Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021

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Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council

Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation
                    Assessment

                   January 2021
Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

Strategic Leisure Limited (SLL) is an independent, specialist sport, leisure and physical activity consultancy.
Established in 1988, SLL is one of the foremost leisure consultancies in the UK, undertaking regular work
with, and on behalf of, Sport England, local authorities, National Governing Bodies, leisure operators,
education, clubs and the wider third sector.

All work undertaken for Birchington Parish Council in this report has been fully researched and analysed by
SLL as an independent specialist based on the information available at the time of writing.
Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

Table of Contents
1.   Executive Summary                                                                            1
     Ensuring the quality of existing open space and green infrastructure.                        2

2.   Introduction                                                                                 4
     Demographics                                                                                 4
     Birchington Life Expectancy                                                                  5
     Birchington Childhood Obesity                                                                5
     Consultation – Open Space                                                                    5

3.   Strategic Context                                                                             7
     National Strategy and Policy                                                                  7
     National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF. 2019)                                               7
     Regional Strategy and Policy                                                                 12
     District Strategy and Policy                                                                 13
     Thanet District Council Open Space Strategy 2018                                             14
     Thanet District Council Playing Pitch Strategy 2017                                          14
     Thanet District Council Sports Strategy 2018 – 2031                                          14
     Active Thanet Strategic Framework 2018 – 2022                                                15
     Thanet District Council Local Football Facilities Plan (July 2020)                           15
     Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Assessment of Local Green Spaces Including Views and Vistas
     (2021).                                                                                      15
     Summary of National, Local and Regional Strategic Context                                    15

4.   Current and Future Provision                                                                17
     Current Provision                                                                           17
     Open Space and Green Infrastructure                                                         17
     Community gardens including allotments, orchards and wildflower meadows.                    20
     Trees and Hedgerows                                                                         23
     Play Areas                                                                                  23
     Quality of Open space and Green Infrastructure.                                             24
     Leisure and Recreation Assets                                                               25
     Sports Pitches                                                                              28
     Memorial Recreation Ground                                                                  28
     Memorial Recreation Ground Catchment Walk and Drive Times                                   29
     Future Provision and Housing Development                                                    30
     Local Plan Policy GI06 - Landscaping and Green Infrastructure                               31
     Local Plan Policy GI04 - Amenity Green Space and Equipped Play Areas                        31
     Local Plan Policy SP26 Landscape Character Areas                                            32
     Policy SP27 Green Infrastructure                                                            33
     SP30 Biodiversity and Geodiversity Assets:                                                  33
     Open Space, Sports Pitches and Indoor Community, Leisure and Recreation Quantity Requirements
     – New Housing Development                                                                   33

5.   Recommendations, Actions and Next Steps                                                      37
     Ensuring the quality of existing open space and green infrastructure.                        37

Appendix 1:     Birchington Life Expectancy                                                       40

Appendix 2:     Birchington Childhood Obesity                                                     41

Appendix 3:     National Strategic Context                                                        42
Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

Appendix 4:    Football Association Recommended Football Pitch & Goal sizes (Metric
               Measurements).                                                                   50

Appendix 5:    Regional and Local Strategic Context                                             51

Appendix 6:    Sport England Sports Facility Calculator Workings for                            64

Appendix 7:    Football and Cricket National Governing Body Typology and Age Groups and Team
               Generation Rates for Birchington.                                           65

Appendix 8:    Sport England Playing Pitch Calculator estimating demand for 1600 new dwellings
               with an estimated population of 3,792                                         66

Appendix 9:    Current (2019) and Future (New Development) Football and Cricket Teams and
               Playing Pitch Needs                                                              72

Appendix 10:   Sport England Sports Facility Calculator Workings for additional facility need in
               Thanet District Council based on a new development population of 3.792 residents
               (Birchington New Development)                                                     73
Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
LFFP                  Local Football Facilities Plan

LAP                   Local Areas for Play, normally small, landscaped areas of open space designed
                      for young children (under 6’s).

LEAP                  Local Equipped Area for Play normally designed for unsupervised play of age
                      ranges 4-12 but considerate of other age range and users.

NEAP                  Neighbourhood Equipped Area of Play; these play areas must cater for the
                      whole spectrum of the users of the play area but targeted at ages 4-14.
                      Teenage provision is highly regarded so the provision of kick about areas skate
                      and gathering areas are also to be considered.

NPPF                  The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government's
                      economic, environmental and social planning policies for England.

FA                    Football Association

ECB                   England and Wales Cricket Board

ONS                   Office of National Statistics

PPS                   Playing Pitch Strategy

S106                  Section 106

TGR                   Team Generation Rate
Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

1. Executive Summary
1.1. This assessment is just one part of Birchington’s Neighbourhood Plan evidence base. This is an
     assessment of the current open space, leisure and recreation assets within Birchington and it includes
     recommendations about policies and actions for the protection and improvement of these assets.

1.2. The Thanet Local Plan includes proposals to build up to 1600 new homes to the west of the village by
     2031. This assessment addresses the additional needs for open space. leisure and recreation that may
     arise and how they may be met.

1.3. Section 2 of this report sets out an introduction to Birchington and provides information on population,
     life expectancy, obesity and previous consultation with residents on open space in Birchington. Section
     3 summarises the key elements of national, regional and local strategic policy, and guidance, in relation
     to open space, green space infrastructure and leisure and recreation. Section 4 sets out the current
     and future needs and Section 5 provides a summary of recommendations, actions and next steps for
     current and future provision.

1.4. There are opportunities for the facilities and services within Birchington Parish Council area to meet
     national and local strategic outcomes and objectives by:

     •      Protecting and Improving the active infrastructure and by changing the use of underutilised
            spaces e.g., Memorial Recreation Ground, play areas and open space across Birchington.

     •      Developing physical confidence and competence from the earliest age by providing
            opportunities for children of all ages to be active through play.

     •      Encourage and enable the inactive to be more active, by introducing new activities aimed
            at fun and recreation rather than just traditional sport; and,

     •      Supporting wellbeing and resilience in communities through the provision of open space,
            green infrastructure, recreation and sport – increasing participation in physical activity will
            contribute to improved health and wellbeing.

