Chapter 13: Community Facilities
Policy CF1: Community Facilities
Policy CF2: Loss of Community Facilities
Policy CF3: Community Based Health Facilities
Policy CF4: Meeting Halls and Places of Worship
Policy CF5: Educational Land and Buildings
Policy CF6: Traffic and Schools/Colleges
Introduction
13.01 The District Council wishes to sustain and respect the diversity of our communities throughout Wycombe District, and allow them to grow in a sustainable manner. Vibrant communities can, in turn, instil and improve social values and civic responsibility. Communities are strengthened by the creation of close linkages between jobs, homes, community facilities and supporting infrastructure, providing for a variety of means of transport. Furthermore, protecting and reinforcing community identity can be achieved through safeguarding existing townscape and built environment features, including the characteristics of residential areas (see also Chapters 2: General Development, 3: Housing and 11: Heritage).
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Policy Framework
13.02 The provision of community facilities is integral to sustaining viable communities. The District Council seeks to retain and enhance community facilities throughout the District, which serve the needs of the District’s residents, including ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, the young and elderly people. Community facilities comprise public halls, schools, places of worship, libraries, day nurseries, and health centres, which form part of the Use Class D1 (Non-Residential Institutions) of the Town and Country Planning Use Classes Order 1987. Additionally, public houses, corner shops, post offices, recreation and green space also have an important role in communities, especially in rural areas (see Policies C3 and L3). Policy C3 as set out in The Countryside and the Rural Economy Chapter, specifically addresses the provision of community facilities in rural areas, and should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies in this chapter.
13.03 The Local Plan can set out policies to achieve accessible and balanced communities providing for a healthy mix of people and activities. The Local Plan is a positive mechanism for encouraging new community provision, but will not by itself bring about those services. Provision for communities involves a partnership approach between a variety of agencies and authorities. The District Council may require developer contributions, to meet additional community requirements generated by development. In such circumstances, Policy G2 ‘Developer Contributions’ will apply. Known deficiencies of community facilities in an area may inform such a contribution.
13.04 Meeting the District’s housing requirements will require the provision of additional community facilities. Providing for new homes can therefore incidentally provide an opportunity to bring wider benefits to neighbouring residential areas (See Appendix 2: Development Principles).
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Chapter Objectives
13.05 The planning policies in this chapter provide the framework within which community facilities may be developed, and aim to:
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Community Facilities
13.06 Policy CF1 enables community facilities which serve a wide catchment to locate within central areas in towns, while provision geared to more local needs and demands is facilitated within local district centres and residential areas. This distribution is more efficient in terms of providing accessible community facilities which can be reached by the use of public transport and other alternatives to the private car, such as cycling and walking.
13.07 The provision of social and community facilities such as community centres and village halls, is made by a wide variety of bodies and authorities, including the District, Parish and County Councils, the health authority, social services, education services and many voluntary organisations serving the needs of all sectors of the community, including ethnic minorities, the young, elderly people and people with disabilities.
13.08 In rural areas, the provision of facilities such as post offices, shops, village halls and public houses, are of key importance in sustaining the vitality and viability of local communities. Local service provision within rural settlements is of particular importance to those who do not have access to a car. Providing for localised provision of community facilities in rural areas is also a key component of sustainable development, by reducing the number and length of journeys made by car. Policy C3 addresses the provision of community facilities in rural areas.
13.09 The District Council is seeking to improve and enhance community facility provision and will therefore welcome applications which it receives for such developments. The dual use of buildings for sustainable community provision is also to be encouraged, as this can extend the vitality of local neighbourhoods into the evenings. An important community facility which can offer wide ranging community benefits, for example, is a church hall. This not only offers a place of worship, but in itself can provide accommodation for many community groups.
13.10 In some instances, the loss of residential accommodation may be outweighed by the need for a community facility which genuinely requires a site in a particular locality. In such cases, applicants would need to demonstrate that, for example, a thorough search for alternative accommodation had proved unsuccessful, that there is a need for the facility in that area, and that the benefit of the facility would outweigh the loss of residential accommodation.
