wembley-plan-app (small) , item 9. PDF 8 MB - Meetings, agendas ...

100Wembley Area Action Plan - Proposed Submission Version11 Open space, sports and wildlifeStrategic Policy11.1 There is a lack of open space in Wembleyand access to existing open spaces is limited.Biodiversity and the natural environment can leadto opportunities, not just for wildlife activity andconnection, but also health, recreation, contributingto climate change adaptation and improving qualityof life. The strategic policies set out in the LondonPlan support the protection of local open space andrequire open space deficiencies to be addressed(policy 7.18). The River Brent forms part of the BlueRibbon Network, London Plan policy 7.24recognises the Blue Ribbon Network as animportant series of linked spaces and policy 7.28seeks the restoration and enhancement of rivers.Improving people's accessibility to nature and theprotection of wildlife habitats is supported in LondonPlan policy 7.19, whilst policy 7.22 protects existingallotments and supports identification of spaces forcommunity food growing and innovative approachesto providing space to grow food. Furthermore,access to good quality play and informal recreationprovision for children and young people issupported in London Plan policy 3.6. AlthoughWembley Stadium is home to international andnational football, Brent has one of the worstparticipation rates in England for sport and physicalactivity (Sport England's Active People Survey2011-12 2005-6). London Plan policy 3.19encourages the enhancement and increasedprovision of sports facilities.11.2 Wembley's deficiency in open space andlack of participation in sports is reflected in theBrent Core Strategy objectives to protect andenhance Brent's environment and to promote sportand other recreational activities with new facilitiesin areas of deficiency, including at least one newpool. Policy CP18 Protection & Enhancement ofOpen Space, Sports & Biodiversity seeks new parksin Wembley and contributions from developmentwill be sought towards sports facilities. The CoreStrategy policy CP7 Wembley GrowthArea identifies the need for a new park (1.2ha) and3 pocket parks (0.4ha each), improve quality &accessibility of existing open spaces, a newcommunity swimming pool, indoor & outdoor sportsfacilities, play areas and the planting of a minimumof 1,000 trees. The Core Strategy Wembley GrowthArea Key Diagram shows existing open spacesand indicates the location of 4 new public openspaces and proposed pedestrian links to openspace.Policy Context11.3 The majority of the Wembley area is morethan 400m walking distance from either KingEdward VII Park or Brent River Park and istherefore considered to be deficient in public openspace. There are also few small public open spacesin the Wembley area. The nearby Sherren's Farmand Chalkhill open spaces are separated from themain regeneration area by the Metropolitan, Jubileeand Chiltern railway lines. The nearest playgroundsat King Edward VII and Brent River Park are outsidethe area. The area south of the High Road andHarrow Road is a priority area for new playprovision.11.4 Sports facilities are available at King EdwardVII Park (tennis, football and bowls) and the newsports hall, synthetic turf pitch, netball, basketballand tennis courts are located at Ark Academyschool are available for community use. In addition,Power League 7 a-side and 5-aside football pitchesare situated next to Wembley Arena. The councilis supportive of the provision of commercial ownedsports and recreational facilities. Brent Planning forSports and Active Recreation Facilities Strategy2008-2010 identifies a significant lack of swimmingpool provision in the borough and recommends anew pool is needed to serve central areas of theborough. Other sport facility improvements alsosought in Wembley include:New and upgraded sports hallsPitch and changing facilities at King EdwardVII Park and Chalkhill open spaceNew multi use games areas (MUGAs) at KingEdward VII Park, Sherren's Farm and ChalkhillYouth CentreRefurbished BMX track at Chalkhill