This chapter deals with planning for the public, private and community open spaces, outdoor activities, nature conservation and issues which are critical to the amenity and natural environment of the Borough.3.Int1

The policy context for this chapter of the Plan for the Environment was set by the government's Urban White Paper and Regional Planning Guidance for South East England, and by planning policy guidance on Green Belts, Nature Conservation, and Sport, Open Space & and Recreation (PPG 2, PPG 9, draft PPS 9 and PPG 17). In addition the Greater London Authority's (GLA) London Plan and the Mayor's Biodiversity Strategy outlines the policy directions proposed by the Mayor of London.3.Int2

• Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land and locally important open space, including Green Corridors and other wildlife habitats should be protected. The Greater London Authority's London Plan clearly support networks of strategic open spaces and walking routes, such as 'green chains', and improved access to and connections between, elements throughout the network. The problem of expectations of public access to these corridors needs to be addressed, given that in some instances sections of these open areas are part of private developments.

• New open spaces should be created where there is inadequate provision, and the improvement of existing open spaces should be encouraged.

• The prospect of increased residential densities implies a greater strain on existing open/recreational space, in terms of its capacity and intensification of usage. Higher densities of urban development would will mean that it is even more important to protect and enhance green space in urban areas.

• The south - east region's biodiversity should be maintained, protected and enhanced, with positive actions to achieve the targets set in national and local biodiversity action plans through planning decisions and other measures. The London Plan requires the identification and protection of wildlife sites through the procedures adopted by the Mayor in his Biodiversity Strategy.

• Priority should be given to protecting areas designated for their intrinsic nature conservation value, their landscape quality, or their cultural importance. Important species should be protected and public access to nature promoted. The London Plan will identify and protect important sites for nature conservation,which and grades sites into three categories: - sites of metropolitan, borough and local significance.

• Burial space in London is limited. Provision should be made in a way that respects cultural and religious preferences and environmental and land uses constraints; while at the same time contributing to sustainable land use, avoiding loss of open space and important habitats.            3.Int3

This chapter brings together policies that address these issues and contribute to global sustainability, and the protection, enhancement and management of the range of public and other green spaces and nature conservation interests in the Borough, for the present and into the future.3.Int4

There are nine policies for Green Space and the Natural Environment, and these, together with their justifications, are set out on the subsequent pages of this chapter.

The Council will resist development in MOAs and seek to improve access. No development is likely to be permitted other than limited, small scale and sensitively designed buildings or works, needed to support the management or enjoyment of recreation and leisure facilities. The Council will seek environmental improvements on adjacent or other appropriate land to secure the enhancement of MOAs, consolidate their landscape and visual amenity value and public access and improve recreational facilities and public access.3.1-J2

Positive action will be taken to improve the character of those areas of MOL that have deteriorated. This will include initiating schemes with private sector finance or other appropriate funding, and taking opportunities for the purchase or management of land, for example, from highway works or along the Grand Union Canal.3.1-J4

Green Corridors provide important links, between networks of strategic open spaces providing environmental, recreational and infrastructure facilities. They comprise roads, railways, walking and cycle routes, and corridors for the movement of wildlife, as well as green landmarks in their own right. Consequently, there will be little scope for development in Green Corridors, although limited opportunities within the newly defined A40 Acton Green Corridor in the eastern part of the borough will be assessed in the context of proposed revised Supplementary Guidance, and development adjoining these corridors will be expected to enhance their quality and continuity. The Council will seek to enhance the visual and environmental continuity between open areas, by planting and landscaping schemes and nature conservation management. Where feasible, footpaths and cyclepaths will be incorporated.3.2-J1

The Borough contains long established parks and other open spaces with public access. There is also a range of Community Open Spaces, in the form of playing fields, allotments, cemeteries and other green areas with more limited access to specific user groups. These areas also have a recreation function, make a visual contribution to the street scene, and may have nature conservation value.3.4-J1

The Council recognises the importance of preserving, increasing and enhancing the amount of open space for leisure, education, and recreation and conservation activities, particularly in areas where there is a deficiency. The cCouncil's intention is to designate, protect and where possible enhance public and community open space, promoting positive use and accessibility for all sectors of the population.3.4-J2