POLICY CF1
1. DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES WHICH MEET THE NEEDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL BE ACCEPTABLE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
a. ON LAND DESIGNATED UNDER POLICY H2 AND APPENDIX 2 AS NEW STRATEGIC HOUSING ALLOCATIONS AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING SCHEME;
b. WITHIN SECONDARY SHOPPING FRONTAGES, LOCAL DISTRICT CENTRES AND LOCAL SHOPS WHERE THE PROPOSAL INVOLVES THE CHANGE OF USE OF A CLASS A2 OR A3 USE;
c. IN THE COUNTRYSIDE BEYOND THE GREEN BELT WHERE THE FACILITY IS NEEDED TO SERVE THE IMMEDIATE LOCAL AREA AND COULD NOT BE PROVIDED ELSEWHERE; AND
d. IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS WHERE THE PROPOSAL WOULD NOT HARM THE AMENITIES OF NEIGHBOURING RESIDENTS.
2. THE LOSS OF RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE FACILITY TO BE SITUATED IN THAT LOCALITY AND CANNOT BE PROVIDED IN NON-RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION.
3. THE CHANGE OF USE OF A SHOP (CLASS A1) WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT THE PROPOSAL WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE VITALITY, VIABILITY AND ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAGE, CENTRE OR PARADE.
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Loss of Community Facilities
13.11 Given the finite amount of land available for development within the District and its high cost, it is possible that planning applications may be submitted which would seek to replace community facilities with other forms of development. The District Council will not grant planning permission for any development which would result in the loss of community facilities, unless it can be shown that there is no longer a need for the site or building in any form of community use, or that there is an acceptable alternative means of meeting the need, either within the new development or in another suitable location. In assessing the need for a facility, the District Council will have regard to the opportunity to provide the facility elsewhere in the locality and the added demands placed upon existing community facilities. Where replacement facilities are to be provided, the District Council may impose a condition on the planning permission or seek an obligation to be entered into, requiring that the new community facilities are completed and made available prior to the occupation of the rest of the development.
13.12 Policy CF2 is also applicable to sites allocated in this Local Plan for community facilities. Therefore planning permission will not be granted for any other uses on these sites unless it can be demonstrated that there is no longer a need for the use for which the site was allocated. The protection of community facilities in rural areas is addressed in Policy C3. The Council has adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance about Community Facilities which gives more information about assessing the loss of community facilities and undertaking Community Needs Assessments.
POLICY CF2
PLANNING PERMISSION WILL NOT BE GRANTED FOR PROPOSALS INVOLVING THE LOSS OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES OR THE LOSS OF LAND ALLOCATED FOR SUCH PURPOSES, UNLESS THERE IS NO LONGER A NEED FOR THEM, OR THERE IS AN ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING SUCH NEED.
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Community Based Health Facilities
13.13 There is an increasing trend towards primary health care facilities providing for health care and education within the community. As well as the traditional general practitioner services, such centres may also cater for mother and baby groups, health education, minor operating suites, outpatient psychiatric services, physiotherapy units, social workers, dieticians, chiropodists, osteopaths and speech/occupational therapists. The District Council supports further community health care provision which affords easy access to local people.
13.14 The District Council recognises that it is of great benefit to patients if primary health care facilities such as doctors' surgeries, are located near their homes. Where non-residential premises are unavailable, the general resistance to the loss of residential accommodation may be relaxed, and a dwelling may be used, provided that the service proposed genuinely requires such a location, and the proposal conforms with other appropriate policies in this Local Plan. Proposals should conform with policies H10 and H11 relating to the protection of existing residential accommodation and land. A good indication of the need to locate in residential property or on residential land will be whether a substantial number of patients are within walking distance. Services which provide for a wider catchment area will not be permitted where this would result in a net loss of residential accommodation or land.
13.15 Facilities for care in the community services may also be provided in residential property. Clinical, supervisory or other staff may be accommodated in residential accommodation where it is essential that they have frequent access to a local area, and non-residential premises are unavailable. In all cases where a loss of residential accommodation or land can be justified, a location should be sought that would minimise any disturbance to local residents.
POLICY CF3
NOTWITHSTANDING POLICIES H10 AND H11 OF THIS LOCAL PLAN, THE USE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES OR LAND FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES WILL BE SUPPORTED BY THE DISTRICT COUNCIL, PROVIDED THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE PROPOSED USE IS SITUATED IN THAT LOCALITY.
