EIR - Dulwich Hamlet FC [May 2021]

Background to this FOI request 

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has provided a stage 1 response to the planning application below: 

Planning report GLA/0083c/01   11 November 2019 

Dulwich Hamlet FC, Champion Hill Stadium in the London Borough of Southwark planning application no.19/AP/1867 

Open space 

The GLA stage 1 response in relation to open space is cited in paragraphs 18 to 20 below: 

18 The existing pitch is designated locally as ‘Other Open Space’. Paragraph 74 of the NPPF states that existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, should not be built on unless the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location. London 

Plan Policy 7.18 states that the loss of protected open spaces must be resisted unless equivalent or better quality provision is made within the local catchment area. It also states that replacement of one type of open space with another is unacceptable unless an up-to-date needs assessment shows that this would be appropriate. Draft London Plan Policy G4 states local green and open space should be protected. 

19 The applicant proposes high quality replacement open space in the form of an east-west  ‘green link’, as well as new areas of green open space between the proposed residential blocks. The ‘green link’ would provide an enhanced connection between St Francis’s Park and Green Dale, and comprises play spaces; an outdoor gym; two semi-private residential gardens; six roof terraces; and, there will also be the provision of a new MUGA in the northern part of the site. The public open spaces through the site will total 9,509 sq.m., 1,709 sq.m. of which will be the new green link.  

Overall, this equates to a net gain of 1,850 sq.m. of public open space. Having considered the proposed reconfiguration of open space in both quantitative and qualitative terms, GLA officers are satisfied that the proposals accord with London Plan Policy 7.18 and draft London Plan Policy G4. 

20 The existing pitch totals 7,659sq.m., this is currently only available to users of the football club. This application proposes 9,509 sq.m. of public open space. This is equivalent to a net increase of 1,850 sq.m. of new publicly open space. 

A loss of open space 

The London Borough of Southwark New Southwark Plan Site Allocations Methodology Report (July, 2020), in relation to the development, states the net loss of Open space provision (sqm) within site NSP37 is stated to be 4,782 m2. 

Therefore, in summary, the background to this FOI concerns the difference between the GLA’s statement that the development provides an equivalent of 1,850 sq.m. of new publicly open space and the New Southwark Plan Site Allocations Methodology Report that states there is a loss of 4782 sq.m. of open space provision. 

There is therefore a difference of 6,632 sq.m. between the GLA’s statement and Southwark Council’s statement with regard to open space. 

Information request – 1 

Please send me: 

The information that was provided to the GLA that informed the statement that there is an equivalent to a net increase of 1,850 sq.m. of new publicly open space.  

Information request – 2 

The GLA stage 1 response provides the ‘green link’ would provide an enhanced connection between St Francis’s Park and Green Dale as well as new areas of green open space between the proposed residential blocks and would provide 1709 sq.m. of open space. Further, the GLA stage 1 response provides, ‘The public open spaces through the site will total 9,509 sq.m.’. The GLA stage 1 response also provides, 'Overall, this equates to a net gain of 1,850 sq.m. of public open space. Having considered the proposed reconfiguration of open space in both quantitative and qualitative terms, GLA officers are satisfied that the proposals accord with London Plan Policy 7.18 and draft London Plan Policy G4.' 

Please send me: 

If information request – 1 above, does not provide the following, a breakdown of sqm for each of the following areas cited in paragraph 19 as below and any other area not cited that makes up the stated 9,509 sq.m. of public open space: 

• Play spaces  
• Outdoor gym 
• Two semi-private residential gardens 
• Six roof terraces 
• The proposed MUGA in the northern part of the site.  

Information request – 3 

Please send me: 

Who provided the information that has informed the GLA stage 1 response? 

Information request – 4 

Please send me: 

The policy, procedures or process the GLA has in order to validate a planning application claim with regard to open space. 

Information request – 5 

The GLA stage 1 response states the development is located in East Dulwich. 

Please send me: 

Confirmation that when the GLA provided the GLA stage 1 response it was aware that the development is located in the Southwark Council sub-area of ‘Camberwell’ for open space purposes? 

Information request – 6 

Please send me: 

Confirmation that when the GLA provided the GLA stage 1 response it was aware that the Southwark Council sub-area of ‘Camberwell’ is a sub-area deficient in quantity of open space.