Parks And Open Spaces

Current Strategy

The Parks and Open Spaces Strategy was written in 1998. An Action Plan was developed in 1999 and its implementation has been regularly reviewed. The purpose of the Strategy is to provide an overview of the quality and quantity of open space managed by the Council; to identify areas for development and improvement; and to establish a clear direction for the management of open spaces in the future.

Current Provision

The total area of open space in the Borough is c.18 hectares. This includes a variety of landscapes including the coastal areas, the countryside, woodlands, recreation grounds, nature reserves, informal open space in urban areas, local parks, verges and roundabouts, equipped play areas, cemeteries and allotments.

Hampshire County Council's Structure Plan includes minimum requirements for open space provision (based on guidance from the National Playing Fields Association).

The Fareham Local Borough Plan Review sets out the Council's minimum requirements for open space provision in residential development. This is 2.8 hectares per 1000 population.

These standards are considered to be the minimum acceptable to the Borough Council and wherever possible the Council encourages a higher standard of provision to improve the range and accessibility of open space. On the basis of these standards the overall requirement would be 290 hectares as against current provision of 318 hectares. However there are shortfalls in some districts as well as a shortfall of 52 hectares of sports pitches and 27 hectares of children's informal play space.

Full details of the major parks, open spaces, woodland, foreshore areas and allotments in Fareham are provided at Appendix B.

Regular liaison takes place with Gosport Borough Council on a number of issues where borough boundaries have little relevance e.g. development of countryside areas and allotments.

Fareham recognises the value and popularity of traditional leisure pursuits such as walking. It actively supports the Hampshire County Council Rights of Way network in the Borough, particularly the Solent Way, one of Hampshire's long distance trails.

Public Consultation

The public consultation carried out at the time of the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy in 1998 identified particular issues of concern including the need for more play areas, paths and cycleways. Residents also identified the need to develop woodland areas, plant more trees and increase the number of floral displays across the Borough.

A survey undertaken in 1999 asked residents how important different leisure and cultural provision was to them. 70% identified parks and woodland areas as very important and a further 22% as fairly important.

A further residents' survey in 2000 identified that 65% of local residents were either fairly satisfied or very satisfied with parks, open spaces and play areas.

The most recent survey of residents' opinion was in September 2001. The main findings are summarised below:-

Parks and open spaces were widely used, particularly by younger residents and those with children. Walking tended to be the most popular activity followed by visits to play areas and taking shortcuts to another location such as shops.
Residents were generally satisfied with the way in which their local open spaces were cared for although some would welcome more litter bins and seats. There were some residents who were dissatisfied with aspects such as general cleanliness and the condition of paths. Graffiti and vandalism was thought to be a problem in parks in some areas.
Overall two thirds were happy with the amount of open space in their area.
Reducing vandalism, providing more interesting features together with more information on the open spaces in their area might all have a positive effect on usage of these areas.
Around half of the residents were familiar with the "Fareham in Bloom" initiative but few had actually taken part. However they generally agreed that it was worthwhile. Residents were almost universal in their agreement that well maintained open spaces were important to them and they were also very appreciative of the floral displays and hanging baskets around the Borough. They would welcome more trees and there was an interest in certain areas reverting to a more natural habitat. Few would agree that the money spent on floral displays should be spent elsewhere.
If funds became available for improvements, six in ten would like to see park keepers reinstated, half would like more seats and litter/dog bins. There was also support for more lighting/other security measures in parks and more trees and shrubs being planted (see Table 1 below).
The more important aspects of the parks, open spaces and recreational grounds service were thought to be the provision of parks and open spaces at current levels, the foreshore, woodland areas and nature conservation.
Only 2% of respondents felt that private companies should have sole responsibility for the maintenance of parks, open spaces and recreation grounds.

Table 1
If funds became available, what improvements would you like to see in open spaces?

% - Improvement

59 - Re-instatement of Park Keepers

49 - Seats and litter/dog bins

46 - Conservation/wildlife areas

45 - More lighting/security measures in parks

43 - More tree and shrub planting

43 - Higher maintenance standards

30 - Children's play facilities

25 - More troughs, baskets and floral displays

25 - Improved path networks

20 - Community based activities