The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy protects community facilities that serve local needs. A facility can only be lost if a viability assessment confirms it has no realistic prospect of continuing, it has been actively marketed for at least 12 months at a realistic price for its lawful use, and similar facilities are easily accessible nearby or a comparable replacement is provided. Proposals for new or improved community facilities will be supported where they promote healthy, inclusive and safe communities.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
Policy ID.18
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 n