Support

Representation ID: 43923

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Barratt West Midlands

Agent: Turley Associates

3.64 As expressed throughout these representations, there is a need for policy
requirements to be fully evidence and justified. Barratt therefore support using the most up to date local open space, sport and recreation standards and these should be evidenced accordingly by each local authority and inform further development of the plan.
3.65 Barratt support draft policy ENV8 which sets out the aim for expanding community use of open space, sport and play, and moving towards most ‘up to date’ local open space, sport and recreation standards. Open space evidence identifies deficit around land at Pennwood. As such, the masterplan comprises a large amount of open space including a new woodland park and play facilities.
3.66 Wolverhampton’s most up to date evidence is the Open Space Strategy and Action Plan (2018). This report finds that:
· There is a decrease in the quantity standards of open space provided in Wolverhampton from 4.43ha per 1,000 population in 2012 to 4.38ha per 1,000 population. This is due to the reduction in the total amount of open space and increase in population.
· The ‘Central and South’ area (which land at Pennwood is located within) represents the second most significant decrease in open space – 0.76ha per 1,000 population. This includes a 0.18ha per 1,000 population loss of parks. The

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loss has seen the need for children and young person’s provision not being met in the area.
· In terms of accessibility to district parks, a large proportion of Sedgley to the north of land at Pennwood is not within a 20 minute walk of a district park.
· The overall summary for the ‘Central and South’ area is that “there are low levels of open space provision” (page 25) and that “there is little potential to create new open space through development”.
3.67 Land at Pennwood’s significant benefit of public open space representing more than 50% of the proposals, including a woodland park and play areas will make a substantial contribution to the deficits identified in Wolverhampton’s most up to date open space, sport and recreation evidence.