Information on Loughborough

Standards for Green Spaces

Posted on 16/02/2009

Charnwood Borough Council has set out clear standards on how it plans to manage and run its parks and green spaces in the Green Spaces Operations Output Specification. The Specification includes standards such as the length of grass in a playing field to the quality of furniture in a park.

The Council is also keen to measure and monitor how well those standards are being achieved and it will be asking customers and users, through planned consultations, for regular feedback.

Cllr. Peter Lewis, Charnwood Borough Councils Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: "I am very pleased to introduce this Specification for the Councils operational maintenance of its parks and green spaces. The Councils parks and green spaces are a vital part of the regional green infrastructure. They contribute to the character of our towns, villages and parishes, and offer wonderful opportunities for leisure, sports, festivals, events and play, while at the same time providing a mosaic of habitats for wildlife.

"The attractiveness of our public realm has a direct influence on the success of our campaigns to promote culture and leisure, improve peoples health, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, tackle climate change and attract visitors, new residents and inward investment into our Borough. Its important, therefore, that green spaces are maintained well and were able to actually measure our success in achieving these quality standards and real customer satisfaction.

The Council is currently consulting with a number of interested parties such as football clubs, cricket and bowling clubs, and Friends Groups until 6 March 2009. The Green Spaces Operations Output Specification can be viewed on http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/output_specification_green_spaces_document