1. INTRODUCTION
1.1
It is recognised that outdoor play is vital for the well being of the young and that its provision through a wide range of safe and stimulating play opportunities is an important function of the Council.
1.2
However, trends are changing and play needs to have a wider appeal:
- Traditional equipped playgrounds are appealing to a narrower age range
- By the age of 9 children are looking towards more challenging opportunities than safe equipped play areas can offer
- Bored adolescents can be blamed for anti-social behaviour, vandalism, drug/drink problems in many of the town’s play areas
- Facilities for informal ball games, wheeled sports, ‘chill out’ space and shelters are few despite the constant requests by young people
- Supervised activities and supervised sites are popular and in demand.
- An inclusive approach to children with special needs and those coming from minority groups has to be recognised.
2. EXISTING FACILITIES
2.1 Equipped Play Areas
2.1.1
There are 73 play areas in the Borough. The current strategy dating from 1996 established 3 categories of equipped play area provision (see Appendix 4A) but this has proved too expensive to continue in its present format because of new European safety standards and budgetary pressures.
2.1.2
Although 20 play areas have been completely refurbished, and 2 ball courts and a skate zone built, the remaining play areas have deteriorated and 17 are still without safety surfacing.
2.1.3
The 1996 strategy has not adequately addressed the age group that has developed beyond enjoying traditional play equipment and which requires wider stimuli. The upsurge in the popularity of wheeled sports has also been underestimated.
2.2 Supervised Play
- Fernheath Adventure Play Area – A registered charity which offers supervised facilities for 5 – 14 years and parent and toddler groups
- Moore Avenue – Sure Start - Offers supervised facilities for the under 4s
- Boredom Busters - Offers supervised organised play during the school holidays at various sites for children in the 4 yr 9 mths to 12 year age range. These are heavily oversubscribed despite being run on a fee-paying basis.
2.3 Parks Patrol
The Community Parks & Countryside Officers (CPCOs) work in the parks to promote their safer and better use and provide a contact point with the community.
2.4 Sports
Youth coaching in athletics, football and tennis is available throughout the year at various venues.
3. POLICY PROPOSALS
3.1 Play Provision Recommendation - Equipped Play Areas
3.1.1
To adopt the recommendations for play provision published by the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA). This provides the following benefits:
- Quantifiable measures of provision
- Emphasis on the need for play area accessibility related to time travelled on foot (see Appendix 4B), which provides a good fit with supplementary planning guidance (Section 106) obligations.
- Play equipment requirements per site are fewer than within the current strategy but more sites are required.
3.1.2 Proposed Categories:
i) Local Area for Play (LAP)
A LAP is a small area of open space specifically designed and laid out for young children to play close to where they live. Located within a walking time of 1 minute from home, the LAP provides essential play opportunities for toddlers and young children in locations that are overseen by parents, carers and the local community.
ii) Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP)
A LEAP is a piece of open space that is designated and equipped for children of early school age. It contains 5 types of play equipment and is located within a walking time of 5 minutes from home.
iii) Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Plan (NEAP)
A NEAP is a site that is designated and equipped mainly for older children, but with opportunities for play for younger children too. Located within a walking time of 15 minutes from home, the NEAP is the largest of the 3 types of play space.
A full specification for a LAP, LEAP and NEAP is provided at Appendix 4C to this paper.
3.2 Mini Multi-use Games Areas, Skate Zones, BMX Tracks
3.4.1 Supplementary Planning Guidance - Section 106 Monies .
Bournemouth introduced Supplementary Planning Guidance for the Provision of Open Space and Recreation Facilities in 1999. This SPG is derived from Policy 7.21 of the adopted Bournemouth District Wide Local Plan. This Policy refers to Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act, which enables local planning authorities to enter into legal agreements with planning applicants. In this instance the agreement is entered into with applicants who seek to create new dwellings in order that they contribute to the open space needs of the new development.
Under the Guidance :
- 50.5% of the contributions collected are to be utilised for the development of new playgrounds.
- Where there is a lack of, or no suitable open space to provide a new facility, it may be used for the improvement of existing play areas to take into account the increased need created by the additional dwellings. It may also be allocated towards the purchase of land if this is deemed a solution to addressing known deficiencies.
The NPFA recommendations will apply in the allocation of Section 106 monies in relation to play i.e. the funding shall be spent within a 15 minute walk (600 metre radius) of the development from which it has been sourced.
3.5
A summary of the policy proposals for guiding the nature and location of provision is provided below.
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POLICY STATEMENT L - OUTDOOR PLAY PROVISION FOR BOURNEMOUTH CHILDREN |
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“ The Council recognises that it is a major provider of outdoor play provision in Bournemouth. The Council will endeavour to provide a balanced level of quality play provision to ensure children have accessible opportunities for outdoor play. |
OBJECTIVES |
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L.1 |
To prioritise the provision of outdoor play in areas that are deprived both of open space and formal play areas and have a high density of children. |
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L.2 |
To provide a balanced distribution of formal and informal outdoor play provision for the young based upon the NPFA’s minimum standards for outdoor playing space. |
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L.3 |
To provide all equipped areas with safe surfacing and dog proof fencing. |
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L.4 |
To seek alternative sources of funding such as Section 106 monies and identify potential partners to provide outdoor play provision for Bournemouth. |
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L.5 |
To review the Strategy in 5 years and make the necessary adjustments following identification of changes in the number and distribution of children in the Borough and in the resources available. |
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L.6 |
To consult with local residents on the design and implementation of proposed play areas. |
