Community Facilities

Community Facilities A. Existing facilities Proposals for redevelopment or change of use that would result in the loss of a community facility that serves local needs will only be permitted where the following criteria are met: 1. There is no realistic prospect of the facility continuing on site for commercial and/or operational reasons as confirmed by a robust and transparent viability assessment 2. The land and/or property has been actively marketed for a period of at least 12 months at a realistic market price for its lawful use or otherwise made available for a similar or alternative type of facility that would be of benefit to the community 3. There are similar facilities easily accessible to the local community that can continue to meet its collective needs and expectations and/or replacement alternative comparable facilities can be provided B. New Facilities Development proposals for new or improved community facilities or services will be supported where they promote healthy, inclusive and safe communities. Where appropriate, new community facilities will be required as an integral part of residential developments. They are to be located where they are accessible by sustainable modes of transport by potential users. Proposals for major new residential developments will be expected to make proportionate contributions towards community facilities. This may be achieved through direct provision or contributions to off-site improvements. On-site provision of community facilities should be located where accessible by sustainable modes of transport (walking, cycling, etc). Policy ID.18 ~ Development Management Considerations Community facilities are those that typically serve the needs of local residents in village and neighbourhood locations on a frequent basis. Retail and hospitality facilities in Primary Shopping Areas (see Policies DS.2 and DS.8) are not usually considered to be community facilities. The following list is not exhaustive, and the Local Planning Authority may apply this policy to other facilities that meet a community need where the grant of permission would result in a demonstrable shortfall in provision in the locality. • local convenience stores • community halls and meeting spaces • public houses • libraries • places of worship • local health facilities • local education facilities including crèches and nurseries for the care of children For the avoidance of doubt, this policy does not relate to: • open space (including parks and gardens, outdoor sports provision, allotments and community orchards), the approach to which is set out in Policies ID.14, ID.15 and ID.16 • Sports, Recreation and Leisure Facilities, the approach to which is set out in Policies ID.17 In relation to Part A1 of the Policy ~ to assess proposals involving the loss of a community facility, the applicant will be expected to submit a viability assessment to justify that the existing facility has no realistic prospect of continuing. As part of this assessment, applicants will be expected to provide audited accounts to demonstrate annual profit or loss for a period of at least two years. The applicant will need to demonstrate that all reasonable measures to improve the viability of the facility have been explored. This includes diversification of the services or facilities offered. Applicants should also provide information on any renovations and improvement to the building or facilities undertaken or required. Evidence of continual maintenance, normally expected to cover a period of five years, should be provided. Any deviation from this period will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and will need to be robustly justified by the applicant. In relation to Part A2 of the Policy ~ the applicant must demonstrate that the facility has been marketed by appropriate means for its lawful use and should not be marketed for residential or other uses ‘subject to planning permission’ . Evidence should also include a marketing statement which must identify: • the asking price (including a valuation by a suitably qualified person) • any changes in asking price made during marketing, • details of all expressions of interest, all offers received and the reasons for not accepting the offer(s) to allow the Councils to consider whether any reasonable offer has been refused The Marketing Statement should also include evidence that the facility has been advertised in the relevant regional and local press, online and on a continuous basis throughout the marketing period. It is important that the marketing period is recent and reflects current market conditions. In relation to Part A3 of the Policy ~ assessments of other facilities and their accessibility should take into account, the use of the facility, likely users and reasonable travel times by suitable travel methods, including walking and cycling. This should also consider the ease of access, including the safety and suitability of footpaths and roads in rural areas (for example, whether routes are sufficiently well lit). Policy Justification 3.6.4 The NPPF recognises that community facilities and services contribute to the sustainability of communities, and that planning policies and decisions should enable the retention and development of accessible local services and community facilities. As such, the first part of this policy seeks to retain existing facilities and sets out criteria that must be met to justify the loss of a facility. The second part of the policy offers support to proposals for new community facilities or services, and improvements and extensions to existing facilities, providing the proposals are of benefit to the local community. The nature of any community benefit will d