Open Space Assessment - Study Review 2021

Milton Keynes City Council is currently finalising the Open Space Assessment. The assessment will review and update the findings of the Milton Keynes Open Space Assessment (2018) which informed formulation of policies in the Plan:MK and creation of Appendix C of the Plan. Open spaces and recreation areas form an important part of the green infrastructure.

The scope of the proposed study on Open Space Assessment is to provide a robust assessment of a current and future need for the open spaces within the borough of Milton Keynes and a policy recommendation for future local plan policies around the protection of existing open spaces, possible change of use of open spaces areas and provision of open space in new developments.

The study will assess publicly accessible open spaces over 0.2 ha in size, excluding playing fields and private open spaces (with the exception of those where public access is allowed).

The new Open Space Assessment will provide the council with up-to-date information on open space location, coverage and provision. The study reviews open space typologies to follow best practice and latest guidance.

Stakeholder engagement

Public survey

As part of the stakeholder engagement forming part of the Open Space Assessment study, invited members of the public to respond to a survey on open spaces within the borough of Milton Keynes.

The survey looked for views on how the public uses the open spaces and views on quality, quantity and accessibility of open spaces within the borough of Milton Keynes. Members of the public were invited to provide commentary in regards to specific open spaces that they visit in the borough of Milton Keynes.

Members of the public were invited to respond to a public survey on Open Spaces (18th October 2021 till 29th October 2021) within the administrative area of Milton Keynes. The survey consisted of two parts:

•             Part 1- sought views on how the public uses the open spaces and their views on quality, quantity and accessibility of open spaces within Milton Keynes. Members of the public were invited to provide commentary on specific open spaces that they visit in the borough of Milton Keynes in addition to their general views on the quality, quantity and  accessibility of open spaces in the Borough.

•             Part 2- respondents could provide comments regarding the specific sites that they visit.

Part 1 - General views on the amount, quality and accessibility of open spaces within Milton Keynes

Part 2 - Site specific comments.

Parish and Town Councils survey

As part of the stakeholder engagement (18th October 2021 till  13th December 2021) forming part of the Open Space Assessment study, we invited key stakeholders  to make any general comments about open spaces within the borough of Milton Keynes with a particular consideration of their quality, quantity and accessibility.