Plans approved for new designated green space in Little Marlow
Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet has today (2 January) approved plans to create a ‘suitable alternative natural greenspace’ (SANG), on council-owned land at Spade Oak Lake in Little Marlow, as well as restoring the former Gravel Yard at the site.
The site at Spade Oak is already used as a recreation and outdoor space. Today’s decision means it will be enhanced and designated as a new country park. It will include a new circular walking route and two new car parks will be built with safe accessibility for all visitors to the site.
The new country park will be a ‘green oasis’ for local people and will be funded by the developer as part of bringing forward a housing site at Hollands Farm in Bourne End.
Clive Harriss is Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure. He said:
“This is good news for the local community and beyond. This area is already popular with local people who use the existing natural green space and today’s decision significantly builds on this, giving Buckinghamshire another country park and enhancing the facilities already there.”
Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, added:
“We know that alongside any new development provision must be made for green space to benefit the environment and make sure there is enough recreational and natural space for the people who will live in the new homes, and indeed the wider community.
“This decision is the result of more than two years of investigation and research into the best way to proceed to ensure that appropriate mitigation is provided for the much needed new housing development at Hollands Farm and local people get the most out of the council-owned land at Spade Oak Lake.”