1.5. The summary recommendations, actions and next steps are provided in the table below.

                                                                  Recommendations, Actions and Next Steps -
         Current Provision Assessment
                                                                  Current Provision
         The National, Regional and Local strategic context       Provide detailed policies for the Neighbourhood Plan
         provides the basis for the reasoned justification of     that are specific to Birchington but support the
         policies within the Birchington Neighbourhood Plan.      strategic planning policies within the Thanet District
                                                                  Local Plan.
         The Neighbourhood Plan will support the strategic
         planning policies in the Local Plan but provides more    At the same time ensure that the National, Regional
         detailed policies that are specific to Birchington.      and Local Strategic Context is applied as the basis
                                                                  for the reasoned justification of Birchington’s policies
                                                                  within the Neighbourhood Plan.

         Open Space and Green Infrastructure

         There is a deficit in Hectares of open space and green   Provide a Policy that protects and works to improve
         infrastructure per 1000 population across Birchington    the quality of open space and green infrastructure
         in each open space typology.                             and protects the open space green infrastructure
                                                                  sites identified in Table 4 and within the Birchington
         Table 4 provides the open space sites identified         Neighbourhood Plan Assessment of Local Green
         through consultation and are required to be protected    Spaces including Views and Vistas document.
         through the Neighbourhood Plan.

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Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

                                                               Recommendations, Actions and Next Steps -
    Current Provision Assessment
                                                               Current Provision
    The table also identifies the Thanet District Council      Need to provide other specific Birchington
    Local Plan Policies that support the sites to be           Neighbourhood Plan Policies that cover the
    protected.                                                 protection, provision and enhancement of:

    National planning policy gives local communities           •    Community gardens including allotments,
    powers to protect areas of local green space which         •    orchards and wildflower meadows.
    have a special significance through paragraphs 99 to       •    Trees and Hedgerows
    101 of NPPF: “99. The designation of land as Local         •    Play areas.
    Green Space through local and neighbourhood plans
    allows communities to identify and protect green      Consider putting in place site specific management
    areas of particular importance to them.               plans that reflect the criteria within the ‘Green Flag’
                                                          Award Raising the Standard. Guidance on the
    Ensuring the quality of existing open space and green ‘Green Flag’ criteria can be found at green-flag-
    infrastructure.                                       award-guidelines.pdf

    Recreation and Leisure Assets

    The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)              There should be a policy or policies that protects the
    requires local planning authorities to set out policies    leisure and recreation assets identified in Paragraph
    to help enable communities to access high quality          4.29 to Paragraph 4.39 and the policy or policies
    open spaces and opportunities for recreation.              should be consistent with Thanet District Council
                                                               Local Plan Policies CM01, CM02, SP32 and G105.
    National planning policy also states that existing sport
    and recreation land and buildings, including playing
    fields should not be built on unless they are surplus to
    requirements; the loss resulting from the proposed
    development would be replaced by equivalent or
    better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a
    suitable location; or development is for alternative
    sport and recreation facilities the need for which
    clearly outweighs the loss of the existing facility.
    Thanet District Council Local Plan Policies CM01,
    CMO2, SP32, G105 are entirely consistent with this
    approach.

    Memorial Recreation Ground

    There has been a consensus that the facilities and         The Memorial Recreation Ground development and
    infrastructure of the recreation ground needs to be        improvements should be identified as a separate
    improved and developed for the benefit of the              initiative/project within the Birchington
    community.                                                 Neighbourhood Plan.

                                                               A sperate Assessment Report has been undertaken
                                                               for the Memorial Recreation Ground and this should
                                                               be utilised as the basis for taking any future
                                                               developments forward at the Memorial Recreation
                                                               Ground.

                                                               There is a need to set up a specific advisory group
                                                               that can lead on the resident consultation to identify
                                                               need and infrastructure and then following the
                                                               consultation take forward the findings.

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Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

    Future Provision and Housing Development               Recommendations, Actions and Next Steps -
    Assessment.                                            Future Provision.
    Thanet District Council Local Plan Policies support    Ensure that Birchington Neighbourhood Plan has
    provision of green space, within in new developments   policies in place that reflect those policies within the
    whether open space, hedges, shrubs, trees, plants or   Thanet District Council Local Plan that support the
    green banks, that help to break up and screen the      provision of green space, in new developments. The
    mass of buildings, improve carbon absorption and       Thanet District Council Local Plan Policies to reflect
    enhance the natural environment.                       are:

                                                           •    Local Plan Policy GI06 - Landscaping and
                                                                Green Infrastructure.
                                                           •    Local Plan Policy GI04 - Amenity Green Space
                                                                and Equipped Play Areas.
                                                           •    Local Plan Policy SP26 Landscape Character
                                                                Areas.
                                                           •    Policy SP27 Green Infrastructure
                                                           •    SP30 Biodiversity and Geodiversity Assets:

    The Birchington Neighbourhood Plan will need to        Birchington Neighbourhood Plan must provide
    assess the need for additional open space typology,    quantities of space and facilities for new housing
    community, sports and recreational facilities and      developments by using the following tools and
    playing pitches from new developments.                 standards:

                                                           •   Playing Pitches – Sport England New Housing
                                                               Development Playing Pitch Calculator Tool. See
                                                               Appendix 8 Part 4.

                                                           •   Indoor Sport, sports halls, swimming pools and
                                                               indoor bowls facilities – Sport England Sports
                                                               Facility Calculator. See Appendix 10.

                                                           •   Open Space Typologies – Thanet District
                                                               Council Local Plan standard requirements for
                                                               new developments. See 4.89 and subsequent
                                                               tables.

                                                           Provision of new facilities for open space, leisure
                                                           and recreation, on-going maintenance and off-site
                                                           contributions should be considered as part of the
                                                           whole development, at the very beginning and form
                                                           an agreement. This should not be undertaken as a
                                                           phased approach. This ensures that new
                                                           infrastructure and contributions encompass the
                                                           whole development.

                                                           Off-site contributions for hockey, rugby and
                                                           swimming pool provision should be Thanet wide,
                                                           However, football cricket and provision of a 1 court
                                                           badminton hall (community hall provision) should be
                                                           considered within Birchington.

                                                           Any new school provided with halls or sports
                                                           facilities that could be used by the community
                                                           should have a formal Community Use Agreement in
                                                           place as part of Planning Conditions. See
                                                           Community Use Agreements | Sport England

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Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

2. Introduction
2.1. Birchington is a village situated on the Isle of Thanet, in northeast Kent, England, with a population of
     around 10,000. Located on the coast of the Thames Estuary. The village is 14 kilometres (9 mi) to the
     east of Herne Bay and 6 kilometres (4 mi) to the west of Margate. The small town of Westgate-on-
     Sea lies between Birchington and Margate.

