What we're trying to achieve

[3.23.01] We aim to provide the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services our communities need to support healthy lifestyles and address identified local health and well-being needs.

Policy 23: Community facilities and Local Green Space

We want to sustain community and cultural facilities and local services, and ensure communities have improved availability and access to high quality greenspaces and recreation facilities.

We will achieve this by:

1. supporting development proposals for new, or improvements to existing community facilities and services where they are appropriately located to serve the needs of the community.

2. supporting development proposals that enable flexible / multi-use of buildings or that combine a range of services and facilities on one site to sustain its long term viability.

3. resisting the change of use of existing shops, and pubs and drinking establishments to alternative uses outside Primary Shopping Areas unless:

  • the current use is no longer suitable or viable for its purpose; or
  • it can be demonstrated that there are suitable alternatives within the settlement.

4. only permitting the loss of a Local Green Space designation in special circumstances where:

  • it can be demonstrated that the green space is no longer needed, or
  • a suitably located replacement of at least equivalent standard is secured.

5. requiring new housing development of ten houses and above and new business parks, large-scale retail and commercial developments (over 1250sqm) to include Amenity Local Green Space to enhance amenity value

+Current Situation

+Implementation