A Neighbourhood Plan can protect important green spaces through a Local Green Space (LGS) designation. Once designated as a LGS, the land has the same protection as Green Belt, which means it can’t be used for housing. A green space can only be designated if it meets the criteria in the planning regulations (NPPF) and planning guidance (PPG).
Our assessment of Muggeridge Field shows that it satisfies the criteria for a LGS designation. So, why wasn’t it designated as a LGS in our neighbourhood plan?
One of the NPPF criteria states that a green space must be “demonstrably special to a local community and hold a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquility or richness of its wildlife”.
In February 2020, the Local Planning Authority, Horsham District Council, published an evaluation of Muggeridge Field as part of their assessment of potential development sites in the Horsham District Local Plan [Site Assessment Report, SHELAA Ref: SA060]. According to their evaluation, the public bridleway is part of the Muggeridge Field site. It also said:
- The site is considered tranquil and is an important recreational and wildlife asset for Horsham Town.
- The site is within the land at Chesworth Farm which is used extensively for informal recreation and is an important element of the green infrastructure network around the town.
- The wider landscape is highly sensitive to development, with sloping topography increasing the visual impact of any development on views from the surrounding area.
- The site is within the Chesworth House Medieval Moated Site Archaeological Notification Area.
So, according to the Local Planning Authority’s evaluation, Muggeridge Field has historic significance, recreational value, tranquility and richness of wildlife; these are the attributes that are required to meet the “demonstrably special” criterion.
In June 2020, another evaluation of Muggeridge Field was published. This one was in the Horsham Blueprint Neighbourhood Plan as part of their evaluation of green spaces for LGS designation [Local Green Space Review, Ref F24]. Their evaluation for Muggeridge Field says:
- “This is a field located off Athelstan Way owned by West Sussex County Council who have confirmed that it is bound by stock proof fencing and private land signs. In accordance with the West Sussex PROW mapping system, iMaps, neither permissive paths nor formal public rights of way are located within the site.”
This evaluation omits all of the attributes of the field that are needed to show it meets the “demonstrably special” criterion. It doesn’t even acknowledge the existence of the public bridleway running along the western boundary of the field.
Where did the evaluation of the field in the neighbourhood plan come from? It actually came from the landowners who are trying to develop it – West Sussex County Council. During the consultation on the neighbourhood plan, WSCC said, “The site bound by stock proof fencing and private land signs. In accordance with the West Sussex PROW mapping system, iMaps, neither permissive paths nor formal public rights of way are located within the site.” Compare this comment to the site evaluation in the neighbourhood plan (above).
Local residents also made comments on the neighbourhood plan during the consultation, giving reasons why Muggeridge Field met the criteria for a LGS designation. However, all of their comments were disregarded.
If a green space doesn’t meet the “demonstrably special” criterion, it can be said that it doesn’t meet the criteria for a LGS designation. However, our assessment of Muggeridge Field shows that when all of the attributes of the field are considered, it does meet the “demonstrably special” criterion. Furthermore, our assessment shows that Muggeridge Field meets all of the criteria for designation as a Local Green Space (see our assessment).
The Horsham Blueprint Steering Committee has resolutely defended its decision not to include Muggeridge Field saying, “our own analysis (verified both by our professional advisor and the Independent Examiner) demonstrated that it did not meet the criteria for a local green space [designation]”. No explanation has been given as to why it doesn’t meet the criteria. However, it is obvious that a green space describe as a fenced off area with no public access wouldn’t meet the criteria. Their professional advisor and the Independent Examiner have simply confirmed that a green space described in such a way doesn’t meet the criteria for a LGS designation.
How does Muggeridge Field meet the requirements for LGS designation?
Keep Muggeridge Field Green 