NORTH NORFOLK DISTRICT
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION STUDY
CONTENTS
SECTION 1:
SECTION 2:
BRIEF FOR REPORT ON OPEN SPACE AND
RECREATION
1.
Introduction
2.
Background
3.
Objective
4.
Scope
5.
Methodology
6.
Deliverables
7.
Timescale
8.
Contact Details
TENDER ARRANGEMENTS
19 November 2004
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1. INTRODUCTION
As part of the formulation of the ‘Core Strategy’ and ‘Site specific Policies’ for
the North Norfolk Local Development Framework (LDF) the District Council
needs to gather evidence on open space and recreational needs and
opportunities.
We are seeking to appoint a consultant to produce a technical study and
recommend a strategy for incorporation in the Local Development Documents
(LDDs) which is in line with PPG17 requirements, together with advice on
implementation.
Such a study must use appropriate information sources, emulate best practice
and conform to the latest guidance in:
1. identifying local needs;
2. auditing local provision; and
3. setting provision standards and optimising the use developer
contributions.
The study should evaluate the effectiveness of the existing Local Plan policy
and playing space standards, appraise the present provision of recreation and
sports facilities and assess the implications of likely future development and
demographic changes on the open space requirements of the District (up to
2021).
2. BACKGROUND
North Norfolk Local Plan was adopted in April 1998. It includes playing space
targets and Policies relating to: proposed new playing spaces; applications for
new playing spaces; control of development affecting open land areas; and
retention of playing space. It also sets standards for the provision of playing
space in residential developments supported by a system of developer
contributions through the provision of land and/or commuted payments.
Open space and recreational land in the District is provided, owned,
maintained and operated through a variety of organisations and agencies:
parish and town councils; the District Council; Norfolk County Council; the
private and voluntary sectors.
Difficulties have been experienced in implementing the policies and proposals
in the Local Plan. Few of the new playing spaces proposed have been
provided, the standards for playing space provision have been called into
question by both developers and others, as has the efficacy of playing
space/contributions provided through developer contributions.
Demographic changes may well have influenced the nature of local needs
since the preparation of the adopted Local Plan, and both the quality and
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quantity of provision has changed during that period. As well as these
changes in the local context, changes to the methodology for computing the
requisite levels of provision and standards have also been made.
3. OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quantity, quality and accessibility of open space and
recreational land provision in North Norfolk District and to
recommend standards and effective mechanisms in order for
appropriate provision to be secured to meet future needs.
4. SCOPE
The study should include a survey and analysis of playing pitches and other
outdoor facilities. Where appropriate this could include parks and gardens,
natural and semi-natural green spaces, green corridors, outdoor sports
facilities, amenity green space, provision for children and young people,
allotments, community gardens, cemeteries, disused churchyards and other
burial grounds, public rights of way, other land that the public have access to
and even beaches. In addition to this, the survey will also need to assess the
role played by sports centres, school facilities, village halls and community
centres.
5. METHODOLOGY
The study should meet the requirements of PPG17. In doing so, it should
follow the methodology outlined in the companion guide to PPG17. This
should involve the following stages in the process:
i) Identifying Local Needs.
This includes:
•
reviewing the implications of existing strategies;
•
reviewing existing policies and provision standards;
•
for the District’s seven towns and three large villages, engaging with
local communities and stakeholders (through surveys, interviews,
workshops and/or other appropriate methods) to establish local
people's attitudes to existing provision; local expectations and needs
which are currently 'invisible' because there is no current provision;
and establish a qualitative 'vision' for the type of open spaces or sport
and recreation facilities which communities want to see in their areas;
•
for the settlements in the remoter areas of the District, canvassing the
views of the parish councils and recognised local sports clubs etc. (for
example through surveys); and
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•
forecasting future needs, based on anticipated development levels and
demographic changes.
The study needs to answer the following questions relating to existing
policies and mechanisms aimed at securing the provision of adequate
open space and recreational land.
a) Have existing policies and provision standards delivered the full range
of high quality, accessible open spaces and sport and recreation
facilities in the right places to meet local needs?
b) Have existing policies relating to the calculation and use of commuted
sums for long term management and maintenance been effective?
c) If not why not?