2.2. Thanet was a separate island from mainland Kent until around two hundred years ago, when the 600m
     (2000 ft) Wensum Channel in between became silted up. The Parish of Birchington covers 7 sq. km
     and is administered by the Parish Council as part of the administrative district of Thanet, which also
     includes Westgate on Sea, Margate, Broadstairs, the historic port of Ramsgate and rural villages.

2.3. Birchington was first recorded in 1240 as Birchenton, a name derived from the Old English words 'bircen
     tun', meaning a farm where birch trees grow. Archaeological evidence has shown the area was
     inhabited before the existence of the village: Roman and prehistoric artefacts have been discovered in
     the area, and Minnis Bay was once the site of an Iron Age settlement.

2.4. Archives show that the Parish Church dates to around 1350. In the early 15th century, Quex Park
     Manor House - named after the park's second owner, John Quek - was built just south of the village.
     The ownership of the manor passed to various families until 1770 when it was acquired by the present
     owners, the Powell family.

2.5. The village is built beside four partly sandy bays: Minnis Bay to the west, Grenham Bay and Beresford
     Gap towards the centre and Epple Bay to the east. The area to the west of the village, between
     Birchington and Herne Bay, was once part of the Wantsum Channel and is now low-lying marshland.
     In the east of the village the land rises, forming chalk cliffs around the beaches at Grenham Bay,
     Beresford Gap and Epple Bay. A sea wall stretches along the foot of the cliffs to prevent further erosion.

2.6. Birchington was a farming community until the late 19th century, when it began to develop into a coastal
     resort. The 1801 census recorded the village's population as 537. Today the parish has a population
     of just over 10,000 and is still regarded by local people as a village, retaining its sense of community
     and character although included in the “urban area” by Thanet District Council in the Local Plan.

2.7. Birchington-on-Sea railway station is on the Chatham Main Line which runs between Ramsgate in East
     Kent and London Victoria. Birchington is around 1 hour and 40 minutes from London by Mainline train.

2.8. The Thanet Local Plan includes proposals to build up to 1600 new homes to the west of the village by
     2031. Assuming the average dwelling has 2.37 occupants the population of Birchington could increase
     by 3,792.

      Demographics
2.9. The Mid-2019 Population Estimates for 2019 Wards in England and Wales by Single Year of Age and
     Sex, Persons - Experimental Statistics are provided in table 1 below. It shows that Birchington’s
     estimated population is currently 10,257. There is a higher proportion of females (6,488) compared to
     men (3,769).

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Birchington Parish Council - Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment January 2021
Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

     Table 1: Mid-2019 Population Estimates for 2019 Wards in England and Wales by Single Year of Age and Sex,
     Persons - Experimental Statistics (Office National Statistics)
       Population Age                       Birchington Wards North & South        England
       Population aged 0 to 15 years        1,311 (12.8%)                          10,816,679 (19.2%)
       Population aged 16 to 24 years       608 (5.9%)                             5,953,505 (10.6%)
       Population aged 25 to 64 years       4,246 (41.4%)                          29,163,061(51.8%)
       Population aged 65 years and over    4,092 (39.9%)                          10,353,716 (18.4%)
       Total population                     10,257 (100%)                          56,286,961 (100%)

2.10. The Birchington population has 1,311 person aged 15 years and under 12.8% of the population
      compared to England’s population percentage 19.2%, there are 608 16 years – 24-year olds 5.9% of
      the Birchington population compared to England 10.6%, 4,246 aged 25 – 64-year olds 41.4% of the
      Birchington population compared to England 51.8% and 4,092 person aged 65 years plus 39.9% of the
      Birchington population compared to England 18.4%. Birchington has a higher ageing population 65
      years and over than England.

     Birchington Life Expectancy
2.11. Birchington has 2 Wards, Birchington North and Birchington South. These wards are part of the Quex
      Locality in the West of Thanet Clinical Commissioning Group. The Thanet Clinical Commissioning
      Group Locality Profile for Quex (West Thanet) 2017 identified the life expectancy for males and females
      for both wards. The information is provided in Appendix 1 Table 1 Life expectancy, years, 2013- 2017
      – Birchington South and Appendix 1 Table 2 Life expectancy, years 2013 – 2017 Birchington North.

2.12. Birchington South Ward has a lower life expectancy for males 79.6 years and females 82.4 years than
      those residents in Birchington North. Birchington North life expectancy for males is 80.2 years and
      females 85 years.

2.13. Birchington South has a higher life expectancy rate for males 79.6 years than Thanet District Council
      77.8 year, slightly lower than Kent County Council 79.9 years, but slightly higher than the England
      average 79.5 years. For female life expectancy, Birchington South 82.4 years is the same as Thanet
      District Council and slightly lower than Kent County Council 83.4 years and England 83.1 years.

2.14. Birchington North has a higher life expectancy rate for males 80.2 years than Thanet District Council
      77.8 years, Kent County Council 79.9 years and England 79.5 years. Female life expectancy in
      Birchington North 85 years is higher than Thanet District Council 82.4 years, Kent 83.4 years and
      England 83.1 years.

     Birchington Childhood Obesity
2.15. The National Child Measurement Programme measures the height and weight of each child in reception
      year and year 6. Birchington, reception year obesity rates shown in Appendix 2 table 1 Birchington
      South and Table 2 Birchington North range from 6.9% in Birchington North to 7.7% in Birchington
      South. Both Wards are lower than Thanet District Council 10%, Kent County Council 9.3% and England
      9.5%. The rates rise in year 6 to 18% in Birchington South and 17% in Birchington North again both
      are lower than Thanet District Council 21.2%, Kent 18.7% and England 20%.

     Consultation – Open Space

2.16. Open space community consultation in Birchington was carried out over 2 days in October 2019. Many
      of the people spoken to were retired but keen in keeping up their fitness through trim trails, walking
      through the fields towards Minnis Bay with views towards Reculver and along the coast. Most people
      enjoyed being close to nature and living in what feels like a village.

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Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

2.17. The consultation suggested a walking track lined with trees from Quex to Minnis Bay, as well as some
      form of cycle track that linked to the cycle route along the coast. Some residents are keen to see better
      links between Acol and Birchington.

