Appendix O – Local Green Space Report

POLICY ANP11 LOCAL GREEN SPACE

The outcome of the Neighbourhood Plan Parish Consultation 2024 APPENDIX L identified that a number of areas of the parish have significant value to parishioners. The sites listed below are proposed as Local Green Spaces, all of which have demonstrated they are close to the community they serve, are of special significance to the community, are not extensive tracts of land and are consistent with national planning policy for Local Green Space as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. The landowners of the sites put forward have been consulted and are supportive of their inclusion as Local Green Space.

Albury Village Recreation Ground (size approx. 0.35ha)

Albury Village Recreation Ground lies in the centre of Albury village and is the only recreation ground in the parish. It is entirely surrounded by homes and set away from roads making it a safe and secure area for children to play. Albury Parish Council owns and maintains the Recreation Ground and has provided play equipment for children of all ages including a football pitch. There is also a range of adult outdoor fitness equipment along with benches and tables. The Recreation Ground is highly valued by the community as a recreational space and is situated in the centre of Westonfields where housing density is greatest and gardens tend to be smaller or in the case of the flats are non-existent. It is an essential outdoor recreation space.

View of the Recreation Ground in Weston Fields.

Location map showing Recreation ground.

Albury Sports club and playing field (size approx. 1.68ha)

Albury Sports club and playing field are situated in Albury Heath. The sports club is the only one in the parish and has both football and cricket teams for adults and children and is designated as a Community Facility (APPENDIX D). It also has a small café. The playing field is used for the Albury Parish Produce Show and the Music Festival which are held annually in July and attracts over 500 parishioners and visitors. The show encourages local participation with a large marquee where locally grown produce from people of all ages is judged competitively, there are also categories for art, photography and flower arranging. The show features a variety of stalls including a barbeque, tea and cake stall, Punch and Judy and the ever-popular Terrier race. Businesses support the show and use it to sell their local produce. The music festival features local amateur musicians and is held the following afternoon and early evening. The events are significant fundraisers for local parish amenities.

The first “Tillingbourne Show” was held on 25 July 1857 and has been held continuously on Albury Heath since 1861. It was paused for a few years during World War 2 but returned in 1946. Cricket has been played on the Heath since the 1880’s and possibly for some years before that, while the former cricket pavilion was erected in 1907/8. This was rebuilt with the help of considerable local fundraising in 2020. Both the Produce Show, Music Festival and sports club are an integral and much valued part of parish community life.

View of the new Pavillion at Albury Sports club at Albury Heath (Source: Albury Sports club).

Location map showing Albury Sports club and playing area (Source: Google maps).

Albury village allotments (size approx. 0.2ha)

Albury village allotments are unique as they are the only allotments in the parish and are situated on raised ground at the end of Church Lane and the Warren. Their situation makes them close to Westonfields where household amenity space tends to be smaller. The allotments offer the opportunity for parishioners to grow their own produce and produce compost and is in line with Neighbourhood Plan net zero and biodiversity objectives ANP13 and ANP15, whilst also providing recreational benefits. The allotments are not ideally located as there is no parking nearby for users and the parish council are asked to address this. The retention of and use of the allotments should be encouraged by the parish council.

View of the Allotments at Albury

Track to Church Lane

Location map showing Allotment site in Albury (Source: Google maps).