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Dudley Council wants to know how local people use the borough’s open spaces and what types of space are most important to them. To help us find out, we are asking people to take part in our open space assessment by completing a short survey.

Responses will help shape planning policies and work within parks and countryside services.

What is an open space and why are they important?

Open spaces include any publicly accessible outdoor space that can be used for recreation or to spend time in nature. For example, parks and play areas, small greens, recreation grounds, nature reserves, woodlands and canals. 

Access to open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for the health and well-being of our communities and can deliver wider benefits for nature and support efforts to address climate change. 

How will feedback help?

Planning policies need to be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space, sport, and recreation facilities and opportunities for new provision.

National planning policies require that open space assessments be undertaken with an understanding of local needs, the aim of this survey is to help better understand these needs and any barriers to access. 

The results of this survey will help us understand current and future needs as well as local perceptions on open space provision including how they are used. It was also help determine what open space, sport and recreational provision may be needed across the borough in the future.

The survey is open from 2 March 2026 to 25 March 2026.