2.18. Many consultees thought the current play provision was lacking in quality, maintenance and diversity.
      Although there are some playground facilities, there were requests for more facilities with more natural
      materials and play opportunities for older children (11+). Teenagers are not considered to be sufficiently
      catered for, with some suggestions for a skate park to be located somewhere in Birchington (some
      suggested the Dip).

2.19. In addition, the consultation identified outdoor space for community activities such as community
      gardens, a space for scout activities and general use picnic facilities were requested as there are not
      currently a lot of public general use spaces in Birchington beyond the coast (space for BBQs was also
      raised). There were requests for Dog parks so that general use spaces will be free of dogs as well as
      provide open space for dogs year-round. Some mentioned there is a long waiting list for allotments.

2.20. There were requests for more green spaces with trees creating natural habitats, for bird watching,
      relaxing, seats to appreciate views to Reculver and in general quiet spaces removed from the urban
      environment.

2.21. A range of programmed exercise spaces were suggested including running tracks, cricket green (some
      members said that Birchington has lost its cricket team), tennis court (consultation said teens must
      travel to Herne Bay - there are 2 courts at Birchington Tennis Club), basketball courts (there is a hoop
      at Crispe Park and at Birchington Memorial Recreation Ground), indoor sports (a few residents made
      the point that there is nothing to do in winter and said a gym/ indoor pool would be welcomed).

2.22. There were also discussions about s106 contributions towards the restoration of the pavilion at the
      bequeathed Recreation Ground.

2.23. There is a recommendation to carry out further public consultation.

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Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

3. Strategic Context
      National Strategy and Policy

      National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF. 2019)

3.1. National planning policy is set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, 2019)
     and associated planning policy guidance.

3.2. The NPPF states that open space, which includes all open space of public value, can take many forms
     and can provide health and recreation benefits to people living and working nearby; have an ecological
     value and contribute to green infrastructure, as well as being an important part of the landscape and
     setting of built development, and an important component in the achievement of sustainable
     development. The NPPF recommends that local authorities robustly assess the need for open space,
     sport and recreation facilities and opportunities for new provision in their area. Assessments should
     identify specific needs and quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses in the local area, taking into
     consideration local circumstances where necessary. The NPPF includes the ability for local
     communities to further protect the most important community spaces with a Local Green Space
     designation via local and neighbourhood plans. Local Green Space designation is a way to provide
     special protection against development for green areas of particular importance to local communities.

3.3. The NPPF has a key focus in achieving sustainable development and states that the overarching social
     objective of the planning system is:

      Figure 1: Social Objective

       “to support strong, vibrant and healthy communities….by fostering a well-designed and safe
       built environment, with accessible services and open spaces that reflect current and future
       needs and support community’s health, social and cultural wellbeing.”

3.4. Paragraphs 96 and 97 of the NPPF outline the planning policies for the provision and protection of sport
     and recreation facilities:

      Figure 2: NPPF Outline paragraphs 96 and 97

       Paragraph 96: “Access to a network of high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and
       physical activity is important for the health and well-being of communities. Planning policies should
       be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space, sport and recreation
       facilities (including quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses) and opportunities for new
       provision. Information gained from the assessments should be used to determine what open space,
       sport and recreational provision is needed, which plans should then seek to accommodate.”

       Paragraph 97: “Existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing
       fields, should not be built on unless:

       •    an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land
            to be surplus to requirements; or
       •    the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better
            provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or
       •    the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly
            outweigh the loss of the current or former use.”

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Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

3.5. The National Planning Policy Framework Paragraph 99 states:

     ‘The designation of land as Local Green Space through local and neighbourhood plans allows
     communities to identify and protect green areas of particular importance to them. Designating
     land as Local Green Space should be consistent with the local planning of sustainable
     development and complement investment in sufficient homes, jobs and other essential
     services. Local Green Spaces should only be designated when a plan is prepared or updated
     and be capable of enduring beyond the end of the plan period’.

3.6. Paragraph 100 states:

     ‘The Local Green Space designation should only be used where the green space is:

     a)   in reasonably close proximity to the community, it serves.

     b) demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for
        example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a
        playing field), tranquility or richness of its wildlife; and

     c)   local in character and is not an extensive tract of land.

3.7. In addition to national planning policy, there is an ever-increasing awareness of the importance of the
     population being healthy and active, to maintain and improve both physical and mental wellbeing, and
     providing well-kept, accessible open spaces can play a major role in this.

3.8. Other national organisations have produced strategies that support these aims, for example:

     •     Sport England: Towards an Active Nation (2016-2021)

     •     Public Health England: health Matters: Getting Every Adult Active Every Day (2016)

3.9. A summary of the key strategies and their respective outcomes are detailed in the infographic in figure
     3 overleaf.

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Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

     Figure 3: National Priorities

                                                   Public Health
                                                 England - Health
                                                  Matters: getting
                                                 every adult active
                                                     every day
                                                     July 2016

                                                                              DCMS -
                                                                             Sporting
                                                                             Future: A
                                                                                New
                                                                            Strategy for
                                                                             an Active
                                                                               Nation
                                                                             Dec 2015
                                                                            Framework
                National                                                     Outcomes
               Strategies

                                                                               Sport
                                                                             England -
                                                                            Towards an
                                                                               Active
                                                                               Nation
                                                                              Strategy
                                                                             2016-2021

                                                British Medical
                                               Association - Get
                                                Moving Report
                                                October 2019 -
                                               Steps to Increase
                                               Physical Activity in
                                                     the UK

     Department of Transport – Gear Change ‘A bold vision for cycling and walking’ (2020)

3.10. Recently and in response to the Covid-19 pandemic the Department of Transport has published –
      Gear Change ‘A bold vision for cycling and walking’ (2020) vision is.

      “England will be a great walking and cycling nation. Places will be truly walkable. A travel revolution
      in our streets, towns and communities will have made cycling a mass form of transit. Cycling and
      walking will be the natural first choice for many journeys with half of all journeys in towns and cities
      being cycled or walked by 2030”.

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Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

3.11. A detailed summary of the National Strategic context is provided in Appendix 3.

3.12. In addition to the above national strategies there are specific sport’s National Governing Body
      Strategies that may impact on the Memorial Recreation Ground.

