Local Green Space is a national designation of open space protection. Local Green Space designation is a way to provide special protection against development for green areas of particular importance to local communities. See more here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/open-space-sports-and-recreation-facilities-public-rights-of-way-and-local-green-space#Local-Green-Space-designation
With support from local councillors across all Whitstable’s wards, the Whitstable Society and The Open Spaces Society, Whitstable Beach Campaign proposed Whitstable beach be designated a Local Green Space.
At a General Meeting of the Council on Thursday 24th April 2014, councillors agreed almost unanimously (with only one abstention) to grant Local Green Space status to an area of West Beach from the caravan park to the harbour. It was then included it in the Canterbury City Council Draft Local Plan.
Given the local support, it was a shock when this decision was overruled by the Planning Inspector when Canterbury’s Local Plan was finalised.
Whitstable Beach Campaign continue to argue that the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework were fully met and, along with the many councillors who supported this so strongly for their constituents, we were very disappointed that the designation was not formalised.
Whitstable Beach Campaign 