Cheltenham Borough - Local Green Spaces - Policy GI1

Policy GI1 of the Cheltenham Plan identifies a number of individual sites across the Borough that have been assessed and designated as Local Green Space.

These sites, which are characterised as “locally-valued open spaces” within the Cheltenham Plan (paragraph 16.15), provides some protection from development without securing the views of local residents.

Over the last 12 months, there have been a number of green spaces which have come to the market as potential development opportunities, which has caused concern for local residents. These are often important areas of amenity and landscaping within established residential estates.

It is proposed that as part of the Strategic & Local Plan review, the Planning Authority should:

1. Undertake a review of the criteria used to determine Local Green Spaces, ensuring such sites are open and available to the public;
2. Review existing designated sites to ensure they continue to meet the criteria set out and are open and accessible;
3. Seek to identify new sites that could come forward for allocation and protection.