Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Working Group has identified a number of areas that it believes should be protected with a Local Green Space designation in the emerging Congleton Neighbourhood Plan.
The Local Green Space designation is a way to protect green areas or open spaces against development where they are of particular importance to local communities. The Congleton Neighbourhood Plan can only consider spaces within the Congleton Town boundary and not in the adjoining parishes.
The Locality Local Green Space Designation guidance (Locality guidance) states that the following areas should be considered when thinking about areas for designation:
· Informal green spaces · Village Greens · Allotments · Cemeteries · Highway verges · Parks and gardens · Footpaths and cycle routes · Country parks · Rural footpaths and nature trails · Canal towpaths, river courses and meres · Sports pitches, golf courses and bowling greens · Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems and other landscaped areas.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Guidance says that the designation should only be used: · Where the green space is in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves · Where the green area is proven to be special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife · Where the green area concerned is local in character and is not an extensive tract of land.
The questions on the next page list the sites which the group believes are of value and should be a designated green space. We welcome you to give us your views on whether or not you think the space should be designated. There is space to add comments after each site to justify your answer if needed.
If you think other spaces should be considered, please add these at the end of the questionniare.