14.1 An important element of sustainable development and creating sustainable communities is the provision and protection of community uses such as health, education, places of worship, facilities for arts and community halls at locations that are readily accessible. In addition, especially outside the urban areas, facilities such as public houses, post offices and petrol stations can perform a vital function in terms of the economic and social welfare of such areas and to help ensure the continued vitality of village and rural communities.
14.2 National policy10 makes it clear that all members of the community should be able to access leisure and community facilities and that they should not be disadvantaged as a result of development proposals.
14.3 The National Planning Policy Framework refers to the need to deliver the right community facilities to meet local needs.
14.4 The Three Rivers Community Strategy Update 2008 identifies the improvement of access to local services such as education, leisure, health, council services and shops as a priority for Three Rivers. The provision of these facilities is an important factor in the promotion of healthier lifestyles, the creation of sustainable communities and for providing varied cultural opportunities for local communities including the most vulnerable groups. The provision of services and infrastructure to meet the needs of existing and new development has also been identified as Strategic Objective 6 within the Core Strategy.
14.5 It is vital that all residents have good access to community, leisure and cultural facilities and it is recognised that the loss of these facilities can have a detrimental impact upon an individual's quality of life. The Council will therefore seek to protect, retain and enhance existing facilities. Where their loss is proposed, the Council will endeavour to ensure that satisfactory provision is available within an accessible location to ensure that residents do not become disadvantaged.
14.6 It is also recognised that new developments may generate a demand for additional services and at times the Council may be required to work alongside other infrastructure providers to ensure that there are the necessary services to meet the needs of existing and new communities. Further information on the Council's approach is outlined in Core Strategy Policy CP8 Infrastructure and Planning Obligations.
14.7 The Council will support in principle the implementation of strategies by partner organisations to address deficiencies and to realise enhancements of education, health and cultural facilities, which are vital community facilities, and measures to make better use of existing facilities.
14.8 For the purposes of this document, community, leisure and cultural facilities will include (but are not limited to); village halls, community centres, sports halls, theatres, doctors and dental surgeries, faith facilities, post offices, public houses, schools and local shops.
DM12 Community, Leisure and Cultural Facilities |
a) Protection Proposals for the redevelopment or change of use of any premises resulting in the loss of facilities or services that support the local community will only be permitted where the Council is satisfied that:
b) Where a use is no longer economically viable, the Council will require supporting information setting out reasons as to why the use is no longer viable and cannot be made viable in the foreseeable future. This may include details of previous use, accounts and marketing information demonstrating that the premises has been marketed for use as a community facility for a reasonable length of time and that no suitable user has been/or is likely to be found. c) New provision and enhancement Where development proposals are submitted for new or improved community, leisure or cultural facilities, they should be accessible by sustainable modes of transport. |
| Policy Links | |
| National Policy (others may also be relevant) |
National Planning Policy Framework |
| Related Core Strategy Policies | CP1: Overarching Policy on Sustainable Development
CP8: Infrastructure and Planning Obligations PSP1: Development in the Principle Town (Rickmansworth) PSP2: Development in the Key Centres (South Oxhey, Croxley Green, Abbots Langley, Chorleywood, Leavesden, Garston and Mill End) PSP3: Development in Secondary Centres (Kings Langley, Carpenders Park, Eastbury, Maple Cross, Moor Park, Oxhey Hall) PSP4: Development in Villages (Bedmond and Sarratt) |
| Core Strategy Strategic Objective | S1, S6, S11 |
14.9 Local facilities, whether publicly or privately owned, can be subject to development pressures from alternative uses. It is therefore important that where appropriate such facilities are retained within the local community. Policy DM12 seeks to both protect existing facilities from development pressures and to provide new or enhanced facilities wherever possible. The provision of facilities will meet local needs and reduce the need to travel further afield.
14.10 This policy will contribute directly to achievement of Core Strategy Objective 6: to facilitate the provision of services and infrastructure to meet the needs of existing development and new development by working on cross-boundary issues with adjoining authorities, service providers and the development industry.
10National Planning Policy Framework
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