Regional spatial strategies
It is important that broad ‘enabling’ policies
are introduced at this level. The location, scale and method
of delivery of facilities for sport and recreation is an important
strategic issue.
The South East Plan (2009)
has a policy outlining the principles to be followed for planning
contributions:
Policy CC7 Infrastructure and
Implementation establishes the principles that:
- Local Development Documents will identify necessary
infrastructure required as a result of planned development;
- Contributions will be required towards the costs of these from
new development;
- Statements on the role and scope of contributions sought will
be prepared by local authorities in conjunction with key
agencies;
- The phasing of development should relate to the provision of
key infrastructure; and
- An Implementation Plan for infrastructure will be prepared at
regional level.
Policy S5 relates to Cultural and Sporting
Activity and encourages the preparation of local audits.
Policy TSR3 covers regional level sports
facilities and refers to the roles of the strategies of the
governing bodies for sport.
Policy C2 of the East of England
Plan gives a set of criteria for the siting of strategic
sports (and cultural) facilities.
CLICK here to read the policies in full in the plan
Regional implementation
plans
A Regional Partnership Group is developing a
Joint implementation Plan for the East of England
Plan. This covers the 2008 Regional Spatial Strategy
and the 2008 Regional Economic Strategy review. The Plan has
a section on the theme of ‘culture, creativity and the visitor
economy’ which includes sport.
CLICK here to read the draft Implementation Plan
Local development
frameworks
It is also important that planning authorities
include full and detailed polices in respect of developer
contributions for sport and recreation in their local development
frameworks.
The Planning Obligations
Circular (Circular 5/05) states that authorities may use
agreements to;
- Prescribe the nature of a development;
- Compensate for loss or damage created by a development
(eg open space); or to
- Mitigate a development’s impact.
PPG 17 Open Space, Sport and
Recreation also states that;
- Local authorities will be justified in seeking planning
obligations where the quantity or quality of provision is
inadequate or under threat; or
- Where development increases local needs.
Authorities must carry out local assessments
of need and set local standards in order to justify planning
obligations.
Generic polices are likely to be found in the
LDF core strategy, with more detail in:
- A development control policies document (if this has been
prepared); and
- In various area action plan DPDs, which focus on areas of
change such as new urban extensions.
CLICK here for examples
of core strategy policies
Area action plans
Area action plans focus on a specific location
or area subject to conservation or significant change.
Examples from Chelmsford (Essex) and South Cambridgeshire, show
current practice where AAPs have enabled the provision and
enhancement of sport and recreation facilities alongside proposals
for major development areas.
CLICK here for more
details