Introduction

The Open Space Assessment (2018) was prepared by Ethos on behalf of Newcastle City Council, to inform the preparation of the Development and Allocations Plan (DAP) (Part 2 of Newcastle's Local Plan document) and to assist the Council's decision-making process with regards to open space.

The Newcastle Open Space Assessment identifies existing provision of open space (quality, quantity and accessibility) by ward and provides an assessment of the current and future requirements for open space across the city, through the setting of robust standards (for quality, accessibility and quantity) which were based on a comprehensive local needs assessment and GIS mapping.

Our role

Open space typologies included parks and recreation grounds, play space (children and youth), amenity green space, natural green space and allotments. Other typologies such as churchyards and cemeteries, education sites, roadside verges and small amenity green spaces were also mapped but not included as part of the development of standards.

The Study was undertaken in accordance with the NPPF and the detailed methodology set out in PPG 17. The key elements of the study were:

1. Stakeholder and community consultation
   ∟ To identify local needs and aspirations - this consisted of a general household survey (postal and online, sent to 3000 households, with 461 surveys completed); a survey of parish councils; local groups and organisations' surveys; and a series of one to one stakeholder interviews.
2. A policy and strategy review (local, regional and national)
   ∟ To set the context and direction for the study.
3. Audit of open space
   ∟ GIS desktop mapping (using existing data, OS, aerial photography and input from the parish council survey and council officers, followed by site visits to assess the quality of sites and take geolocated site photos (and to check boundaries and access where appropriate). From this, provision tables and maps were produced.
4. Development and application of quantity, accessibility and quality standards
   ∟ Clearly justified standards were developed using analysis of the up-to-date open space mapping and consideration of existing local and national standards and benchmarks and evidence gathered from the local needs assessment. These standards where then applied to produce open space supply tables, access maps with open spaces buffered, and quality information. The future requirement for open space was also assessed using the population increase generated from allocated sites.
5. Strategic options, policy and management recommendations
   ∟ This section set out strategic options and policy recommendations for open space within Newcastle.

Results

• The standards for open space were taken forward
  ∟ (Quality, quantity and accessibility)
• Ethos were later commissioned (NCC) to produce a Green infrastructure Strategy
  ∟ Completed in 2022.