a way that avoids harm to wildlife.

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POLICY R5 ALLOTMENTS

Objectives
Recreation		1

Allotments, as shown on the Proposals Map, will be protected from development unless they are genuinely redundant or equivalent alternative facilities can be provided for the same catchment area.

7.24

Allotments have an important recreational hobby function, provide health benefits and make a valuable contribution to the overall green network of spaces. They are also a valuable wildlife resource. Allotments are also protected under Policy R1 and it is important to take account of both policies R1 and R5 when considering allotment sites.

Protected Allotments are located at:-

Arnold & Redhill
Gedling Grove
Howbeck Road
Killisick, Hawthorn Crescent
Leapool, Redhill
Rookery Gardens

Burton Joyce - Criftin Road/ Trent Lane

Calverton
Bonner Lane/ Paddock Close
Collyer Road

Carlton - Cavendish Road/ Huckerbys Field

Netherfield
Chandos Street
Stoke Lane

Newstead - Fraser Street

Woodborough - Foxwood Lane

7.25

A review of allotment provision was undertaken by Leisure Services in 1999 which identified the usage of allotments at that time and established that those allotments protected by the above policy were required, effectively used and managed. This ensures that the need for equivalent alternative allotment provision is justified. The emerging Allotment Strategy for Gedling 2004 - 2008 (September 2004) will review Gedling Borough Council's allotment service with the intention of providing a well-managed service offering high quality allotments throughout the Borough in the most cost effective manner over the next 5 years whilst also taking note of factors, which could impact on allotments beyond this time period.

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POLICY R6 INDOOR LEISURE FACILITIES

Objectives
Recreation		3

Where there is a need for a new indoor leisure facility its location and siting should satisfy a sequential search:-

first, sites in district and local centres;
then, sites on the edge of district and local centres;
and then, other urban sites well served by public transport.

7.26

It is acknowledged that new leisure schemes can bring real economic and social benefits to an area. There has been a recent national trend with the use of industrial buildings or sites on established industrial estates for indoor leisure uses. The Borough Council has granted permission in Arnold for the change of use of parts of industrial buildings to leisure uses. These were in accordance with the 1990 local plan policy R8 for new indoor leisure facilities.

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POLICY R7 SHERWOOD FOREST/ GREENWOOD COMMUNITY FOREST

Objectives
Recreation		1, 2, 4 and 5

Planning permission will be granted for leisure uses within the Sherwood Forest Plan area and the Greenwood Community Forest as shown on the Proposals Map provided that:-

on sites outside urban areas and villages proposals should accord with Green Belt Policy;

it does not cause traffic, or parking problems which would harm the character of the countryside;

it would not adversely affect the ecology or environment of sites of nature conservation value or archaeological or historic importance;

it preserves the best and most versatile agricultural land; and

access is available by a choice of means of transport.

7.27

There is a general presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Both the Sherwood Forest and Greenwood Community Forest are destinations for tourism and recreation. The Plan for Sherwood Forest published by the County Council in July 1988, which is an informal management plan, sets out policies and proposals for the area to conserve the natural environment and to encourage and accommodate tourism and leisure uses in appropriate locations. Within the Borough part of the Sherwood Plan area, the document proposes the following policies which are supported by the Borough Council:-

Z1.1 the provision of further small capacity car parks and picnic areas will be explored;
Z1.2 major leisure development will not normally be considered favourably; and
Z1.3 improvements and extensions to public routes for walking, cycling and horse riding will be investigated.

7.28

The Greenwood Community Forest (one of 12 Community Forests within England) will, over time, change the landscape of the county and create a range of additional recreational, leisure, wildlife and landscape opportunities. The Strategic Plan for Greenwood is a non-statutory document and was published in September 2000. It sets out how, in this area of Nottinghamshire, the national objectives of multi-purpose forestry will be incorporated to maximise all the potential benefits for the people living close to the Greenwood. Key features of the Greenwood include:-

increasing opportunities for access, sport and recreation and for artistic and cultural events and link to urban areas; and
importance of wooded greenways for walking, cycling or riding, which extend from urban areas into the countryside.

TOURIST FACILITIES AND ACCOMMODATION

7.29

There is a need to strike a balance between providing opportunities for expanding tourism, leisure and recreation within the Borough whilst protecting the natural and built environment and residential amenity from detrimental impact. This is in accordance with PPG 21, Tourism, paragraph 3.13. Policy 7/5 of the Structure Plan considers tourist attractions and services and provides a context for tourist related development. It should be noted that the government guidance stresses that tourism cannot be regarded as a single or distinct category. The Tourism Society defines it as "the temporary short term movement of people to destinations outside the places where they would normally live and work and the activities during their stay at these destinations." Tourist development should also be located where a range of travel modes, particularly public transport, is available.

