Testun llawn:
Social Farms & Gardens generally supports this policy. However, this wording needs refinement -
Areas of open space will nearly always be required to be provided on-site as part of new development proposals. Where it is not possible to make provision on-site, clear justification will need to be provided and furthermore, appropriate off-site (geographically, as close as possible) provision will then be preferred, and lastly financial contributions will be accepted (in this order of preference) for improvements to existing facilities, in lieu of on-site play, outdoor sports provision or amenity greenspace.
The wording should ask for clear justification of why it is not possible (delete the word practical) to make on site provision. The hierarchy of preference for on site provision needs to be emphasised. Also, the off-site provision should be as close to the development as possible.
Furthermore -
This wording needs refinement -
For other open spaces, which may include outdoor sports provision, formal and informal greenspace and community growing areas, a combined target is identified based on the FIT Standards for other types of open space. On site provision should be design and return led rather than standards led and the type of provision to meet this target must respond to the local context and address identified local needs for specific types of open space, having regard to the findings of the Open Space Background Paper. Different types of community growing spaces commensurate to the size of development will be encouraged this is because of their proven high, per sq m ‘return on investment’ rates and array of benefits that can be delivered through such provision.
We would like to see more weight given to the provision of community food growing spaces. This is because community growing spaces offer large per square metre, returns on investment and these returns need to be recognised in land use policy terms.
Community gardens can help foster broader community cohesion* cross-cultural understanding** as well as reduce crime***and a 2011 social return on investment study showed that for every £1 invested in community gardens, £3.56 of social value was returned****
*. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-019-71083?utm_source=getftr&utm_medium=getftr&utm_campaign=getftr_pilot
**. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-10-4113-6_6
***. https://www.neefusa.org/story/health-and-environment/how-greening-communities-can-reduce-violence-and-promote-health
****. https://socialvalueuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GORGIE-CITY-FARM-SROI-As
