Public Open Spaces

APPENDIX 2

Design Guidance & Expectations

Introduction

This Design Guide provides guidance on Warwick District Council's (WDC) expectations for the provision of public open space (POS). It will become evident on reading that it forms guidance only; everything is potentially an exception to the rule and POS should be designed to work in harmony with the immediate environment and demands of the space. WDC does not wish to encourage rigid adherence and 'standardised' offerings. A few elements are however seen as more of a 'must' and these are highlighted in green for easy of identification. Landscape plans are less likely to be approved if not addressed.

Pre-application advice

WDC's Green Space Team is available to provide pre-application advice and landscape architects/ developers are encouraged to discuss ideas and concepts before submitting POS and play area plans.

Overriding design principles

The vision3 for green space in Warwick District is:

By 2026 there will be a well-planned and managed network of integrated, accessible and diverse green space within Warwick district; creating a sustainable environment for the benefit of people, wildlife and our natural heritage.

Designs should reflect this vision; and be designed with the Green Flag Award4 in mind, a national standard used by WDC to assess the quality and accessibility of green space.

POS must be suitable and useable. It is always recommended that green spaces and play provision are designed by a landscape architect and provide bespoke solutions to the development instead of an 'off the shelf' solution. The location and design of play areas should however comply with the Council's adopted Play Area Standard5 (more details under 'play areas').

Well-designed spaces should be:

•  Welcoming: entrances and signage work to draw people into the space
• Accessible: there are no barriers to prevent access to pedestrians, cyclists, and those with disabilities6
• Promoted: to ensure that interpretation and information is available to enhance the experience of those who use the space
• Safe: designed to enhance busyness and informal surveillance from outside the space to deter crime and vandalism
• Easy to navigate: through routes are suitably positioned and routes within the site promote access to all areas

3 WDC's 'Green Space Strategy for Warwick District 2012-2026'

4 More details on the Green Flag Award can be found on-line: http://www.greenflagaward.org.uk/about-us/

5 Adopted by the WDC's Executive meeting in February 2012.

6 The Fieldfare Trust promotes countryside access for disabled people and provides practical guidance in their publication 'A Good Practice Guide to Countryside Access for Disabled People. It is free to download online.

• Places to be active: sport and physical activity are encouraged
• Places to relax: shelter, shade and seating are available for people to enjoy being outdoors
• Well integrated into the surrounding environment
• Sustainable: designed to minimise impact on the natural environment and to adapt to climate change

Connectivity

Green spaces within a development should connect to each other so that the entire development can be traversed seamlessly via green routes by pedestrians and cyclists.

Developments should pay special attention to their permeability of the site and how it connects to any neighbouring developments; whether established, in progress or due to come forward in the future.

This permeability also needs to extend to the wider network of pedestrian routes, cycle routes and green spaces. Residents need to be able to access the extensive areas of POS throughout the district via safe and, where possible, green routes.

Pedestrian and cycle routes throughout the development should be integral to the design and provide sufficient green links to the surrounding area and existing areas of settlement. Any developments in more rural areas should involve discussions with Parish Councils so that they can provide support on the need for safe pedestrian and green links.

Garden Towns, Villages and Suburbs

WDC follows the Garden City approach and developments should follow the key planning and design principals. These are not repeated in this appendix but are supported by this SPD. Details can be found in the Council's publication 'Garden Towns, Villages and Suburbs. A Prospectus for Warwick District Council. May 2012', which is available on-line.

POS quantum

For outline applications, it is accepted that it will not always be feasible to identify the exact location of the POS typologies. However indicative plans and an access and design statement should provide guidance and the required figures (in metres squared).

SLOAP – space left over after planning

This SPD deals with five types of POS (typologies). It excludes SLOAP and other small areas of land such as roadside verges, which are not intended for specific use. They do however provide a visual amenity and should be carefully designed but they fall outside the definition of POS to which this guide applies.

Phased developments

If a site is likely to be developed in phases and, or by more than one developer, a detailed site wide POS design is required for approval at the outset. This is to ensure a well-designed, joined up and cohesive POS offering.

The Section 106 Agreement for the site will require the submission of a POS Scheme [for the whole site] prior to commence and for it to be offered to WDC for adoption. For more details on a POS Scheme, please see Appendix 1.

POS typologies – what you may expect to see

Below is a guide to what elements are anticipated within each of the POS typologies used in this SPD.

Parks and Gardens

Natural and semi-natural POS

Amenity POS

Children/Youth

NB. Where space permits, a neighbourhood play area should include a MUGA, skate park and or BMX track.

Allotments

Design

guidelines

Soft landscaping

General

Species selection

Details will emerge as plans progress but there are several key things that WDC will need to see in the final proposals that should be kept in mind from the outset.

Be sure to provide plenty of pollinator-friendly species in both public and private green spaces and within hedges (e.g. Rhamnus cathartica). This should include both early and late pollinators.

Plants should also be included that provide winter forage for birds.

Plants of local provenance should be UK sourced and grown to help control the spread of disease and native plants should be native to Warwick District, not other parts of the British Isles.

