The problem for Kirklees, and local authorities in similar situations, is that the options for managing green space on new housing developments are limited, and usually involves a management liability for the local authority. In considering this, there is a realisation that there is both a need and an opportunity to think more widely about how they deliver green space.

One of the key recommendations we made to Kirklees was to make residents who were already paying service charges aware that they had the right to become a member of the management company, to elect the board and to chose the contractors and level of service they receive themselves. We also made a set of recommendations for changes to the way new housing schemes are granted planning permission, in order to improve the quality of green spaces arising from development and to make them easier to manage.

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