Gedling Borough Council has announced plans to update its byelaws for parks and open spaces, marking the first significant revision since 1996.
A report published ahead of a Full Council meeting on 22 January discusses the proposals.
The existing byelaws, enacted nearly three decades ago, are increasingly out of sync with how the borough’s parks and open spaces are used today.
As the borough has evolved, new facilities have been introduced, sites have changed, and some parks have been newly acquired. For example, Haywood Road Recreation Ground, once a restricted bowling green, is now a fully accessible recreation area known as Haywood Road Green. Similarly, newer spaces like Magenta Way Recreation Ground and Georgia Drive Open Space are absent from the current regulations.
The Gedling Plan 2023-2027 underscores priorities such as environmental protection, crime reduction, and fostering a sense of safety. Modernising the byelaws will help achieve these goals by ensuring the borough’s parks remain enjoyable and secure for all.
Proposed Changes
The updated byelaws introduce several key modifications:
- Opening Times: Specific sites, including Conway Road Recreation Ground and King George V Recreation Ground, will have regulated opening hours to prevent overnight disturbances.
- Prohibition of Fires and Sky Lanterns: A new byelaw bans the release of sky lanterns, addressing environmental and safety concerns.
- Skateboarding Regulations: Skateboarding will be restricted to designated areas like skateparks to protect pedestrians in high-traffic zones, such as Arnot Hill Park.
- Ball Games: New regulations specify areas where ball games are either prohibited or permitted, ensuring harmony between park users.
- Model Aircraft and Drones: Restrictions on flying model aircraft, including drones, will be introduced to enhance safety, privacy, and data protection.
Some outdated regulations, such as those related to grazing stock gates, have been removed for relevance.
The revision process has been comprehensive, involving workshops with park management, public protection teams, and neighbourhood wardens. These teams brought invaluable insights into local crime, anti-social behaviour, and park usage patterns. The new byelaws are based on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) 2018 model byelaws, ensuring consistency with national standards.
The updated byelaws aim to:
- Enhance the council and police’s ability to address nuisance behaviours.
- Improve safety and usability for all park visitors.
- Align with environmental and carbon reduction goals, such as promoting cycling and prohibiting fires.
The byelaws will be enforceable through magistrates’ courts, with penalties of up to £500 for violations.
Gedling Borough Council seeks to ensure these byelaws are proportionate and necessary. A public consultation will be conducted, engaging community groups, the Nottinghamshire Disability Group, the Civil Aviation Authority, and other stakeholders. This consultation will shape the final document and ensure it reflects the needs of all park users.
