'It's a simple request for a minor change to policy which would empower nature recovery, the community and support proper river management which North Somerset should support given its own green policies.' - Cllr Smith
Firstly, there are many names for Penny Field commonly, these are Land off Churchill Avenue and Coleridge Field.
Additionally, this has been a long campaign as the timeline suggests, this is intended to be a detailed summary.
Our aim is to make Penny Field a Local Green Space (LGS) which means that:
"Planning permission will not be granted except in very special circumstances for development which adversely affects a designated Local Green Space....particularly regarding the characteristics underpinning its designation..."
In layman's terms, this is a formal and broad protection of the green space.
To do this, North Somerset's Local Plan 2040 must be amended.
Attached at the bottom of this article is a letter written to the then Executive Councillors for Planning Policy and Climate/Nature.
This sets out the full policy background and demonstrates that making Penny Field a LGS is consistent and desirable under North Somerset Council's own Policies.
North Somerset should protect Penny Field and: BACK: the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. ENHANCE: the Green Infrastructure Strategy. MAINTAIN: the Land Yeo with community stewardship from a protected Penny Field. LISTEN: to the community and Clevedon Town Council.
LOCAL GREEN SPACE (LGS)
North Somerset Council believes a site is a Local Green Space IF it meets criteria around beauty, historical significance, recreational value, tranquillity, wildlife, local scale.
Beauty:
- Penny Field is a small green open area with significant blue assets and some trees.
- In keeping with many LGS sites.
Historical Significance:
- It's uncertain if there is a formal HER background.
- Plenty of designated LGS have not got an HER record.
Recreational Value:
- The site is frequently used for informal recreation of all types, doesn't have existing or formal sports facilities or other uses.
- Plenty of designated LGS only have informal recreation.
Tranquillity:
- The site is an urban green which retains serenity.
Richness of Wildlife:
- According to the Statement of Biodiversity under the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Toolkit, priority species are present (Swift, House Sparrow, Hedgehog).
- Priority site under LNRS.
- Situated on a Green Infrastructure Corridor.
Local in Character:
- Penny Field has the Land Yeo bordering the top and the other boundaries are clearly defined by the built environment.
Equalities assessments demonstrate that low-income households are the worst affected by the removal of green space. This means that the quality of life for many nearby residents could fall.
There is an obvious and apparent community history around this site to compensate for any gaps in the HER.
Existing and approved Local Green Spaces (LGS):
- Protecting the entirety of Penny Field means that four of six LGS requirements are met (top 26%).
- Protecting half of the site places it alongside 47% of LGS sites with three out of six requirements met.
- 18% of sites are ‘clones’ of Penny Field with grass, informal recreation and some trees. Notably, not necessarily having a river or blue asset.
Please see a recent history of the site relating to development and protections. It’s been a long road since Councillor Smith’s pledge in the elections of 2023 ‘to protect Penny Field’.
