Community facilities and local services

SP12 - Community facilities and local services This strategic policy is supporting Local Plan objectives 5 and 6. SP12 Community facilities and local services 1. The local plan will ensure that communities have access to a comprehensive range of community facilities and local services with an emphasis on: a) Health infrastructure, including primary and acute care and community health facilities. b) Education provision, including early years, primary, secondary, SEND and further education. c) Social, cultural and community facilities including, sport, leisure, arts, faith, libraries and meeting spaces. 2. Major development will be required to: a) Demonstrate how it supports healthy and inclusive communities, including through accessibility, active travel and the design of the built environment. b) Make appropriate provision for new or enhanced facilities for health, education and community infrastructure either on site or through financial contributions. c) Be informed by a proportionate Health Impact Assessment where appropriate. 3. Existing community facilities and local services will be protected. Proposals resulting in their loss will only be supported where it is demonstrated that: a) Equivalent or better provision will be made or b) The facility is no longer required or viable. 4. A co-ordinated and co-located approach to service and facility provision will be supported, particularly within town centres, larger settlements and strategic development locations. 5.153 Strong, inclusive and healthy communities depend on access to a wide range of community facilities and local services. As Buckinghamshire grows and changes, it is essential that the provision of health, education, social, cultural and community infrastructure keeps pace with development and meets the needs of all sections of the population. 5.154 Health infrastructure, including primary, acute care and community health facilities, is a key component of sustainable development. The Local Plan seeks to integrate planning and health objectives, ensuring that development supports physical and mental health and wellbeing, reduces health inequalities and promotes healthier lifestyles through the design of places. 5.155 Education provision, from early years through to secondary and further education, must be planned strategically to support population growth and ensure that children and young people can access education close to where they live. The Plan therefore ensures that development contributes towards education infrastructure where required and that land is safeguarded for future provision. 5.156 Social, cultural and community facilities—such as community centres, sports and leisure facilities, community growing places, libraries, arts and cultural venues, and places of worship—play an important role in supporting social cohesion, inclusion and quality of life. The Local Plan promotes a co-ordinated and, where appropriate, co-located approach to such facilities to ensure they are accessible and resilient. 5.157 The policy also recognises the importance of protecting existing valued facilities. The unjustified loss of community infrastructure can undermine community sustainability, particularly in rural areas and smaller settlements. 5.158 This strategic policy sets out the overarching approach to community infrastructure delivery, while Part B policies provide the detailed thresholds, assessment criteria and mechanisms for securing contributions and safeguarding facilities. More information on the Council’s work on infrastructure delivery to support the growth in the Local Plan is set out in the Infrastructure and Community Facilities Topic Paper.