Open space, sport and community facilities

December 2018

This document sets out the evidence which underpinned the Urban Open Land (UOL) designations in the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan 2005. It maps each of the UOLs designated in the District Plan 2005 and sets out the description relating to them as assessed by the Council. The majority of UOLs were assessed through the Council's Open Space Survey January 2001. This survey was subject to revisions in November 2001 and December 2002. The document identifies where a UOL was added following production of the initial survey in January 2001 or was amended through the subsequent revisions to that survey.

The Urban Open Land (UOL) master sheet provides a chronological record for each individual UOL that the Council has surveyed, designated or proposed for designation.

The Urban Open Land New and Amended Sites document forms part of the evidence base for the Local Plan.  It sets out new open spaces proposed to be designated in the Local Plan as well as a range of proposed amendments to existing designated open spaces.

Since consultation on the Emerging Core Strategy closed in January 2013, the council has received further submissions from Sport England and the Light Aircraft Association on the importance of Panshanger Airfield as a facility for air sports.

The Community Facilities Study analyses the provision of community facilities in Welwyn Hatfield against a set of standards derived from best practice. Types of facilities covered by the study include community centres, GP surgeries, leisure centres, libraries, schools and post offices.

March 2011

The Hertfordshire Strategic Highlights:Green Infrastructure Plan (Incorporating the Green Arc area which extends into Essex) was commissioned as part of the county-wide approach to develop green infrastructure planning across the County. This was a two tier approach with Strategic Highlights Green Infrastructure Plans (SHiPS) for Hertfordshire/the Green Arc and 'local level' district Green Infrastructure Plans for seven Hertfordshire districts, including Welwyn Hatfield. Existing GI plans were taken into account to ensure links across both borough district and county boundaries, with this strategic GI Plan also considering existing GI work in Hertfordshire.

The Welwyn Hatfield Green Infrastructure Plan was commissioned as part of a county wide approach to green infrastructure planning in Hertfordshire. The Welwyn Hatfield Borough Green Infrastructure Plan has been developed in parallel with the strategic county wide plan and with those for Watford, Dacorum, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, St Albans and East Herts. Account has also been taken of existing green infrastructure plans to ensure links across boundaries.

The Welwyn Hatfield Sports Facilities Study has reviewed the majority of indoor and outdoor sports facilities within the borough. The study lists a range of conclusions which are a result of the needs analysis carried out over the past year and will help form the preparation of an action plan and strategy.