Public reports pack PDF 3 MB - Blaby District Council

Disposal or Leasing of Sites
The Council will use the following criteria when considering any sites for disposal
and in relation to any requests made to BDC by Parish / Town Councils or Community
Organisations wishing to take ownership of a BDC site:
Is there suffi cient quantity
in the locality?
Is there suffi cient access to
other similar opportunities?
Is there suffi cient quality in the locality?
What is the current and future value of the land?
Will the green space be improved or
alternative/additional facilities provided?
The District Council will endeavour to re-invest into green space sites with receipts and
maintenance resources released from any such arrangements.
Developer Contributions
Contributions are typically secured against residential development but can also be
required for non residential development if it would have an impact on the area. The
provision of infrastructure, facilities and services which are required by a planning
obligation should, where possible, be provided on site. However, there will be
circumstances where this may not be practical or appropriate. In these circumstances,
the Council will seek fi nancial contributions towards the provision and / or maintenance
of infrastructure, facilities and services at an alternative off-site location.
In relation to off-site contributions, due to the variation between sites and locations of new
residential housing developments, it is considered to be impractical (given the time scale
allowed to determine planning applications) to individually cost up each application where
an off-site contribution is required. Therefore the Council has developed a standard formula
for calculating the cost of providing the required facilities offsite. This model considers
the diverse range of recreational, play and sporting needs of the community along with
providing areas natural green space that will benefi t wildlife and ecology.
Planning legislation requires for these off-site contributions to be invested in local
infrastructure that will benefi t the residents of the new development. The Council has
established a Working Group to make recommendations on how these contributions are
used in consultation with local Parish / Town Councils.
Safeguarding Green Space
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides against building on green
spaces and the sites of sports and recreational buildings for non-recreational uses. The
NPPF indicates that local communities can identify for special protection green areas of
particular importance by designating land as Local Green Space. Green Wedges and Areas
of Separation along with their detailed boundaries will be reviewed through the District
Council’s Allocations, Designations and Development Management Plan Document.
Partnership Working
We will work in partnership with the County Council, Parish / Town Councils and
Community Groups to manage and enhance our green spaces. The Council needs to
develop strong relationships with external organisations and its residents to provide,
develop and enhance services. It will continue to work with its partners to improve
the District’s green spaces, from listening to what local users want to adopting new
ideas on their use, layout and management.
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