      National Football Association Facilities Strategy 2018 – 2028

3.13. The National Football Association Facilities Strategy 2018 – 2028 aims to ensure that by 2028:

      •   Every FA-affiliated club has access to a 3G artificial pitch for training and potentially
          matches.

      •   Accelerated improvements are made to the key grass pitch sites across England to reduce
          fixture cancellations. The FA states that approximately 1 in 6 grass roots matches are called
          off nationally due to poor pitch quality.

      The FA National Games Strategy 2018 to 2021

3.14. In terms of participation there is a focus of strengthening the player pathway for males, females, futsal
      and disability. Regarding facilities, the focus to 2021 will be on continuing to build capacity through
      developing sustainable football facilities. This will be achieved through a programme of standardised
      and scaled pitch development.

3.15. The Kent County Football Associations priority as part of the National Games Strategy is to support
      existing clubs to grow and encourage more clubs to develop playing opportunities for females. The
      local girl’s league is the Kent Girl’s and Ladies Football League in which matches are played on a home
      and away basis. It is expected to grow its provision in future years. The local adult female leagues are
      the Kent Girl’s and Ladies Football League and South East Counties Women’s League, both of which
      play matches home and away. They are also expected to grow provision in future years.

      Football Association Minimum Football Pitch and Goal Sizes

3.16. The Football Association recommendations for minimum football pitch and goal sizes are provided in
      Appendix 4. The minimum Run off areas surrounding the pitch should be free from obstacles (including
      fixed grounds equipment such as floodlights and football dugouts/team shelters) to prevent injury to
      players and officials who may run into them.

3.17. Run-offs surfaces should be the same as that used on the playing area. Tarmac and concrete surfaces
      are not allowed; however 3G football turf surfaces are allowed for match official run-offs.

3.18. Where multiple pitches exist alongside each other, a minimum of six yards (5.5 metres) run-off area
      should exist. An additional four yards (3.7 metres) may also be required to accommodate spectator
      areas.

3.19. Whilst it is recognised that individual County Football Associations and Leagues may have already
      defined rules for their own competitions (within the minimum and maximum pitch/goal sizes as specified
      in the Laws of the Game), it is recommended that the pitch sizes in Appendix 4 be adopted whenever
      possible.

      England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Inspiring Generations 2020 - 2024

3.20. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Inspiring Generations’ is the document that lays out
      the strategy to grow cricket in England and Wales 2020 – 24.

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3.21. The strategy purpose is:

          ‘We connect communities and improve lives by inspiring people to discover and share their
          passion for cricket’.

3.22. The Strategy identifies several strategic programmes to increase participation:

      •     All Stars Cricket - All Stars Cricket provides a first experience for all children aged 5-8 years old
            where they are guaranteed 8 weeks of jam-packed fun, activity and skills development. The
            programme is designed to introduce children to the sport, teaching them new skills, helping them
            make new friends and have a great time doing so.

      •     Dynamos Cricket – Provides the next step for those graduating from All Stars Cricket and is an
            introduction for all 8 – 11-year-olds new to the sport. Complementing junior cricket, Dynamos
            provides children with a social offer focussed on developing fundamental movement skills and
            applying them in an exciting game of countdown cricket.

      •     Women and Girl’s Cricket – In 2019 a Women and Girl’s Cricket action plan was adopted by the
            ECB. The comprehensive ten-point action plan aims to transform all elements of women’s and
            girls’ cricket in England and Wales to increase engagement, grow representation and improve
            opportunities across the game. The plan focuses on five key objectives:

            ➢ Participation: To increase the number of women and girls playing cricket recreationally
            ➢ Pathway: To develop aspiring female cricketers (U11-17) as players and people
            ➢ Performance: To drive the performance of England women’s cricket through a new semi-
              professional, eight region structure
            ➢ Profile: To elevate the profile of women’s cricket through The Hundred, the England Women’s
              team and the elite game
            ➢ People: To increase the representation of women across the cricket workforce

      Sport England’s Active Design Guidance

3.23. Sport England’s Active Design Guidance soon to be superseded by Active Environments, developed
      in partnership with Public Health England, https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/facilities-
      and-planning/design-and-cost-guidance/active-design provides ten principles to inspire and inform the
      design and layout of cities, towns, villages, neighbourhoods, buildings, streets and open spaces to
      promote participation in sport, physical activity and active lifestyles. There is also a need to follow the
      design guidance of the National governing bodies when providing playing pitches (natural turf and non
      turf) and changing rooms/pavilions.

      Sport England Sports Facility Calculator (SFC)

3.24. The Sport England Sports Facility Calculator (SFC) was created to help local planning authorities
      quantify how much additional demand for the key community sports facilities (swimming pools, sports
      halls and indoor bowls facilities), is generated by populations of new growth, development and
      regeneration areas. The Sports Facility Calculator can be accessed via the Active Place Places Power
      web site https://www.activeplacespower.com/ and then access reports.

      Sport England Playing Pitch Calculator Tool for New Developments

3.25. The Sport England Playing Pitch Calculator Tool for New Developments quantifies how much additional
      demand for the key playing pitch facilities is generated by populations of new growth, development and
      regeneration areas.

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      Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young Peoples Survey released December 2019

3.26. Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young Peoples Survey, released December 2019, covers
      the academic year 2018/19. The survey nationally showed an increase of 3.6% in the number of
      children in England doing an average of 60 minutes or more of physical activity a day. The
      survey also shows that active children are happier, more resilient and more trusting of others and it
      also shows a positive association between being active and higher levels of mental wellbeing, individual
      development and community development.

3.27. Unfortunately, the 2019 Children and young Peoples survey data does not go down below county level.
      For Kent County Council. 46.5% of children and young people are active for 60 minutes or more a day.
      22.45 are fairly active an average of 39 – 59 minutes a day and 31% less active, less than an average
      of 30 minutes a day.

      Sport England Active Lives Adults Survey released October 2020

3.28. The Sport England Active Lives Survey for Adults was released in October 2020 and covers May 2019
      – May 2020. The survey covers Thanet District Council. It does not go down to ward or parish level.
      The results for Thanet show that 63.6% of adults are fairly active (150 minutes of activity a week), 9.6%
      of adults are fairly active (30 – 149 minutes of activity a week) and 26.8% are in active (less than 30
      minutes of activity a week).

