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Open space, sport and recreation

Open space, sport and recreational provision can make a major contribution to the quality of life of people who live, work and visit Bury. Government policy is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework which was published in December 2024.

The National Planning Policy Framework requires robust and up-to-date assessments of the needs for open space, sport and recreation facilities to help identify specific needs and determine what open space, sport and recreational provision is required.

Open Space assessment 2025

To inform the new Local Plan and future investment decisions as part of an up-to-date strategy for public open spaces, we have commissioned an updated review of Bury’s open spaces.

We are asking residents, businesses and interested parties for their opinions on public open space in the Borough.

Public open space provides opportunities for sport and recreation, socialising, tourism and wildlife, making an important contribution to the health and wellbeing of communities, ecosystems and economies. Bury has a variety of public open spaces from Diggle Lane allotments, to small local play areas and the larger parks such as Burrs Country Park.

We want to get your views on the following types of open space:

  • Local park or public garden: Often well designed sites of high quality with opportunities for informal recreation and community events
  • Country park: Area of countryside for public recreation (e.g., Burrs Country Park)
  • Nature reserve, common or woodland: Areas intended for wildlife conservation, biodiversity and environmental education and awareness
  • Play area for young children: Areas designed for play and social interaction containing play equipment (i.e., swings, slides etc). Often intended for supervised play
  • Teenage provision: Play facilities aimed at older children such multi-use games areas, skateboard areas and BMX tracks. Often intended for unsupervised play
  • General amenity greenspace: Grassed areas providing opportunities for informal activities close to home or work
  • Allotments and community schemes: Opportunities for people to grow their own produce as part of the long term promotion of sustainability, health and social inclusion
  • Cemeteries and churchyards: Quiet contemplation areas, which are often linked to the promotion of wildlife conservation and biodiversity
  • Civic spaces, war memorials: Market squares, war memorials and other hard surfaced areas designed for pedestrians and which often provide a setting for civic buildings, public demonstrations and community events
  • Outdoor networks (e.g., cycleways, footpaths, bridleways): Areas or routes for walking, cycling or horse riding, whether for leisure purposes or travel, which also help attract wildlife

Formal sport provision such as tennis and football clubs are not included as part of this survey. These are covered as part of a different, sports focused, study.

To ensure that we are providing accessible, high quality sites that meet the needs and aspirations of local communities, local people and people who work in or visit the area we carried out a survey between 3rd February 2025 – 31st March 2025.

The survey is now closed. 

Greenspace audit and strategy 2015

The Greenspace Audit and Strategy (GSAS) was published in February 2015 and includes an audit and assessment of open space, sport and recreation which was originally carried out in 2012. It also assessed the long term requirements in terms of quantity, quality and accessibility of the various types of open space, sport and recreation for future provision in meeting local need where appropriate, through establishing minimum standards to be achieved. The aims of the report were to:

  • meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework for open space, sport and recreation and the methodology set out in the Companion Guide to Planning Policy Guidance note 17 (PPG17)
  • use the findings to direct funding and contributions from developers to those areas in need of new or enhanced provision.

The Greenspace Audit and Strategy has been prepared in accordance with the PPG17 Companion Guide prior to its cancellation as Government advice in 2014. Sport England has produced advice in relation to indoor and outdoor sport although further general practice guidance to support the National Planning Policy Framework approach towards assessment of open space, sport and recreation is yet to be produced. The next review of the Greenspace Audit and Strategy and other evidence relating to open space, sport and recreation will need to take account of Sport England's new objectives.

The evidence within the Greenspace Audit and Strategy supports our Supplementary Planning Document 1 on 'Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision in New Housing Developments' and will be used to inform future policies and allocations developed as part of the Bury Local Plan.

Bury playing pitch and outdoor sport strategy (2023)

We've published a Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy and Action Plan and Full Assessment Report. Together, these documents set out a strategic framework for the maintenance and improvement of existing playing pitches and outdoor sports facilities and ancillary facilities in the borough

The Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy ensures that the provision of outdoor playing pitches meet the local needs of existing and future residents across the borough and has been produced in accordance with Sport England Playing Pitch Strategy guidance. Its robust and objective justification for future playing pitch provision will guide resource allocation, provide evidence for funding and support policies in the emerging Bury Local Plan.