Open space definition and importance

The city's open spaces and green areas are vitally important to the function and environmental quality of the city and the amenity and wellbeing of its population, visitors and nature. Not only are open and green areas important for health, recreation, wildlife and amenity, they also help to improve the quality of the environment, including in relation to air quality, urban cooling and flood alleviation. For the purposes of the LDP, 'open space' means all open space and ancillary facilities of recreational, amenity or environmental value, including land and water bodies, irrespective of ownership or access. This includes a wide range of types of open space, such as public parks and gardens, outdoor sports facilities, play areas, amenity open space, greenways, community pathways and rights of way, river corridors, ponds and reservoirs, natural and semi-natural spaces, woodlands, allotments and community gardens, cemeteries, designed landscapes and civic spaces. Where there is built development that is ancillary to the use of the open space, this is also included in the LDP definition of open space. This includes, for example, access pathways, car parks, changing facilities, shelters, pavilions and other associated structures.