Promoting Arts and Culture

olicy ID.19 Promoting Arts and Culture A. General The provision, enhancement, expansion and protection of South Warwickshire’s arts and cultural facilities, and creative industries will be supported in line with the spatial strategy in this Plan and the criteria below. Development proposals must: 1. Be appropriate to the character and appearance of the surrounding area; 2. Avoid any harmful impacts on residential amenity, public safety and the operation of existing or consented surrounding uses; 3. Avoid any adverse impacts on the safe operation of the local highway and pedestrian network 4. Positively consider the accessibility of the location by all transport means B. Temporary Provision Proposals for the provision of temporary spaces for arts and cultural activities will be supported in principle where they contribute to the vitality and diversity of the local area, particularly on sites or premises which are vacant or awaiting redevelopment. Proposals for temporary arts and cultural uses will be assessed in accordance with the criteria set out in part A of this Policy and, where relevant, should include arrangements for the management, duration of use, and reinstatement of the site. C. Safeguarding Existing Uses In cases where new development could potentially prejudice the successful ongoing operation of an adjacent cultural or arts/performance venue, the agent of change principle will be applied. Development that would lead to the loss of an existing arts or cultural facility in South Warwickshire will be resisted unless one or more of the circumstances below applies: 1. There is no realistic prospect of the facility continuing for commercial and/or operational reasons as confirmed by a robust and transparent viability assessment; 2. The intention is to replace it with a facility that will provide an improved arts or cultural offer; 3. It can be demonstrated that there would be significant benefits to the local and wider community in removing the use and/or redeveloping the site; 4. An appropriate contribution is made to support and sustain an alternative local arts or cultural facility. ID.19 ~ Development Management Considerations New development should be integrated effectively with existing businesses, venues and facilities. Existing arts and cultural facilities and businesses should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result of new development permitted after they were established. The ‘agent of change’ principle is set out in the NPPF and places the responsibility on the party introducing the new development to manage its impact on existing development. Where an existing facility or venue has a mix of uses that includes arts and culture uses as identified below and community uses as set out in Policy ID.18, the criteria set out in Policy ID.18 Part A regarding loss of community facilities will take precedent. Arts and cultural facilities and venues include: • premises for cultural production and consumption such as performing and visual arts studios • creative industries workspaces • museums • theatres and cinemas • music venues and other entertainment or performance venues Other facilities and venues not listed here, both indoor and outdoor, may be recognised as facilitating arts and cultural activities in relation to this Policy. Policy Justification 3.6.5 South Warwickshire has a rich cultural heritage including a wide range of organisations and venues, which are not only important to make South Warwickshire a great place to live, work and visit, but also contribute directly to the economy of the area. 3.6.6 The South Warwickshire Economic Strategy 2023-2028 includes an objective " ... to increase the vitality of our high streets and town centres and promote the economic value of our artistic and cultural assets. The visitor economy - including hospitality, retail, leisure, cultural heritage and the arts – is identified as a ‘core opportunity sector’ . 3.6.7 It is acknowledged that many of South Warwickshire’s existing arts and cultural offerings are located within main town centres and that these locations provide many opportunities for the sector to thrive. It is also important that support is provided for venues and facilities in villages and smaller communities that can provide opportunities for local residents and visitors to experience the arts and an area’s cultural heritage. In all cases, development proposals for new arts and cultural facilities and venues should be located where there is sufficient infrastructure to support those using them (e.g. transport connections and parking). 3.6.8 Temporary use of vacant buildings or land for cultural and creative activities can bring energy and life to unused spaces, helping to create social and economic value. The Local Planning Authorities will support the use of empty properties and sites for flexible, short-term projects or initiatives. These may include, but are not limited to, pop-up exhibition spaces, perfo