URL: https://democracy.canterbury.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1618

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Dawkins introduced the report that sought Cabinet’s adoption of the Canterbury district draft Open Space Strategy (pre-Local Plan) and support its implementation for delivery of the key actions and priorities of the strategy.    There were three options in the report     1. To recommend to Cabinet that the Canterbury and district draft Open Space Strategy as set out in Appendix 1 is adopted pre the Local Plan with the strategy reviewed at the time the Local Plan is adopted, and appropriate changes are made as may be required to align with Local Plan.     2. To recommend to Cabinet that the Canterbury and district draft Open Space Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1, is adopted and implemented, prior to the Local Plan but without any further review.     3. To recommend to Cabinet that the Canterbury and district draft Open Space Strategy as set out in Appendix 1 is not adopted and implemented.     The Cabinet discussed the report and the following points were made:    The comments from Overview were welcomed and noted by Cabinet and had been taken into consideration when creating the strategy.   There was a query as to whether play included sport such as beach tennis and it was clarified that sometimes it overlaps but we could also look at it as the provision for children and young people so may be a possibility.   A review was likely to be carried out in around five years to look at trends to open spaces and reprioritise if needed.     It was proposed, seconded and when put to a recorded vote    RESOLVED:     To adopt the Canterbury district draft Open Space Strategy and support its implementation, and to delegate powers to the Director of Place to update the strategy if required post adoption of the local plan.    Record of the voting:  For (7): Councillors Baldock, Dawkins, Castle, Charlotte Cornell, Chris Cornell, Hazelton and Ricketts  Against: None  Abstained: None    Reason for the decision:  To ensure the draft Open Space Strategy is adopted pre–Local Plan to enable its implementation now, with the opportunity to review post adoption of Plan to ensure it remains aligned with the Local Plan. The strategy is a requirement of the National Planning Policy Framework and it supports the council’s Biodiversity Emergency Plan. The strategy will ensure that open space provision keeps pace with development and growing population, and its findings will help direct s106 funding to those sites capable of helping to address shortfalls in quantity and quality provision.   

Date of Decision: June 16, 2025