7.30

PPS7 (August 2004) stresses that tourism and leisure activities are vital to many rural economies. As well as sustaining many rural businesses, these industries are a significant source of employment and help to support the prosperity of country towns and villages, and sustain historic country houses, local heritage and culture. These activities need to develop in a way which draws on the character of the countryside and do not destroy the very asset on which their popularity depends. Given that guiding principle, a wide variety of tourist developments, in terms of nature and scale, can be acceptable in the right location. The conflict between tourism promotion and green belt restraint is an important issue to be resolved in this local plan.

7.31

Within the Borough, the historic parks and gardens of Newstead Abbey, Papplewick and Bestwood pumping stations and Papplewick Hall may be considered as significant tourist attractions. However, the sensitivity of these areas cannot be ignored due to their heritage value. PPG 15 emphasises that harm to the setting of a historic park or garden may be reason to resist development. It is considered that there is scope for joint working between the City, Gedling and Ashfield in the promotion of Newstead Abbey as a tourist attraction and resource for local people without compromising its intrinsic character.

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POLICY R8 TOURIST ACCOMMODATION

Objectives
Employment		4
Recreation		2

Tourist related accommodation will be concentrated in built up areas and the larger villages. Outside these areas tourist accommodation will be allowed where:-

it involves the re-use and adaptation of an existing rural building;

it accords with Green Belt policy; and

it would not be seriously detrimental to residential amenity in nearby property.

7.32

Tourist accommodation is a very sensitive issue, especially outside the urban area by virtue of the existence of the Green Belt. A comprehensive list of tourist accommodation is available in a guide produced by the Leisure Services Department. New development will be directed to existing built up areas, the larger villages and then within the infill boundaries of Green Belt wash villages as set out in Policy ENV30.

7.33

Annex B of PPG 21 sets out guidance on caravan parks, which provide a significant proportion of all tourist accommodation. PPG 2 maintains the presumption against inappropriate development. Facilities for tourists were recognised by the 1990 local plan policy, R13, with policies R14 and R15 specifically relating to caravans. There have been problems with the 1990 local plan policy R15 which accepted the principle of providing sites for the storage of caravans in the Green Belt. Appeals for such development have been dismissed for clear Green Belt reasons. It is considered that such a facility should not be provided in the Green Belt and would be better located in the urban area or open countryside beyond the Green Belt. The storage of caravans should be considered solely under Green Belt policy.

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POLICY R9 RECREATIONAL ROUTES

Objectives
Recreation		4 and 5
Transport		3

The Borough Council will seek, as resources permit, to maintain and improve the existing public rights of way system primarily to increase access to the countryside and limit conflict between users and landowners.

7.34

The establishment of a network of open spaces linked ideally by footpaths, cycleways and bridleways and designed to ensure the protection of wildlife would provide the Borough with key recreational and wildlife opportunities. The priority is for routes linking urban areas to the countryside and the need for the availability of public rights of way accords with the strategic aim for 'greenways' leading out from the urban area into the countryside (Recreation objective 5). The 'Corridors to the Countryside Project' started in 1993 safeguards and creates new opportunities for people and wildlife in Nottingham's corridors. The long term plan is the creation of a continuous linear park alongside the River Leen, running from the open countryside to the Leen's confluence with the Trent. For Gedling Borough this could lead to links between Bestwood Lodge and Mill Lakes Country Parks with facilities such as Newstead Abbey and the new cycle track between Linby and Newstead village. Further routes along the Trent are also proposed and the reclamation of the lagoons at Stoke Bardolph will offer potential routes to enable a continuous path from the City Council boundary to Newark and Sherwood, alongside the Trent (see relevant section in the Transport Chapter). Where appropriate, the Borough Council will secure enhancements of the recreational route network through the use of planning obligations and conditions when granting planning permission.

7.35

The network of bridleways is an important recreational resource and any improvements would have regard to the growth in popularity of horse riding. Wherever possible, opportunities should be taken to create new strategic bridleways with the aim of linking existing bridleways or creating safe routes so that riders can avoid routes identified as being dangerous for non-motorised traffic. The Calverton mineral line offers the opportunity for a multiuse linear recreational route serving the needs of walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. Under policy T3, the Calverton Colliery rail line is being considered for possible reopening as part of the South Nottinghamshire Rail Network development. If a future feasibility study concludes that the passenger route is not viable the Policy R9 notation will remain in order to preserve the rail line for recreational purposes.

