Parks and Open Spaces
Beacon Council 2002-2003
Improving Urban Green Spaces
Our vision and strategy
The DTLR's Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils said "Bexley have a clear
and simple strategy that demonstrates leadership support and a clear vision of
the role and benefits of green spaces, and how they could be improved. The vision
is supported and shared by users of green spaces, and is backed up with well-thought-out
programmes, initiatives, projects and action. The park strategy has been in place
for 3 years and is linked to other strategies including Local Agenda 21.
The strategic context for our approach to urban green spaces can be found
in our community plan which outlines our corporate commitment under the theme "Caring
for our Environment".
The Council's vision for urban green spaces is explained in detail in our Parks
Strategy which built on our tradition of excellent green spaces by setting
out clear and comprehensive objectives to secure urban green space for the future,
including implementation within agreed costs and timescales.
Policy development and service delivery are also influenced by other Council
strategies and plans such as the Unitary
Development Plan, Local Agenda 21
Strategy, Trees and Woodlands Strategy, the Community
Safety Strategy and the Regeneration Strategy.
The Parks Strategy compliments the Council's Biodiversity
Action Plan and will contribute to the preparation of the Cultural Strategy.
The Council's adopted Unitary Development Plan (UDP) reflects Government guidance
and regional guidance in the form of the Mayor for London's emerging Spatial
Development Strategy "Towards A London Plan". The Bexley UDP includes
a comprehensive policy framework to protect and enhance the borough's open spaces.
There is a general presumption against inappropriate development in Metropolitan
Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land while other policies seek to protect more
local designations such as Urban Open Spaces, education land and allotment. Open
spaces in the Borough form part of the South East London Green Chain, the first
to be established in London, which is supported in "Towards a London Plan".
There are additional policies to ensure that areas deficient in access to public
open space are improved through the development process.
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