< Previous | Next >

3 Community Facilities

3.1 Community Facilities

3.1.1 Community facilities are those facilities which meet local community needs, facilitate social interaction, and promote inclusive communities. In some areas of the borough where community service provision is already low this may include public houses. Examples of community facilities include:

  • Recreation, leisure, culture and arts facilities, including theatres;
  • Libraries;
  • Outdoor and indoor sports facilities;
  • Schools and other educational and training institutions;
  • Facilities for early years provision;
  • Health facilities;
  • Day centres vulnerable adults and carers;
  • Community halls and centres;
  • Places of Worship;
  • Emergency service and policing facilities, accessible to the public.

DMD 16

Provision of New Community Facilities

New community facilities will be supported borough-wide and may be required as part of development within the strategic growth areas, as detailed within Local Plan documents and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) to ensure the creation of prosperous, sustainable communities. Planning permission will be granted provided the proposed development:

  1. Is demonstrated to have a community need;
  2. Makes efficient and effective use of land and buildings, and where appropriate, provides opportunities for co-location, flexible spaces and multi-use;
  3. Is easily accessible to the community it is intended to serve by walking, cycling and public transport to reduce dependence upon private car transport;
  4. Is designed to provide access for physically impaired users, in accordance with DMD 37 'Achieving High Quality and Design-Led Development';
  5. Does not harm the amenities of neighbouring and nearby properties; and
  6. Does not have a negative impact on the area in terms of the potential traffic generated.

Development should be located in local centres and town centres or edge of centres where appropriate, depending on the scale of development, in accordance with DMD 25 '1. Locations for New Retail, Leisure and Office Development'.

This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy policies 7, 8 and 11.

Justification and guidance on implementation

3.1.2 To achieve the Council's commitment to make Enfield a healthy, prosperous and cohesive community there must be accessible local services that meet community needs and support well-being.

3.1.3 The Council will plan positively for the provision and integration of community facilities to enhance the sustainability of communities, recognising the importance of community facilities to the success of new developments in strategic growth areas. 34 Enfield Council Enfield's Development Management Document Adopted (November 2014) 3 Community Facilities

3.1.4 In August 2011, Central Government published a policy statement setting out a presumption in favour of development for state-funded schools. In line with this policy applications for state funded schools will be supported subject to compliance with other development plan policies.

3.1.5 The Council recognises that emergency services require facilities, for example patrol bases, that do not require public access and may be suited to location in areas which have good access to the road network but may not be easily accessible by public transport.

3.1.6 Planning applications for community facilities should include information on the following:

  • The community need for the proposal;
  • The potential for dual uses/co-location;
  • Internal floor space arrangements;
  • Days and hours of operation;
  • Visitor numbers;
  • Accessibility by public transport;
  • Likely dependence on private car transport and car parking provision;
  • Vehicular access and manoeuvring arrangements.

DMD 17

Protection of Community Facilities

The Council will protect existing community facilities in the borough.

Proposals involving the loss of community facilities will not be permitted unless:

  1. A suitable replacement facility is provided to cater for the local community that maintains the same level of public provision and accessibility; or
  2. Evidence is submitted to demonstrate that there is no demand for the existing use or any alternative community use.

This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy policies 7, 11 and 34.

Justification and guidance on implementation

3.1.7 There are a limited number of suitably located sites that can accommodate community uses in the borough, and consequently existing social and community facilities should be protected.

3.1.8 The demand for a social and community facility may change over time as the nature and needs of a local community change. However, community facilities should be safeguarded against the unnecessary loss of facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community's ability to meet its day to day needs.

3.1.9 The loss of facilities will be allowed only in exceptional circumstances. Evidence will be required of marketing and consultation with the community to demonstrate that there is no demand for existing or alternative community uses.

3.2 Early Years Provision

DMD 18

Early Years Provision

Early years facilities will be encouraged to co-locate with other community uses and use existing community facilities. Proposals involving a change from residential use will only be accepted where it can be demonstrated that there are no suitable community facilities available, subject to the following:

  1. New early years facilities within existing terraced or flatted developments will not generally be permitted as the proposal is likely to result in noise and disturbance to a residential area from traffic movements and on street parking.
  2. New early years facilities within detached houses with sufficient garden and curtilage for off- street parking will be permitted subject to it being demonstrated that noise and disturbance is limited, and access, parking and servicing managed as appropriate.
  3. New early years facilities within semi detached houses may be acceptable if they are modest in scale, are confined to the ground floor and have limited impact on the amenity of the adjoining property.
  4. Proposals for new early years facilities which are incorporated into new build residential development may be acceptable, subject to the configuration of the development and incorporation of appropriate sound insulation.

Justification and guidance on implementation

3.2.1 Early years facilities include nurseries, pre-schools, playgroups, crèches and work place crèches. The facilities are often located in community and church halls and provide day care and education for pre-school age children. The facilities are also run on a commercial basis, often through the conversion and expansion of existing residential properties.

3.2.2 Early years facilities bring benefits to the community by reducing barriers to work for parents and carers and can provide an environment conducive to the development of the children who attend.

3.2.3 Investment in the expansion and improvement of affordable childcare is supported, in accordance with the London Plan. However, early years facilities must be provided in appropriate locations and suitable premises, to ensure high standards of provision and prevent harm to the amenity of neighbours.

3.2.4 Planning applications for proposals involving early years facilities should include information on the following:

  • The number and age ranges of children being catered for;
  • Days and hours of operation, including times for use of the garden;
  • Internal floor space arrangements;
  • Soft and hard external play space provision;
  • Car parking and drop off provision;
  • Vehicular access and manoeuvring arrangements;
  • Boundary treatment and screening.

< Previous | ^ Top | Next >