Green Spaces Consultation 2011
Early in 2011, the county council asked the public to say which local green spaces they particularly valued and why. This was in response to Government proposals to create a new designation, to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities.
Areas were identified by communities using an online interactive map-based application and at special sessions run at the 27 Community Forums.
Over 2,000 people selected more than 3,000 areas. The highest responses covered areas proposed for housing, such as Whitwick Green, Outwoods, Lubbesthorpe and Brookfield Farm.
The most common land categories people wanted to protect were country parks and woodland; community green spaces, such as village greens; playing fields; open countryside; derelict land; and private land, such as golf courses.
Why were we consulting on green spaces?
The council launched the idea because the Government’s localism policy aims to give local communities a greater say on planning decisions affecting their areas. Ministers are also proposing to create a new “valued green spaces” designation. Understanding which green spaces local people particularly value will help local communities and councils decide where new homes and other developments needed by local communities are best located.
What have we done with the information?
The information gained up to the closing date of 15th April 2011 has been used to produce:
- a County-wide Analysis report
- an interactive online analysis tool for use by communities
- a series of 27 Community Forum reports
A key aim of the green spaces consultation was to give the data back to local people to enable them to use the findings themselves, including to produce neighbourhood plans.
The interactive online analysis tool allows communities to view all the green spaces identified from the original online consultation and the responses from the 27 Community Form meetings, including the comments and questionnaire information.
The interactive online analysis tool allows users to interrogate the data in a number of ways, including:
- Search by key word - this searches all the area names and comments text and highlights the related green spaces
- Pan and zoom and mouseover an area to see all the green spaces recorded - clicking on an area allows respondents to scroll through all the comments
The results will:
- form part of the evidence base for preparation of community-led plans, including the new neighbourhood development plans proposed by the Government;
- inform responses to consultation on emerging national policies, including the expected policy around a new designation for ‘locally important green space’ and district local development frameworks;
- inform a potential countywide policy document on green spaces;
- Inform programmes aimed at enhancing and improving access to and quality of green spaces for people and wildlife.
Can I still submit information?
The formal consultation period ended 15th April 2011, However, it is still possible to submit your views.
Although the information provided will be too late to be incorporated into the main analysis, we will continue to monitor the web-site and use the information as appropriate.
There are two ways to make your views known:
- Make your comments using our interactive, online map of the county. Just enter a postcode or click on the map to find an area of interest, zoom in and select a particular place, then let us know what it is you value about that green space. You can tell us about as many areas as you want - just repeat the process.
- Submit written comments to greenspaces@leics.gov.uk or to Sarah McCartney or Sophie Davies, Communities & Places Team, Leicestershire County Council, Glenfield, LE3 8RA stating the name (if known) and location of the green space, why it is valued, what are its most important characteristics, and whether it could be further improved or enhanced.
This consultation covers the County area of Leicestershire only; you will be able to identify areas that cross the County / City boundary, but not areas completely within the City.
For any further information please email greenspaces@leics.gov.uk
Page Last Updated: 21 December 2011