Warwickshire County Council has produced guidelines on the landscape characters of the District and tree and hedge species appropriate to them. These should be observed. Details can be found on Warwickshire County Council's website.

Soils and contours

Establishment

Mulch and mulch mats

Amenity Grass

Amenity grass should include turf weeds in the mix (e.g. small leaf clover, birdsfoot trefoil, dandelions, daisies, self-heal, etc.) - roughly 10% of the total seed mix. Do not use fertilizer or weed killer.

Meadow Grass

Perennial species should be used to provide long term benefit instead of annuals that can provide an initial burst of colour (to potentially coincide with the development being completed) but which are not likely to return. If included, no more than 5% of the seed mix should be annuals.

7 www.warwickshire.gov.uk/landscapeguidelines

Native hedges

Whips should be planted with a cane and rabbit guard and/or by a rabbit proof fence on either side.

Trees

Planting

Selection

Planting mixes and trees should be considered in light of how they change over the years. Longevity and maintenance must be a key consideration and not sacrificed for short-term aesthetic benefits to coincide with the sale of homes. Fifty percent should be native species (see 'specie selection'). The remaining 50% can be non-native but should wherever possible be beneficial to wildlife, for example flowering, fruiting or good for pollinators.

Due to current [2018] health issues, Fraxinus spp and Aseculus spp. are not supported.

Trees proposed next to dwellings should comply with BS-BS 5837:2012 ('Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction. Recommendations'), to help avoid issues of blocking light, damaging fences and giving rise to insurance claims. Oaks in particular should not be planted near to buildings and never closer than their ultimate canopy spread (c.40 metres), further on clay soils.

Access for tree maintenance

For future maintenance, sufficient space needs to be allowed around a tree for a contractor to access it with machinery. This is especially important on boundaries when access may be limited by private, shared driveways, or on the borders of development sites where tall specimens are often used as visual buffers.

8 http://www.tdag.org.uk/species-selection-for-green-infrastructure.html

Trees and light columns

Species planted next to light columns should not affect the column's lux pattern when it reaches its natural mature height and spread.

Raised beds

Raised beds are not encouraged because they are prone to drought and require a higher level of maintenance, particularly in prolonged periods of dry weather.

Hard landscaping

Paths

Widths

Where possible, paths should be wide enough to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists (3 metres or more) and have an open aspect. Even when not a designated cycle route, they will be used as such. Wider paths are acceptable, even welcomed and can be a real design feature. Wide, open sight lines can also make users feel safer and more comfortable.

Drainage

To aid drainage, paths should have a slight camber/cross fall. It is acceptable for paths to drain onto adjoining areas of grass, even if it temporarily ponds because this can enhance an area's wildlife value. Due to maintenance, gullies and French drains are not favoured.

Tarmac

Bituminous (tarmac) paths are the preferred surfacing option. Depending on ground conditions, a typical specification would consist of at least a 20mm surface course, 50mm binder course and

150mm Type 1, compacted sub base, over a permeable geotextile material. If the path is to be used occasionally by vehicles, for example for maintenance, the sub bases should increase to 225mm (minimum); and at access points, turning areas and vehicular drop off areas, where wear will be greater, the surface course should be increased to 50mm (minimum).

Tarmac is the preferred surfacing option and should be edged with concrete kerbs.

Grey Granite

Alternatives to tarmac often become weedy or worn if not regularly maintained. Breedon type surfaces may look ascetically pleasing when first laid but require more regular maintenance to keep on top

of weeds. The surface is often spoiled by surface run-off and wear and tear from cyclists and wildlife, and there are frequently issues with scatter, path 'dipping' and water pooling. The same applies when they are near to watercourses, with paths being washed away more easily. Repairing Breedon type surfaces also tends to be a lower priority when resources are limited as, whilst they end up looking untidy, they remain somewhat functional. That is not to say that there is no place for these types of path, but they need to be assessed according to the demands of the space. If a loose stone finish is favoured, WDC would prefer that Breeden gravel (or similar) is replaced by 3-5mm grey coloured granite, which has been found to be more durable. The compacted granite should be 75mm deep over a 150 mm compacted Type 1 subbase (or 225mm if used by vehicles), over a permeable geotextile material.

Instead of a concrete kerb, stone paths may be edged with tanalised timber with a minimum width of 25 mm.

Flag stones, paviors, setts, cobbles, board walks and resin boundgravel

Other surface materials are not likely to be supported because they are not as sustainable and require a high, costly, level of maintenance.

Root barriers

Vegetation alongside paths

Vegetation should not be planted too close to paths to avoid issues with overgrowth.

No thorny species should be placed within a metre of a path that could be used by cyclists (permitted or otherwise). Amenity and ornamental hedges should be set back from the edge of a footway or path by at least 1 metre and the verge laid down to amenity grass (see diagram). Native hedges should be off-set by at least 5 metres.