3.29. Coronavirus (Covid-19) has had a profound effect on the world, with social distancing and restrictions
      on movement resulting in a complete overhaul of the way many people get active.

3.30. With the implementation of guidance in England limiting people to one outdoor activity a day and only
      with members of their own household, the majority of sports and exercise activities became impossible
      overnight. However, use of green space has been highly valued during lock down and walking and
      cycling participation has risen.

      Regional Strategy and Policy

3.31. There are several documents, plans and strategies that cover Kent County Council that impact on green
      spaces, play, sport and physical activity.

3.32. A summary of the key strategies and their respective outcomes are summarised below. A more detailed
      summary is provided in Appendix 5. Regional and Local Strategic Context.

      Draft Kent Joint and Wellbeing Board Strategy 2018 – 2023

3.33. The vision is that everyone in Kent will have improved health and wellbeing and that inequalities in
      levels of health and wellbeing across the county will be reduced. Our strategic aims for this strategy
      are to improve life expectancy and extend the number of years lived in good health.

      Kent Sports Partnership – Towards an Active County 2017

3.34. The vision is:

      More people, More, Active, More often.

3.35. The priorities towards an Active County are:

      •   Increasing participation.
      •   Supporting inactive people to become active.
      •   Link to social agendas – health, education etc.

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      •   Opportunities for children and young people to become active.
      •   Addressing inequalities in engagement with sport by targeting certain groups (women,
          lower socio-economic populations, black and ethnic minorities, disabled and older people).
      •   Improving facilities.
      •   Supporting the voluntary sector and volunteers.
      •   Maximising the benefit of major events.

      District Strategy and Policy
3.36. Green spaces, play, sport, physical activity and active recreation contribute to a range of Thanet District
      Council Policies and strategies. It is widely acknowledged that the wider value of participation in parks
      and recreation grounds, sport and physical activity is recognised across a range of policy areas,
      including health and wellbeing, crime, education, employment and regeneration. By ensuring strategic
      alignment with these appropriate strategies will assist to further engage partners and secure support
      for any development options that come forward from the Birchington Neighbourhood Plan. By
      identifying the direct and indirect references to open space, sport, physical activity and recreation it will
      enable a whole systems approach.

      Thanet District Council Core Business Objectives (2019 – 2023)

3.37. Thanet District Council’s Core Business Objectives set out the direction of travel for the Council over
      the next four years laying the strong foundations that will benefit, shape and grow the district.

      Thanet District Local Plan (Adopted 2020)

3.38. Thanet District Local Plan (Adopted 2020) - covers Birchington and sets out all strategic planning
      policies for the whole of the Isle of Thanet for the period to 2031. It includes proposals to build up to
      1600 new homes to the west of Birchington by 2031. The national average of persons per household
      is 2.37 persons in 2019. The population of Birchington could increase by 3,792.

3.39. Neighbourhood plans should support the delivery of strategic policies contained in local plans and
      should shape and direct development that is outside of these strategic policies.

3.40. The Thanet District Council Local Plan Policies below all impact on the open space, community and
      recreation polices within the Neighbourhood Plan:

      Policy SP24 -    Development in the Countryside
      Policy SP25 -    Safeguarding the Identity of Thanet's Settlements
      Policy SP26 -    Landscape Character Areas
      Policy SP27 -    Green Infrastructure
      Policy SP28 -    Protection of the International and European Designated Sites
      Policy SP29 -    Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Plan (SAMM)
      Policy SP30 -    Biodiversity and Geodiversity Assets
      Policy SP31 -    Biodiversity Opportunity Areas
      Policy SP32 -    Protection of Open Space and Allotments
      Policy SP33 -    Local Green Space
      Policy SP34 -    Provision of Accessible Natural and Semi Natural Green Space, Parks, Gardens
                       and Recreation Grounds
      Policy SP35 -    Quality Development
      Policy E12 -     Quex Park
      Policy CM01 -    Provision of New Community Facilities
      Policy CM02 -    Protection of Existing Community Facilities
      Policy HE02 -    Development in Conservation Areas

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3.41. When considering new open space and provision the Thanet District Local Plan will expect all new
      developments to make provision for new open space in line with Fields in Trust guidelines for provision,
      accessibility and equipped play space. Table 12 in the Local Plan sets out the provision guidelines,
      table 10 sets out the accessibility criteria and table 11 sets out the quantity benchmark guidelines for
      equipped/designated play space.

3.42. When considering new open space and provision the Thanet District Council Local Plan provides the
      following policies:

      Policy GI04 - Amenity Green Space and Equipped Play Areas
      Policy GI05 - Protection of Playing Fields and Outdoor Sports Facilities
      Policy GI06 - Landscaping and Green Infrastructure

      Thanet District Council Open Space Strategy 2018
3.43. Thanet District Council Open Space Strategy 2018 – Sets out guidance for quality standards required
      for open space. The Strategy identifies that all open space types throughout the district should have
      improvements made to entrances in line with Green Flag criteria in order to make them more
      welcoming, and to attract more visitors.

3.44. The Strategy identifies the variability in the quality of play provision for young children and that upgrades
      are required in several communities. Iplay should be considered in urban areas and green play should
      be considered in urban and rural areas. Intelligent play or “iplay.” includes several physical challenges
      like those provided by conventional play equipment and combines interactive electronics with
      conventional playground equipment, it has been created to break the vicious cycle of sedentary
      behaviour resulting in rising childhood obesity. Iplay has been designed to intelligently adjust according
      to children’s performance. So, anyone 8+ can play. Green play provides play opportunities in a play
      area using natural materials, and in particular timber. Green play areas often include “soft” elements
      such as the use of willow tunnels, soft landscaping using wild species, and tree planting. Thus, green
      play has several advantages: It is sustainable, using natural and renewable materials and it is in
      keeping with natural landscapes in small settlements, or in the countryside. Biodiversity can be
      enhanced with careful landscaping and children can engage with the natural environment.

