Our policies, plans and strategies - Open Spaces Strategy 2021

Record details

About this page

The Environment Partnership (TEP) was commissioned by Harborough District Council in May 2020 to produce an updated Open Spaces Strategy for the District.

The Open Space Strategy has been completed using the methodology as set out below:

  • Define the context, purpose, and scope of the Strategy (Chapter 2),
  • Review of national and local policy (Chapter 3),
  • Identification and mapping of open spaces per typology (Chapter 4),
  • Identify local needs including consultation with key stakeholders, the community, and developers (Chapter 5),
  • Assess the quantity, quality, and accessibility of each open space (Chapter 6),
  • Develop local standards for open space provision (Chapter 7),
  • Review of current and future provision of each sub-area (Chapter 8), and
  • Provide recommendations and strategy based on the findings of the Open Spaces Strategy (Chapter 9).

The Strategy has been prepared after consultation with residents, Parish Council, officers, other stakeholders, and developers. Further consultation was undertaken with 4 resident groups to consider amongst other issues the adoption of open space from developers by the Council.

Detailed audits have been undertaken on 299 sites selected using agreed criteria in accordance with Green Flag audit guidelines. All other sites received a partial audit to confirm use and site boundaries.

The Strategy has been written to reflect not only the importance placed on mitigating climate change and providing space for biodiversity but also to reflect the changing economic climate in which the Council and its partners operate and the requirement to reduce costs where possible.

The Strategy considers the provision and use of 8 typologies of open space but does not consider outdoor sport as this is dealt with by the Playing Pitch Strategy. Additionally, the provision of cemetery and burial grounds is considered in detail as part of the Cemetery and Burial Ground Strategy for the capacity of cemeteries, but the typology is included here for accessibility, quality, value, and amount of provision.

The Council has adopted a Protocol for the Delivery of New Public Open Space in 2023.

Read the Protocol for Delivery of New Public Open Space
Document