The following areas, as defined on the policies map and Map1 of Annex 3 to the Plan, are designated as local green space:
LGS01 Grange Park;
LGS02 Glencourse/ Burnside;
LGS03 Victoria Allotments, South Lane;
LGS04 Cemetery, Dipe Lane;
LGS05 War memorial and garden, Front Street;
LGS06 Land adjacent to St George’s Church, Front Street;
LGS07 Cricket, squash and archery grounds, Newcastle Road;
LGS08 Boldon Lawn Tennis Club;
LGS09 Mundles Lane Play Area.
Management of any development within these local green spaces must be consistent with national policy on Green Belts. Inappropriate development should not be approved except in very special circumstances. Very special circumstances will not exist unless the potential harm to the local green space, by reason of inappropriateness and other harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations
Green spaces are a vital part of a vibrant and healthy community and are of great importance to the character and identity of a place. They are valued for a wide range of reasons including: visual amenity; historic significance; recreational value; tranquillity; and richness of wildlife. Uncontrolled changes to green spaces can irrevocably alter their special character or intrinsic value.
The NPPF enables neighbourhood plans to designate areas of local green space for special protection, thereby preventing development on these sites other than in very special circumstances. These spaces do not need to be publicly accessible but must be in reasonably close proximity to the community they serve as well as being demonstrably special to them, holding a particular local significance. The designation cannot be applied to an extensive track of land.
The sites listed in policy EB16 and shown on the policies map and Map1 of Annex 3 of the Plan are designated as local green spaces as they meet the criteria set out within national policy and guidance. A local green space and protected open space background paper has been prepared to outline the reasons why the sites are of particular importance to the local community and to explain the process that led to their proposed designation. The designation of the sites will assist with the delivery of plan objectives 1, 2, 3 and 6.