      Thanet District Council Playing Pitch Strategy 2017
3.45. Thanet District Council Playing Pitch Strategy 2017 - Provides an assessment of the sports pitches and
      facilities across the District. Paragraph 1.29 under the Playing Pitch Strategy headline findings identifies
      that Birchington Recreation Ground (Memorial Recreation Ground) should be configured to provide 2
      junior 11 v 11 football pitches. This is to assist in meeting the need for junior 11 v 11 football pitches
      across the district by 2031. The above is also recorded in the Playing Pitch Strategy individual site
      action plan for Birchington Recreation Ground. The individual site action plan also protects the
      Memorial Recreation Ground as a playing field site in the Local Plan. The Playing Pitch Strategy
      recommendation is to use the Sport England New Development Calculator in the planning process
      when considering new housing. The calculator should be used to identify future playing pitch
      requirements. This means that when planning applications come forward for the new Local Plan such
      as large residential development that the Sport England Development Calculator Tool can be used to
      identify the cost of contributions required from each development or planning application. This is to
      ensure that sporting provision is planned at the start of the development and not as it grows.

      Thanet District Council Sports Strategy 2018 – 2031
3.46. Thanet District Council Sports Strategy 2018 – 2031 – A Strategy that identifies a range of high quality,
      strategically-located, accessible and sustainable sport and leisure facilities to facilitate increased
      regular participation in sport and physical activity, to contribute to a reduction in health inequalities in
      the District’.

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      Active Thanet Strategic Framework 2018 – 2022
3.47. Active Thanet Strategic Framework 2018 – 2022 - This framework highlights the local authorities’ vision
      in reducing the economic impact and burden inactivity has for the NHS and other health care providers.
      This Framework supports Sport England’s - Towards an Active Nation and will also support Public
      Health England (PHE) strategic framework, ‘Everybody active, every day’ and wider Public Health
      policies in addressing health inequalities across Thanet.

      Thanet District Council Local Football Facilities Plan (July 2020)
3.48. Thanet District Council Local Football Facilities Plan (July 2020) will, in effect, be the go-to document
      for football facility investment in Thanet. There are no identified projects within the LFFP in Birchington
      However, it is recognised that the Thanet Playing Pitch Strategy is the relevant Planning document for
      playing pitch provision.

      Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Assessment of Local Green Spaces Including Views
      and Vistas (2021).
3.49. The Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Assessment of Local Green Spaces including Views and Vistas
      has been produced as part of the development of the Birchington Neighbourhood Plan. It provides
      supporting evidence about the views and vistas around the village and lists many of the green open
      spaces that exist and should be protected for future generations.

3.50. The document is informed by contributions made by local residents during participation at meetings,
      open days and workshops. Information is also drawn from the Thanet District Council Local Plan
      development process and the adopted 2020 adopted Plan.

3.51. Appendix A includes a list of open spaces in Birchington produced by Thanet District Council during
      development of the Thanet Local Plan. This is included for reference and in acknowledgement that
      work conducted by Thanet District Council has been used to underpin this document.

      Summary of National, Local and Regional Strategic Context
3.52. Neighbourhood Local Plans must meet certain basic conditions, conform to the National Planning
      Policy Framework and not conflict with the Local Plan. The Thanet District Local Plan covers
      Birchington and sets out all strategic planning policies for the whole of the Isle of Thanet. Once the
      Neighbourhood Plan has been approved it will carry the same legal weight, in planning terms, as any
      other Plan. It can include other issues, but these will not influence planning decisions.

3.53. The National, Regional and Local strategic context provides the basis for the reasoned justification of
      policies within the Birchington neighbourhood plan.

3.54. There are opportunities for the facilities and services within Birchington Parish Council area to meet
      national and local strategic outcomes and objectives by:

      •   Protecting and Improving the active infrastructure and by changing the use of underutilised
          spaces e.g., Memorial Recreation Ground, play areas and open space across Birchington.

      •   Developing physical confidence and competence from the earliest age by providing
          opportunities for children of all ages to be active through play.

      •   Encourage and enable the inactive to be more active, by introducing new activities aimed
          at fun and recreation rather than just traditional sport; and,

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Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

      •   Supporting wellbeing and resilience in communities through the provision of open space,
          green infrastructure, recreation and sport – increasing participation in physical activity will
          contribute to improved health and wellbeing.

3.55. Strategic alignment with the national and local strategies will help to further engage partners and
      funders to secure support for facility improvements and developments such as the development of the
      Memorial Recreation Ground.

3.56. The overall improvement to green/open space, community and recreation facilities and programmes
      for Birchington has the potential to assist directly in bringing about a sustained increase in physical
      activity participation leading in the long term to improved health and well-being of Birchington residents.

3.57. The Neighbourhood Plan will support the strategic planning policies in the Local Plan but provides more
      detailed policies that are specific to Birchington.

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Birchington Parish Council
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4. Current and Future Provision
     Current Provision

     Open Space and Green Infrastructure
4.1. Green spaces including parks, allotments, front gardens and private and publicly accessible spaces
     contribute towards the character of Birchington providing resources of nature conservation, recreation
     and community value. The community appreciate these spaces and are seeking to ensure that they
     are protected and enhanced.

4.2. The Thanet District Council Open Space Strategy did not go down to Parish level when identifying over
     and under supply of green space typology across Thanet.

4.3. Table 2 below, shows the deficit of the different green space typologies across Thanet District.

     Table 2: Deficit of the different green space typologies across Thanet District

                              Existing                                                         Projected
                                                     Current       Fields in
         Open Space           provision                                          Requirement   Deficit /
                                           Ha        provision     Trust
         Typology             Total no.                                          by 2031       oversupply
                                                     ha/1000       guidelines
                              of sites                                                         2031
                                                                   0.6ha per
         Amenity                                                   1,000 per
                              137          67.11     0.52                        96.9          -29.79
         Greenspace                                                population

         Provision for                                             0.25ha per
         children and young   31           3.61      0.03          1,000         40.38         -76.77
         people                                                    population

                                                                   0.2ha per
                                                                   1,000
         Allotments           16           24.46     0.17                        32.3          -7.84
                                                                   population

                                                                   1.8ha per
         Natural and semi-
                              14           100.51    0.71          1,000         290.7         -190.19
         natural greenspace
                                                                   population

                                                                   0.8ha per
         Public parks and
                              26           74.54     0.53          1,000         129.2         -54.66
         gardens
                                                                   population

4.4. As can be seen from table 2 above there is a deficit in each open space typology. This highlights even
     more the importance of protecting and improving the quality of existing green space typologies in
     Birchington.