Street furniture

Bins (dual use for dog waste and litter)

All public litter bins should be a standardised size, unless the demands of the space override this consideration. 112L capacity is the preferred capacity due to optimisation of collection routes, frequency of collections and standardised liners. Bins are coloured green for POS installations, and black for highway. In rural areas, this style of bin may be less appropriate.

The details below are taken from WDC's current supplier, Wybone, in order to provide an example of what is required. However, the standards are fairly universal and the developer should approach suppliers as they see fit.

• MLB/112 – 112L galvanised steel litter bin cw laser cut base and stainless steel rod hinge
• PC6605 – Powder coated in RAL 6005 (Green)
• LID/S – Lid standard
• AP/ST/4 – 4 x apertures standard litter
• RETRO/AT/GLD – Easyfit ashtray top
• LC/LDW/GLD – Lasered LITTER & DOG WASTE in gold – all sides
• LOGO/V – vinyl logo – to state 'TAKE PRIDE IN WARWICK DISTRICT' finished in gold. Front & back only
• BAND2 – Dual banding gold – 1 to top & 1 to bottom
• LKS/LH – Lock style slam left hand fitted
• L1 – Square galvanised steel liner 2x handled to exterior (H: 634mm. W: 414mm. D: 415mm)

Benches and tables

Stainless steel is preferred over wood for maintenance but if wood is favoured for site aesthetics, it should be FSC approved hardwood.

All benches and tables should be cast into the ground for security. Not bolted in at the base.

Tables and benches should be installed upon hardstanding to prevent ground damage and to allow them to be used all year round. When sited alongside hard surfaced paths, this surface should ideally flare out to provide the base (with rounded edges as opposed to right angled). For benches the hard standing should be able to accommodate a wheelchair, pushchair or similar alongside to avoid blocking the path; and tables designs should be able to accommodate a wheelchair user. Where furniture sits away from hardstanding, then a surface should be used that is appropriate to the setting.

Typically, there should be a bench every 100 metres.

In play areas, benches should have a back and an arm rail, with access provision for the disabled.

Fencing

Fencing should be sturdy and easy to maintain. Bird mouth fencing (a knee high barrier) is a good all round choice. However, fencing, like street furniture, is very dependent upon on the aesthetics of the site and should always be designed with this in mind.

If post and rail fencing is intended to keep the public out of certain areas, such as wildlife sensitive areas, the fence should be 1.3 metres high, with horse netting attached to the side facing the publicly accessible area. The mesh of the horse netting should be 50mm x 100mm. All timber products should be FSC certified.

Fencing of allotments is considered under 'Allotments'.

Signage

Playareas

If and when a play area is transferred to WDC, the play area sign will need to be replaced.

Upright signage is more appropriate for welcome signs or play area information; and the 2018 specification for this type is:

• Size: 595x420mm landscape
• Material: 4mm heavy duty white plastic – needs graffiti-proof coating
• Print: full colour to face
• Finish: supply with fixings to rear and metal posts (long enough for sign to sit at 1.6m high)
• Post colour should be a mid-grey (RAL 9023, 9022 or 9007; whichever is available from your supplier).

This is a sample image of a 2018 sign, noting the site name would need to be changed and the phone number updated to 01926 356128.

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Information or interpretation boards

Where an information or interpretation board is proposed, an angled sign is normally most appropriate. The specifications for this type of sign is:

• Aluminium display tray and frame fixed to 70mm square galvanized steel frame with 50mm cross bar
• Graphics fitted within display frame secured in place with stainless steel tamperproof security screws
• Powder coated in standard RAL colour to finish
• Leading edge 700 mm from ground level, extending 600mm below ground
• Display angled at 30º
• A1 size display: 841mm x 594mm
• Display graphics embedded in 3mm GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic); high quality vandal and UV fade resistant for 5 years
• RAL colour should be a judgement call (approved by WDC) based on the setting and what is available from your suppliers, but a standard black finish is always a very good option (e.g. 9005: Jet Black or 9017: Traffic Black)

When installed the sign should face the item being described so that the reader can see/refer to the feature whilst reading.

Welcome to signs

For larger areas of POS, for example where a user would lose sight of a public road and/or there are a variety of paths to take, a 'welcome to' sign, featuring a site map will help to install user confidence, showing them where they can go, and what they can potentially see or do. The map should clearly show the names of the roads adjoining the site, so that users who wish to, or need to, ring for assistance can advise others where to find them. This is particularly important for visitors less familiar with the general. For a specification, see 'play area signs', observing the important note.

'Welcome to' signs are recommended for larger sites at main entrance points.

Gap, Gate, Stiles

For pedestrian access, a gap (minimum width of 1.2 metres) is the first preference, followed by a BS compliant swing gate (minimum width of 1.2 between hanging and slam posts), then a BS compliant kissing gate.

For gates, shear nuts must be used to deter theft and to stop gates being lifted off their hinges, the top hinge pin should point down, with the bottom hinge pin facing up.

Lighting

Lighting within areas of POS should be sustainable and consider the effects on wildlife and the usability of the space. Innovative solutions such as solar power, motion sensors and low level up-lighting to mark out paths should be considered.