Chapter 16. Community Facilities
16.1. Thriving communities are reliant on having spaces and buildings where people can meet and for community-based activities to take place. Without such spaces many communities would not survive and would not provide the support mechanisms that are needed for the health and wellbeing of their residents. Such facilities also form an important resource that promotes social well-being and cohesion – they make space and place for great things to happen.
Policy CF01: New or extended community facilities
Encouragement will be given to the provision of new social and community facilities and extension of existing facilities.
Planning permission for new community spaces and buildings or extension to existing, to support (typically non-profit making) community events, gathering and activities, will be granted where all of the tests set out below are satisfied:
A. Provision will need to be within, adjoining or physically close to, and as such well related, to built-up parts or edges of a recognisable mass of buildings that reasonably constitutes a town, village or settlement (this test would be met in respect of new land allocations in the local plan for development).
B. Development will be designed to serve local residents. Facilities must be accessible to residents and within safe reasonable walking distance of most potential users of the facility. They will need to be proportionate in scale and size to the needs of that community.
Where possible development proposals must promote the sharing of spaces and facilities with a range of uses and activities typically expected in any development. This policy applies across the whole plan area including the Cranbrook Plan area.
Justification for policy
16.2. Community facilities like halls, schools, libraries, health centres, and places of worship are vital for social activities. The Council supports expanding or creating new facilities, especially in areas with substantial new development or lacking existing facilities. Multipurpose buildings accommodating various uses are encouraged.
16.3. The Council also supports the temporary use of residential houses or other appropriate buildings for community activities in the following instances:
Where there is a perceived demand that needs to be proven before constructing a permanent facility.
Where a large development is proposed and a temporary space is needed to establish an embryonic community facility early in the construction process. These temporary uses can serve a 'meanwhile' function until a permanent solution is delivered.
16.4. This approach ensures that immediate community needs are met while planning for long-term, sustainable community facilities.
Loss of community facilities
16.5. This policy aims to prevent the loss of community facilities unless they are no longer needed or viable, or an equivalent replacement is provided.
Policy CF02: Loss of community facilities
Planning Permission will not be granted for developments that would result in the full or partial loss or closure of a community facility unless at least one of the tests set out below is met:
A. The community facility (in full or part) is no longer needed by the community or cannot be financially viably sustained or made to be viable. To meet this policy planning applications that would result in a full or partial loss must be accompanied by both an:
1. Assessment, over a shorter and longer term, that demonstrates that a need no longer exists, and
2. A financial viability assessment and demonstration of active marketing that clearly shows that in current or alternative modified community use or different models of ownership, over a shorter and longer term, the facility cannot be sustained.
B. An alternative facility is provided in a pedestrian accessible location to the local community (of equivalent or better accessibility as that to be lost) and is of equal or higher community value and is being provided as an explicit replacement for the lost facility.
This policy applies across the whole plan area including the Cranbrook Plan area.
Justification for policy
16.6. Community facilities are essential, and their loss should be avoided unless they are clearly not needed, not used, or surplus to requirements. Proposals resulting in the loss of facilities must demonstrate a lack of need or viability through assessments and active marketing. Alternatively, an equivalent or better replacement facility must be provided in an accessible location. This policy ensures that community needs continue to be met and facilities remain available for public use.