4.5. Table 3 below considers the current sites being considered for protection within the Birchington
     Neighbourhood Plan. These sites are fully depicted in Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Assessment of
     Local Green Spaces Including Views and Vistas document. Table 3 below considers the following sites
     under the following typologies:

     •     Public Parks and Gardens - are usually multi-purpose in function, generally larger than
           Amenity Greenspace, and contain several facilities (may include Facilities for Children and

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            Young People, outdoor sports, horticultural features, etc.). Sites – Crispe Park 1.72Ha and
            Birchington Memorial Recreation Ground 3.1Ha.

     •      Natural and Semi Natural Greenspace - They may consist of woodland, common land, or
            other informal landscapes. Sites – Neame Woods 0.72Ha.

     •      Provision for children and Young People – equipped/designated play areas. Sites Minnis
            Bay 0.28Ha, Birchington Memorial Recreation Ground 0.1Ha, Crispe Park 0.3Ha

     •      Allotments – Sites Park Lane /Brunswick Road 0.55Ha and St James Terrace Epple Bay
            0.69Ha.

     •      Amenity Green Space – Sites Minnis Cliff Tops & The Butts 3.84Ha, The Parade, Minnis Bay
            0.89Ha, The Dip Minnis Bay 0.97Ha, Grenham Bay Cliff Tops 6.63Ha, Epple Bay Avenue 1.61
            Ha, Queen Berthas Avenue 0.14Ha, Canterbury Road/Charlesbury Road 0.45Ha, Sherwood
            Road 0.16Ha, Norrie Road / Canterbury Road 0.20Ha, Dog Acre/ Alpha Road / Station Road
            0.16Ha, Duncan Drive/ Cunningham Crescent 0.06Ha, Grenville Gardens 0.1Ha and The
            Green, Minnis Bay 0.93Ha.

     •      There are 4 sites providing open space that are closed to the public that the Neighbourhood
            Plan wishes to protect and have not been allocated to one of the typologies above. These
            sites are: King Ethelbert School Open Space & Playing Field 7.69Ha, Farmland Rear of King
            Ethelbert School 33.59Ha, Quex Park 106.03Ha and Farmland to South of Manston Road
            15.62Ha.

4.6. Thanet District Council Open Space Strategy states that there is no quantitative standard for sport and
     recreation facilities or cemeteries. However, sport and recreation facilities and cemeteries need to be
     protected. The sites include Birchington Primary School Playing Fields, Birchington Bowls and Tennis
     Club, Birchington and Westgate Golf Club, All Saints Church of England Cemetery and St Thomas
     Church of England Cemetery.

     Table 3: Current Estimated Deficit (-) / Oversupply (+) per 1000 population against Fields in Trust guideline
     standards of the different green space typologies across Birchington.

                        Existing                                               Current Estimated Deficit (-) /
         Open                                 Current       Fields in Trust
                        provision                                              oversupply (+) per 1000
         Space                      Ha        provision     guideline
                        Total no.                                              population against Fields in
         Typology                             ha/1000       standards
                        of sites                                               Trust guideline standards

         Public                                             0.8ha per
         Parks and      2           4.82      0.47          1,000              - 0.33
         Gardens                                            population

         Natural and
                                                            1.8ha per
         semi-
                        1           0.72      0.07          1,000              -1.73
         natural
                                                            population
         greenspace
         Provision
                                                            0.25ha per
         for children
                        3           0.68      0.07          1,000              -0.18
         and young
                                                            population
         people
                                                            0.2ha per
                                                            1,000
         Allotments     2           1.24      0.1                              -0.08
                                                            population

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Birchington Parish Council
 Birchington Neighbourhood Plan Leisure & Recreation Assessment

                       Existing                                              Current Estimated Deficit (-) /
          Open                                Current      Fields in Trust
                       provision                                             oversupply (+) per 1000
          Space                     Ha        provision    guideline
                       Total no.                                             population against Fields in
          Typology                            ha/1000      standards
                       of sites                                              Trust guideline standards
                                                           0.6ha per
          Amenity                                          1,000 per
                       13           16.14     1.57                           +0.97
          Greenspace                                       population

4.7. Amenity Greenspace is the only open space typology with a current oversupply in Birchington +0.97
     hectares per 1000 population.

4.8. Table 4 overleaf provides the open space sites identified through consultation and are required to be
     protected through the Neighbourhood Plan. The table also identifies the Thanet District Council Local
     Plan Policies that support the sites to be protected.

4.9. There are multiple green spaces within the Parish Boundary. By large we mean of a size suitable for
     children and families to have enough room for recreational pursuits such as ball games etc. without
     disturbing residents. The exception to this is Dog Acre due to its location near main roads and tree
     density. The Quex Estate is excluded as it is private but still may be considered as it forms an important
     amenity and green “lung” for the village.

4.10. The Primary School in Park Lane and King Ethelbert’s School in Canterbury Road also contain playing
      fields, but these are not generally open to the public outside school hours. Another important green
      space is the Westgate and Birchington Golf Club which acts as a break between the built-up areas of
      the two settlements. The All-Saints Churchyard in the commercial centre also contributes to green
      space, as a place of quiet contemplation and retreat, not for recreational or leisure use. The allotments
      in Park Lane and in Epple Hill also form valuable community resources and green space on the edge
      of the village settlement.

4.11. There are also many small green spaces that are “oases” within developments, and these are equally
      important to protect.

4.12. As stated in national planning policy (para. 96) access to a network of high-quality open spaces and
      opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to a community’s health and
      wellbeing. The open space and sport and recreation facilities identified in Table 4 fulfil this role.

4.13. Proposals to improve and enhance these facilities must be supported. National planning policy and
      Thanet District Council Local Plan Policy also states that existing open space, sport and recreation land
      and buildings, including playing fields should not be built on unless they are surplus to requirements.
      The loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision
      in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location or development is for alternative sport and
      recreation facilities the need for which clearly outweighs the loss of the existing facility.

4.14. Open space is protected in Thanet District Council’s Local Plan Policy SP32 - Protection of Open Space
      and Allotments. Most of the open spaces listed in Table 4 are protected in Thanet District Council’s
      Local Plan apart from:

      •     Birchington Bowls Club and Tennis Courts
      •     Queen Berthas Avenue
      •     Canterbury Road/ Charlsbury Road
      •     Birchington Primary School Open Space and Playing Field
      •     Norrie Road/Canterbury Road
      •     Duncan Drive/Cunningham Crescent
      •     Open land St Thomas C of E Church.

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