6.7

y. Generally speaking, developments over 20 houses would have to provide children's play space on-site as well as an appropriate level of amenity open space on-site.

How much will it cost?

A.6.7 The cost of providing the public open space will be calculated as a percentage figure of the overall cost of providing open space within the development. For example, where no public open space is being provided on site that would be required by the standards, the developer will be required to provide 100% of the cost of the provision elsewhere. Where the off site provision is addressing a shortfall in the overall provision on site, in that areas of open space are to be included within the development, but the full requirement of the standards cannot be accommodated, the applicant will be required to provide the remaining percentage cost. The payment of commuted sums will be the subject of legal agreements under Section 13 of the 1999 Act.

How will funds generated by commuted sums be used?

A.6.8 Funds can be used to lay out new open space or to improve existing open space. Money generated from commuted sums will be held in an interest earning account and will be used in the same Parish as the development. Exceptions to this may occur where a development borders a neighbouring authority or where open space serves the needs of a wider area e.g. sports pitches.

Design of public open space

A.6.9 Both formal and informal open space should be designed as an integral part of the development so that it offers recreational value and visual relief and in some cases may provide the main focal point of the development. There is often local opposition to the provision of children's play spaces especially within new residential developments. Therefore it is essential that facilities be designed as part of a comprehensive approach to estate layout, which includes consideration of good neighbourliness, the need for adequate privacy and amenity for the occupiers of dwellings, road traffic and pedestrian activity and community safety. The following are also important considerations in the siting and layout of public open space which should:-

• be defensible but not sited to cause a nuisance to dwellings;
• easily maintainable;
• be of sufficient size to be usable;
• build upon existing linkages to provide green corridors;
• incorporate existing landscape features;
• provide appropriate children's play equipment in areas from which dogs are excluded, preferably by the use of fencing and dog proof grids, and
• be of a design and layout to enable future adoption and maintenance by the Local Authority.

APPENDIX 7

PARKING STANDARDS

Residential

A.7.1 High levels of car ownership have led to an increase in the level of parking expected for new residential development, and outside of town centre locations these standards should not be relaxed. New-built residential development should be provided with two parking spaces per dwelling, at least one of which should be within the curtilage of the dwelling and behind the front of the dwelling, although the amount and location of parking will vary in respect of development such as terracing, apartments, and sheltered housing. In the case of town centre and previously developed sites, the Department will consider reducing this requirement having regard to:

1. the location of the housing relative to public transport, employment, and public amenities;
2. the size of the dwelling;
3. any restriction on the nature of the occupancy (such as sheltered housing); and
4. the impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

Where new dwellings are created by the conversion of existing buildings, parking space should be formed by the clearance of outbuildings and low-grade annexes or "outlets" if it is reasonable and practicable so to do; however, in general, the need to find a use for redundant buildings which are in sound condition will outweigh the drawback of any shortfall in parking provision.

Offices

A.7.2 The current car parking standard associated with town-centre office development is one space per 50 sq.m. of nett office floor space, preferably provided on-site, but otherwise provided conveniently close to the site. Where office space is permitted outside of town centres, the current parking standard is one space per 15 sq.m. of nett office floor space.

A.7.2.1 Having regard to the environmental objectives of this Plan, the Department is mindful that it may be appropriate at some time in the future to re-consider these standards. In the formulation of an Integrated Transport Strategy (Objective 3.5(a)), it will be appropriate to consider a variety of options, including the possibility of restricting the provision of parking spaces with new town centre office developments. If accompanied by rigorous on-street parking controls and more extensive public transport, such an approach would have environmental benefits, including the evolution of a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape. There would remain, how