8.1 For communities to thrive, they require access to a range of social infrastructure that can support their wellbeing and bring people of all ages together. Datchet is already reasonably well served by play and leisure infrastructure, particularly at the Recreation Ground. Opportunities to improve and expand the range of such provision should be taken, not only in this location which is relatively easily accessible to most in the community, but on new development opportunities that come forward.
8.2 The Borough Local Plan allocates land at Riding Court Road and London Road for approximately 80 dwellings (Policy ref AL39). Alongside this, the development is required to provide on-site open space including play facilities and also allotments. The Neighbourhood Plan community surveys highlighted a demand for play equipment for toddlers and young children to support early-years development and learning, and to complement the provision at the Recreation Ground, as part of the open space requirement of the Borough Local Plan allocation. There was support for a natural play area made of sustainable materials. The allotments in the Neighbourhood Plan area belong to Slough Borough Council and are not currently available for use by Datchet residents.
8.3 While such provision of play facilities should mainly be focused on the needs of children, the community surveys also showed support for allotments/community garden for growing food, and a sensory/flower/wildlife garden with seating areas. The latter could either be provided as part of the open space requirement of the Borough Local Plan allocation or in a central location such as the Recreation Ground. There was also support for enhancing leisure and exercise facilities, both indoor and outdoor, for the health and wellbeing of all age groups, at the Recreation Ground or other suitable sites in the village.
8.4 There is a gravel extraction site on Riding Court Road, on the north side of the M4 Motorway, opposite the Borough Local Plan housing allocation. When this site is restored, it will include an amenity lake with potential permissive paths linking to the Public Right of Way network. The proposed entrance to the site lies towards the junction of Riding Court Road and Ditton Park Road, a distance from the village centre. An entrance closer to the road bridge on Riding Court Road would be supported to improve ease of footpath and cycle path access to north Datchet. In the Neighbourhood Plan community surveys, there was support for a cycle path through this site to link with National Cycle Network route 6125 in north Datchet. In addition, there is the potential to create a Local Wildlife Site on the land and any such proposals will be strongly supported by the Neighbourhood Plan.
POLICY DAT11: PROVISION OF COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Proposals to provide the following community infrastructure will be strongly supported:
25 https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-61.
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