Outdoor Playing Space Scheme

Suffolk Coastal operates a scheme whereby local needs for outdoor recreation may be met as planning permission for new housing is issued and implemented. This is an objective of the statutory Local Plan saved policies and it works on a parish by parish basis. The amount of recreation provision sought depends on the number and size of dwellings proposed and is based on the standard of 2.4 hectares of recreational land for every 1,000 residents. This standard is divided into two types of land:

• Children’s playing space - 0.7 hectares per 1,000 population.
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• Sports grounds for adult and youth use - 1.7 hectares per 1,000 population.

The Outdoor Playing Space Scheme provides a means of calculating the amount of playing space required by each planning application for new dwellings. Where this space for children's play and sports grounds cannot be fully provided for on the housing site, and there is a deficiency in that type of space locally, then the scheme provides the means whereby an applicant can provide appropriate provision on land nearby, or make a financial contribution for improvements to be undertaken to facilities in the locality. Contributions from a number of small housing sites will be grouped together to provide or enhance a facility, benefiting the new residents of the parish.

Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) 15 - Outdoor playing space

SPG15 Outdoor playing space, explains how applicants should seek to provide playing space within a housing site, and how it will be assessed by the Council. Where provision of both/either children’s play or/and sports grounds need to be provided separately from the housing site, the SPG explains how this is to be achieved and how any financial contributions may be made.

• SPG 15 - Outdoor playing space (new window PDF 2.75MB)

Outdoor Playing Space Parish Schedule 2011

To accompany the SPG the Council has prepared the Parish Schedule which looks at the existing provision of children’s play and sports grounds on a parish by parish basis and sets out detailed proposals for improvements to such facilities:

• Introduction to the Outdoor Playing Space Parish Schedule 2011 (new window PDF 1.04MB)

Parish Schedule entries for:

• Aldeburgh to Butley (new window PDF 5.56MB)
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• Campsea Ashe to Dunwich (new window PDF 6.85MB)
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• Earl Soham to Grundisburgh (new window PDF 6.84MB)
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• Leiston-cum-Sizewell to Newbourne (new window PDF 6.76MB)
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• Hacheston to Knodishall (new window PDF 4.67MB)
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• Orford to Rushmere St Andrew (new window PDF 4.30MB)
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• Saxmundham to Tunstall (new window PDF 5.69MB)
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• Ubbeston to Yoxford (new window PDF 5.48MB)

It will not usually be realistic for developers of less than 15 residential units to provide playing space on site, but larger housing developments would be expected to begin to make such provision. Developers of small sites (including single dwellings, conversion of redundant farm buildings) will be able to participate in the scheme by making a financial contribution. This is further explained in the SPG, but an indication of the current level of contribution scales is shown in the table below.

The level of contribution likely to be sought is dependent upon the location of the proposal. Contribution levels, listed by parish, for both children’s playing space and sports grounds can be seen below:

• Contribution levels for children’s playing space (new window PDF 11KB)
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• Contribution levels for sports grounds (new window PDF 13KB)

Indicative contribution scales 2012/13

These scales will be applied to all relevant planning applications received on or after 1 April 2012. The figures below represent full contribution levels which will be adjusted proportionately to take account of any appropriate on-site provision.

The contribution scales will be reviewed and revised if necessary on 1 April 2013.