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Meeting Halls and Places of Worship
13.16 The District Council recognises that the availability of places for cultural, social and religious activities is essential to the well being of local residents, many of whom are seeking to follow their own cultural and religious traditions.
13.17 A change of use resulting in the loss of residential accommodation, a corner shop or a shop in a primary shopping frontage would require particular justification, on the basis of a clearly identified need for a premises to be located in that particular area. The change of use of part of a dwelling to a small scale religious use is acceptable, provided that the remaining dwelling, which should be self contained, provides a satisfactory standard of living accommodation and external environment and that there would be no adverse impact on neighbours. Where the proposed use would draw large numbers of people, even from the immediate area, it may be more appropriate to seek either a larger plot in a residential area, or a location in a non-residential area. Adequate off- street parking should be provided in accordance with Policy T2, including where appropriate, dropping off space near to the door. Uses which are likely to cause undue disturbance will not be permitted in residential areas.
13.18 Where new buildings or extensions are proposed, the scale, mass and design of the building should be appropriate to the area in which it is situated. This does not rule out detailed designs which reflect the social or cultural influences behind the proposed use. Access for people with disabilities should be incorporated in accordance with Policy G9.
13.19 In particular circumstances involving a small scale, low key use serving the residents of the immediate locality, the District Council may consider the use of a personal condition or temporary planning permission where a permanent or unrestricted permission would not be considered appropriate. Such cases are likely to be rare, and each case would need specific justification.
13.20 The District Council has produced an Advice Note No. 12 ‘Community Facilities, Meeting Places and Places of Worship’ on planning issues in relation to these facilities. Policy CF4 should be read in conjunction with Policy CF1.
POLICY CF4
1. THE PROVISION OF MEETING PLACES FOR RELIGIOUS OR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE ACCEPTABLE WHERE THE PROPOSAL IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY CF1.
2. IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, PROPOSALS THAT WOULD ATTRACT LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE IMMEDIATE LOCALITY, OR WOULD RESULT IN UNDUE DISTURBANCE TO RESIDENTS, WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
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Educational Land and Buildings
13.21 The County Council Education Department is presently reviewing its plans for education, which seeks to address the issues of school capacity and provision. Due to predicted demographic trends and changes in school provision, the amalgamation of school provision is likely. The District Council recognises the importance of school provision in sustaining viable communities, not only as a direct provider of education, but also for the community focus it provides for activities out of school hours. The District Council will consider proposals for the redevelopment of a school site, where it can be clearly demonstrated that there is no longer a requirement for such an educational facility, and that there is an acceptable alternative means of meeting local educational requirements elsewhere in the locality. School sites make an important contribution in meeting community needs for both organised space and informal activities. If a school site is to be redeveloped, the District Council would expect the retention of a community facility which, wherever possible, meets identified local needs, to be incorporated within the new development. In exceptional circumstances, where provision can not be met on-site, and a local need could be more beneficially met by contributions to the upgrading or provision of off-site community facilities, commuted payments may be considered. Policy RT3 ‘Playing Pitch Provision’ will apply when considering future use of school playing fields.
13.22 Where the above criteria have been met, the District Council would expect that the redevelopment of a school site maintains and, wherever possible, enhances access, open space and amenity standards, (See Policies L3 and G8). In particular, development on Green Space will only be considered in exceptional circumstances where it can be demonstrated that development within the Green Space is necessary. In such circumstances, every effort should be made to retain a substantial proportion of Green Space, or provide an alternative provision of equivalent quality within the locality. Where applicable, the redevelopment of redundant educational land and buildings will be required to respect residential amenity.
POLICY CF5
1. PROPOSALS TO REDEVELOP EDUCATIONAL LAND AND BUILDINGS WILL BE ACCEPTABLE, PROVIDED THAT THE DISTRICT COUNCIL IS SATISFIED THERE IS NO LONGER A REQUIREMENT FOR THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS/LAND AND THAT ALTERNATIVE, LOCALLY BASED, SCHOOL PROVISION WITHIN REASONABLE WALKING DISTANCE IS AVAILABLE.