Once the needs assessment is complete, a brief summary of the
results should be made available for checking and consultation
with established local interest groups, Parish Councils and adjoining
authorities and national agencies.
ii) Audit Local Provision
This should encompass the following.
•
All existing open spaces and sport and recreation facilities within the
local authority's area, irrespective of ownership and the extent of
public access, and all primary and secondary schools and other
educational institutions (see section 4 above).
•
Open spaces of particular historical or cultural interest and value,
including any scheduled monuments or listed buildings within them
(many parks contain a listed building which adds to their value).
•
Those open spaces or sport and recreation facilities outside the local
authority's area (including those in the Broads Administrative Area) but
likely to be used regularly by its residents.
•
Use of a standard audit form and an explicit survey methodology that
will be amenable to use in subsequent monitoring.
Sources of information include:
•
North Norfolk Local Plan (available on www.northnorfolk.org/planning except
for inset maps for main settlements) and adopted and emerging local
plans of adjacent authorities;
•
Village facilities survey;
•
Asset management plan;
•
Databases of open space and recreational land held by NNDC Leisure
Services and registers held by parish and town councils;
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•
Norfolk County Council Education Department;
•
GIS mapping together with aerial photography;
•
NNDC Leisure Services best value review of open space.
The audit should:
•
be based on the ‘useful area’ of each sports facility
•
take account of qualitative issues such as condition, shape,
accessibility, availability of car parking etc.; and
•
identify the ‘effective catchments’
iii) Set provision standards
The study should:
•
determine quantity standards (including consideration of type of
facility)
•
determine quality standards
•
determine location and accessibility standards
•
determine minimum acceptable size standards
•
determine the cost
•
determine design standards
iv) Apply the provision standards
This should:
•
identify deficiencies in accessibility
•
identify deficiencies in quantity
•
identify deficiencies in quality
•
identify opportunities to utilise resources in a more efficient/ effective
way.
v) Identify strategic options
•
Identify and evaluate strategic options.
•
Identify mechanisms for securing additional provision including an
exploration of options for developer contributions.
•
Draft policy (in consultation with the planning policy section).
•
Consult relevant stakeholders.
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vi) Implementation
Provide guidance as to the most effective means of implementation,
including the best means of securing and utilising developer contributions
in meeting need.
6. DELIVERABLES
The following are required.
• Plans showing the existing provision.
• A report for each settlement or group of settlements, following the
methodology outlined above, analysing provision and shortfalls, with
potential new sites or site areas being suggested, where feasible.
• A report analysing the provision in the District as a whole and a strategy for
future provision. This should include a hierarchy for the location of sports,
recreation and open space facilities.
• The application of these provisional standards. This should take account of
the present situation and the effects of the forecast development and
demographic changes.
• Identification of strategic options for addressing needs/securing provision.
• A realistic yet creative assessment of the potential use of developer
contributions in monetary / land terms (sites, equipment, improvement,
maintenance etc.) in addressing any shortfall in need. This should be linked
to potential future housing provision.
• A hierarchy of the location for sports, recreation and open space facilities in
relation to the various identified catchments.
• The study will inform the preparation of Supplementary Planning
Documents (SPD) and Local Development Documents. The work will also
inform decisions on existing and future development proposals. It is
therefore imperative that the work is transparent, robust and defensible at
examination and public inquiry.
A draft report should be presented to a meeting of officers and members of
the District Council (provisionally on 16th March 2005) and any amendments
recommended should be incorporated into the final report.
The information relating to individual sites should be presented on 1:1250
scale plans or 2,500 as appropriate. Four hard copies of the final report
should be supplied. Data, documentation and maps should also be made
available in digitised format (compatible with systems operated by the
Council).
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7. TIMESCALE
It is anticipated that the initial information gathering and survey work will be
undertaken during December 2004 and January 2005, analysis and
presentation of findings in February 2005, with the draft report being
prepared, revised and updated in March 2005. The final published report,
together with supporting documentation will be expected on 8th April 2005.
