Tools for Delivery and Success

Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation (PPG17) sets out the planning framework for green spaces
and requires that local authorities assess and audit open spaces in their area. Guidance on carrying out the needs and opportunities assessment is set out in the accompanying PPG17 guidance.

There is a range of other, relevant planning policy guidance and statements available from www.communities.gov.uk and www.planningportal.gov.uk
Playing field regulations are set out in the ‘Town and Country Planning (playing fields) (England) Direction 1998’. Guidance is available from Communities and Local Government at www.communities.gov.uk

Generalised Land Use Database (GLUD) is now freely available as small area statistics to all local authorities. This categorises every parcel of land in England into one of nine different land uses including green space. Details are available at www.communities.gov.uk and www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk

Maps of GLUD are available to authorities who have the appropriate Ordnance Survey MasterMap® licence. These are available from the Data and Statistics Infrastructure Division at Communities and Local Government at gis@communities.gsi.gov.uk

GreenSTAT is a system that gives local residents the opportunity to comment on the quality of their open spaces and how well they feel they are being managed and maintained. It allows site managers to compare the results with others up and down the country to give a truly national voice of what we think about our open spaces. See www.greenstat.org.uk

Start with the Park is a good practice guide for everyone involved in the processes of sustainable growth and renewal in England, particularly the creation/improvement of green spaces in housing renewal and growth areas.