7.36

PPG 17, paragraph 32, considers that local authorities should seek opportunities to provide better facilities for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, for example by adding links to existing rights of way networks, including the reuse of disused railway tracks which have an important part to play in providing recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat in urban areas and the countryside. The transformation of the footpath adjacent to the railway line through Midland wood, Colwick, has provided an important recreation opportunity for walkers and cyclists. Whilst recreational routes seek to provide opportunities for walkers, cyclist and horse riders, care will be taken to ensure that in rural locations the design of routes does not become over engineered.

7.37

Approximately 15 kilometres of the National cycle network (being developed by Sustrans) has been constructed through Gedling Borough. This passes through Linby, Newstead Abbey Park and Ravenshead and utilises existing quiet highway routes and off-highway routes. Local routes that serve this national network will be promoted. In this way, existing and proposed cycle routes will provide important links between urban and rural areas.

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POLICY R10 EQUESTRIAN DEVELOPMENT

Objectives
Recreation		2

Planning Permission will be granted for development connected with equestrian activities provided:-

it is in accordance with Green Belt policy and would not conflict with the purpose of including the site within the Green Belt;

it is within an existing settlement or involve the re-use of existing buildings;

any new building in the countryside is small in scale and is an essential facility required in connection with outdoor sport or recreation;

it would not have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area;

it would not cause traffic problems;

it would not adversely affect any nearby residential premises; and

it would not adversely affect sites of nature conservation interest or Mature Landscape Areas.

7.38

Equestrian activities are increasingly popular in many parts of the countryside and must be carefully controlled if the character and appearance of the Green Belt is not to be adversely affected. By locating equestrian development such as riding schools and larger commercial uses relating to horses within existing settlements, or involving the re-use of existing buildings, the impact on the Green Belt will be minimised. The amenities of nearby residents should be protected and it should be ensured that adequate access and parking is provided due to the additional traffic that may be generated.

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POLICY R11 KEEPING OF HORSES AND CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL STABLES

Objectives
Recreation		2

Planning permission will be granted for the keeping of horses for recreational purposes and construction of associated small stables provided that:-

they are in accord with Green Belt policy and would not conflict with the purposes of including the site within the Green Belt;

any new building in the countryside is small in scale and is an essential facility required in connection with outdoor sport or recreation;

built development is sited and designed to minimalise its visual impact;

the proposal would not adversely affect any nearby residential properties; and

it would not cause traffic problems and

they would not adversely affect sites of nature conservation interest or Mature Landscape Areas.

7.39

The popularity of equestrian development is highlighted by the current pressure for small stables and associated structures. Planning permission is normally required for the keeping of horses for recreational purposes, together with the erection of associated buildings and structures. This form of development is primarily controlled by Green Belt policy, with the siting, design and grouping of structures restricted in order to preserve the openness of the Green Belt.

7.40

With the declining viability of farming, one consequence is that fields are sub-divided and sold off as paddocks. Intensive use can degrade the appearance of the landscape and openness of the countryside. The sub-division of large fields with the subsequent proliferation of stables and associated buildings will normally be resisted because of the adverse impact this has on the landscape.

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POLICY R12 RECREATIONAL VALUE OF WATERCOURSES

Objectives
Recreation		5

Planning permission will be granted for development which would enhance the recreational value of a watercourse or riverside unless it would lead to unacceptable disturbance of wildlife.

7.41

Watercourses are valuable recreational and wildlife assets. They can often provide opportunities linked to improvements to the footpath network and establishment of recreational cycle and horse riding routes. In the Green Belt only low key recreational uses of an informal nature which would not compromise Green Belt policy would be considered appropriate unless there are very special circumstances.

The River Trent

7.42

The Borough Council will undertake an assessment of tourism, recreational, amenity, wildlife and landscape potential of the River Trent, in conjunction with Severn Trent Water Limited who are fully supportive of increasing opportunities for both informal and organised recreation in the vicinity of the River Trent. The proposed establishment of a Colwick Trentside Initiative has been supported by the Council. The River Trent is one of the most important natural resources for leisure and recreation for the Nottingham conurbation. The Borough Council has had a long-standing commitment to supporting the securing of a right of way along the northern bank of the River Trent, as indicated in policy T11 in the Transport Chapter of this Replacement Plan.

The River Leen

7.43

As part of the Corridors to the Countryside project (which is supported by Gedling Borough Council) a strategy for the River Leen has been established. As part of this strategy, opportunities have been identified including increased public access and low key developments such as an interpretation centre, seating and wildlife initiatives.

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