Development may need to be resisted, and development of sites adjacent to Open Space will be controlled to make sure that it preserves and enhances its open character. Community Open Space is protected for the benefit of the community. Development will only be permitted if it accords with the strict exceptions laid down in Policy 3.4 and Table 3C, where it is needed for the recreational use of the site, and does not change its essential open character and setting.3.4-J3

Gardens with textured and scented plants for the visually impaired;

Raised plots for elderly or disabled people and space for activity for small children where appropriate;

Access for wheelchairs and pushchairs;

Accessible nature conservation or heritage trails;

Sports activities for both spectators and participants and appropriate sports facilities

The provision of outdoor recreation (including educational playing fields, golf courses and golf driving ranges and open air entertainment) is an essential element of Ealing's social infrastructure for all age groups, and plays a large part in providing facilities and positive activities for young people. Of particular importance is the provision of safe children's play facilities in connection with new developments. Their location will need to maximise the use of non - car transport, as per PPG 13 'Transport' and Council policies.3.5-J1

The Council will resist development of open spaces including club or education playing fields, particularly where the development would remove sports and recreation facilities of a quality or potential which could not easily be replaced within the locality, and cause the loss of strategic or local amenity.3.5-J2

Ancillary facilities to outdoor recreation uses, such as hard/artificial sports pitches, club houses, changing accommodation and car parking, can result in an effective loss of open space. Proposals should also minimise nuisance to nearby residents; avoid significant loss of the open facilities where they are situated; protect any recognised or potential nature value of the land; and secure the most sustainable location available in terms of non - car modes of transport;, in accordance with the criteria in Table 3E below.3.5-J3

Policy 3.5 (part 4) aims to improve the provision of play space within housing areas, and to encourage suitable location and design so that children have an opportunity to play near their homes, without immediately creating conflict with neighbours. Adequate and varied provision is needed, or older children will use what little space is available, confining other children to their homes or to small gardens only big enough for toddler play. Provision for a wide age range enables older siblings to supervise younger ones. Many parts of the Borough are not within easy walking distance of a park. The walk along busy roads, playing unsupervised at some distance from home and the fouling by dogs of public parks can all deter children from using parks, or parents from allowing them to go alone. Supervised play centres are a valuable alternative to play facilities near the home.3.5-J5

Land for burials or other funeral remains is increasingly scarce. The plan seeks to recognise this need, although existing areas for burial within burial land reserves in the Borough are expected to last for 20 years, and accommodate requirements for green burials.3.7-J1

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Local Nature Reserves (LNR)

Sites of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation (SMI)

The borough has many attractive green spaces, ranging from countryside areas such as the Green Belt and Horsenden Hill, to small open spaces and back gardens. It also has a wealth of other features from its agricultural heritage, such as ditches, ponds, hedgerows, meadows and woodlands, which are rich in animal and plant species, all of which positively contribute to the diversity of life.  Some of the habitats are ancient and cannot be recreated, and have therefore been listed as a priority for conservation.3.8-J1

Development will be resisted on defined sites, to assist in retaining bio-diversity, unless it can be clearly shown that it would not harm the nature conservation interests at the site, and that an ecological evaluation has been satisfactorily completed.  Development adjoining sites must also demonstrate no damage to the amenity and nature conservation interest of the site, and the satisfactory completion of an ecological evaluation.3.8-J2

Appreciation of wildlife in cities is growing at a time when natural habitats are threatened by urban development.;Tthe protection and enhancement of wildlife will be promoted where possible in both open land and the built up areas. The Council recognises the importance of conserving and enhancing established habitats through suitable protection and sympathetic management. A number of wildlife sites have been identified in the Borough and the Council will take measures to ensure that any protected species are not disturbed by development. When development is permitted, planning conditions or Section 106 agreements are likely to be imposed to safeguard and minimise disturbance for these species. Protected species are considered to be animals and plant species of community interest, in need of strict protection. Protected species are not listed here but are referred to in paragraph 47 of PPG 9 and listed in Annex G of PPG 9. Priority Species are defined locally, and listed in Ealing's Bio-diversity Action Plan.3.9-J1