8. CONTACT DETAILS
The main officer contact will be Robert Young, Senior Planner in the Council’s
Planning Policy Section (ryoung@north-norfolk.gov.uk).
Additional contact in relation to parks and informal open space provision and
management can be made with Paul Ingham (Countryside and Parks
Manager (pcb@north-norfolk.gov.uk)) and in relation to sports facilities
contact can be made with Paul Belton (Leisure Development Officer
(pcb@north-norfolk.gov.uk)). Both are in the Leisure Services Section of the
Council.
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SECTION 2: TENDER ARRANGEMENTS
Timetable
The timetable for the study is as follows:
19.11.04
07.12.04
10.12.04
25.02.05
16.03.05
08.04.05
Tender document sent to all interested consultants
Submission of tender
Contract awarded
Draft Report submitted
Provisional date for presentation of draft report
Project completed
Requirements
In submitting a proposal for this project, the consultant will be required to:
•
demonstrate that the work detailed in this brief can be completed within the
proposed time-scale or, recognising the limitations of the timetable, otherwise
indicate where they consider departure from this time-scale is necessary;
•
provide details of how the study will be undertaken and provide details of any data
sources that will be used;
•
demonstrate how the work proposed will meet the relevant provisions of PPG17
and the PPG 17 Companion Guide “Assessing Needs and Opportunities”;
•
have regard to Circular 1/97 (Planning Obligations) and proposed revisions of it;
•
provide a draft project plan showing when various milestones of the project will
be completed;
•
provide details of similar projects undertaken (with contacts for reference);
•
submit details of the cost of the work (broken down by tasks set out in Section 5
of the Brief. Also an indication of anticipated disbursements should be included
i.e. travel, subsistence etc.
•
include details of qualifications and experience of the staff who will be working
on the project;
•
demonstrate that they can comply with the full terms and conditions contained
within the brief (Section 1). (Should there be any doubt or obscurity as to the
meaning of any part of the Brief, the consultant should seek clarification before
sending in his tender in order that such obscurity shall be resolved, for should any
misunderstanding arise during the progress of the works the decision of the
Supervising Officer as to the true intent and meaning of any dimension, clause,
word or sentence shall be conclusive and binding.);
•
deliver six copies of the proposal (including one in electronic form) to North
Norfolk District Council at Council Offices, Holt Road Cromer NR27 9EN not
later than 12 noon on Tuesday, 7th December 2004 in a plain sealed envelope
addressed to the Head of Regeneration and Strategic Housing, bearing the word
"TENDER" followed by “Open Space Study" (labels enclosed). Envelopes must
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not show any information whatsoever as to the identity of the person or firm
submitting the Tender.
•
state whether or not they would be willing, if requested by the Council to do so,
to give evidence at planning inquiries/ examinations, either for planning
applications or Local Development Documents to defend the Study. Contractors
can provide evidence of where they have been requested to defend their work in
the past and specify whether they have been successful or not.
Conditions
•
The submission of a proposal does not commit the Council to the use of the
consultant’s services.
•
The Council will withdraw from using the services of the consultant at any time
during the project if it is not satisfied with the standard or quality of work.
•
North Norfolk District Council will retain the right to publish the Study report and
any data / information produced on its behalf and will remain the owner
throughout and after the project. Permission will have to be obtained from the
Council prior to any reproduction of the report or research data.
•
Prior to the date for submission of proposals the Council may clarify, correct
modify or add to the Brief. A copy of each addendum or corrigendum will be
issued to every Tenderer and shall become part of the Brief, receipt of each
addendum or corrigendum shall be promptly acknowledged in writing by
Tenderers.
•
The cost and content of any work outside the specification of this Brief which is
regarded as “additional” or “further” work must first be agreed by both the
Council and the Consultant before it is undertaken.
•
Staged payment will be made on satisfactory completion of key milestones of the
Study.
•
Consultants bidding for the contract can e-mail questions to ryoung@northnorfolk.gov.uk Answers will be provided to all consultants registered as bidding for
the contract.
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