2. THE DISTRICT COUNCIL WILL REQUIRE COMMUNITY FACILITY PROVISION FOR PUBLIC USE TO BE INCORPORATED WITHIN ANY REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS. IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, WHERE PROVISION CAN NOT BE MET ON-SITE, AND A LOCAL NEED COULD BE MORE BENEFICIALLY MET BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UPGRADING OR PROVISION OF OFF-SITE COMMUNITY FACILITIES, DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE SOUGHT INSTEAD OF ON-SITE PROVISION.
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Traffic and Schools/Colleges
13.23 With increased car ownership and more parental choice, parents are able to send their children to schools some distance from their homes. As a consequence, traffic associated with schools/colleges has grown, thereby contributing to peak time congestion flows (morning and evening), road safety and parking problems. The use of the car is increased further due to parental fear for the safety of their children when walking or cycling to school/college.
13.24 National planning policy as set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 13: Transport (PPG13, March 2001) emphasises the need to integrate planning and transport, at local, as well as national, regional and strategic level, and to promote more sustainable travel choices, accessibility to services by public transport, walking and cycling, and to reduce the need to travel, especially by car. Accordingly, where there is a significant expansion in attendance at an educational establishment, the District Council will expect measures to be taken to encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking. Where appropriate, the District Council will attach conditions to permissions for new educational facilities, or seek to enter into planning obligations, to ensure that such measures are implemented and that new development does not exacerbate associated traffic problems within the locality. For the purpose of this policy, an expansion will be considered as ‘significant’, where this would result in at least a 10% increase in the number of pupils attending an educational establishment, and having regard to the circumstances of the site. Traffic management and traffic calming is addressed in Policy T13.
13.25 The District Council recognises that some pupils may live too far from school/college to walk or cycle and there may not be a convenient bus route. To this end, consideration will still need to be given to the provision of on-site parking for cars and bicycles in accordance with Policies T2 and T6.
POLICY CF6
1. THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT OR INCREASED NUMBER OF PUPILS OR STUDENTS ATTENDING ON A REGULAR BASIS WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE SUITABLE MEASURES ARE PROPOSED OR IN PLACE TO FACILITATE AND ENCOURAGE THE WIDER USE OF COLLECTIVE OR PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND JOURNEYS ON FOOT OR BY CYCLE. THESE MEASURES MAY INCLUDE, AS APPROPRIATE, IMPROVED OR ADDITIONAL ACCESS POINTS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS AND PRIORITY ROUTES AND ACCESS FOR BUSES AND COACHES.
2. BEFORE PERMITTING ANY EXPANSION OF EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO RECEIVE UNDERTAKINGS FROM, OR TO CONCLUDE AGREEMENTS WITH, THE LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY OR OTHER AGENCIES TO SECURE THE CARRYING OUT OF SUITABLE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES TO PROTECT LOCAL PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST MOVEMENT, BY MEANS OF ROAD CLOSURES, PARKING CONTROLS AND SPEED REDUCTION MEASURES EITHER BEFORE OR AS SOON AS THE EXPANSION OF THE PREMISES TAKES PLACE.
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Burial Grounds
13.26 The District Council is one of a number of burial authorities in the District. Individual Parish and Town Councils are responsible for burials in their own areas. Demand for new burial grounds has increased in recent years, and the District Council expects this demand to continue during the Local Plan period. Appropriate provision for new burials will therefore need to be made, together with the provision of facilities for burial parties and visitors, such as toilets and seating areas.
13.27 The District Council recognises that burial services within the District will reflect a variety of cultural traditions and that the demand for burial space by some of these traditions will increase. Planning permission for new burial grounds will also be subject to other policies in this Local Plan.
POLICY CF7
THE USE OF LAND AS A BURIAL GROUND WILL BE ACCEPTABLE, SUBJECT TO OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES IN THIS LOCAL PLAN AND THE PROVISION OF SATISFACTORY DETAILS IN SUCH ASPECTS AS ACCESS, ON-SITE PARKING, LANDSCAPING, LAYOUT, SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE, AND FACILITIES FOR BURIAL PARTIES AND VISITORS.