Agenda item

To consider potential design principles for parks and open spaces under the control of Mid Devon District Council.

The Group had before it a report * from the Director of Operations regarding Parks and Open Spaces, 10 year Management Plans and Design Principles.  This was the third time that the report had been put before the Group and it now contained amendments that they had requested along with suggestions from the Community Policy Development Group.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The addition of the word ‘replace’ to follow ‘repair’ at 7.2.3;

·         The various options available to provide a barrier, other than fencing, to prevent young children being put at risk in play areas, that could provide a play item for older children, such as boulders or logs;

·         The need to maintain certain parts of the old cemetery and the costs of doing so. It was AGREED that the Grass Cutting Working Group would look into this matter further.

It was RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that subject to the changes identified below the Parks and Open Spaces, 10 year Management Plans and Design Principles be approved:

a)    The Council should look to increase the volume of wild flower, natural grassland meadows and slow growing grasses in its open spaces.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Roach and seconded by Cllr B Wright)

b)    Where shrub beds have become overgrown, a new style of specimen planting will be used to replace traditional shrub bed areas.

(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr Mrs J Roach)

c)    The management of tree stock will be set in the context of the 10 year management plan for that open space. There should be a presumption on the use of native trees as the prominent choice within any landscape design.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

d)    Subject to the addition of the word ‘replace’ at 7.2.3: When considering maintenance of the built environment the Remove – Reduce – Repair approach outlined in paragraphs 7.2.1 to 7.2.4 above should be applied.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Roach and seconded by Cllr D R Coren)

e)    Play England – Making Space for Play should be adopted by Mid Devon District Council as its formal reference for best practice in the design and management of play areas.

(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr R Wright)

f)     Subject to the addition of the wording ‘or a suitable barrier provided’ after the word ‘fence’ Play areas must be fenced where fencing is the most appropriate means to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of children. E.g. to physically separate play areas from roads and/or cycle paths.

(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr Mrs J Roach)

g)    When work is undertaken to remove fences or other items, such as benches, the work must be undertaken in a safe manner ensuring no residual hazards.

(Proposed by Cllr D J Knowles and seconded by Cllr Mrs E Slade)

h)   Headstone runners should be used to define and structure new burial plots.

(Proposed by Cllr Mrs J Roach and seconded by Cllr D J Knowles)

i)     Subject to the removal of the sentence: ‘Environmental areas should be generated in the old sections of the Council’s cemeteries and biodiversity actively promoted in naturalised habitats.’  At all times War Graves shall be tended and maintained with clear access routes made available.

(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr Mrs J Roach)

Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.