Greenwich Council Unitary Development Plan 2006 logo and an image of drummers and the Cutty Sark
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1. COMMUNITY NEEDS, BENEFITS & SERVICES
 
GENERAL POLICIES AND POLICY CONTEXT
   
1.1 The Council’s approach to social inclusion and equal opportunities applies to all the policy areas contained within the Plan. This chapter contains the policy context. It recognises the ways in which land use and transportation policies can affect some people more than others because of differences in personal mobility arising from factors such as age, health, disability, income, caring responsibilities, gender, sexuality or ethnic background. The needs of groups facing discrimination and deprivation are examined and areas of deprivation and their specific community needs are identified. Particular issues are addressed by policies in this chapter and elsewhere in the Plan. It is recognised that these needs have to be addressed in a comprehensive, integrated and multi-agency approach but that planning has a role to play within such approaches. The strategic policy for opportunities for all is:
 
SC1 To ensure that development policies reflect the needs of all the Borough’s residents, especially the priority needs of the most disadvantaged individuals, communities and neighbourhoods.
1.2 The chapter sets out the Council’s approach to community benefits and goes on to detail the broad needs for a wide range of community services ranging from local community facilities to health and educational establishments. The general policies for community benefits, needs and services are:
 
SC2 In order to secure the best use of land and a properly planned environment the council will seek to ensure, through the use of conditions and planning obligations attached to planning permissions, that new development provides for the infrastructure, facilities, amenities and other planning benefits which are necessary to support and serve it and to offset any consequential planning loss to the local area.
 
SC3 To provide, consolidate and retain community facilities within the area they serve, especially in areas of deficiency, areas of deprivation and areas of new development.
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BOROUGH CONTEXT AND REASONS FOR PART ONE POLICIES
   
Community Needs
1.3 Community needs have been examined through identifying disadvantaged groups and areas of deprivation in the Borough.
Disadvantaged Groups
1.4 There are a number of groups in the Borough who are disadvantaged by the built environment. Table C1 sets those groups out.
 
TABLE C1: GROUPS MOST DISADVANTAGED BY THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Disadvantaged Group Numbers Affected Distribution in the Borough Issues Policies/Land Use
DISABLED PEOPLE 17% had a Limiting Long Term Illness (2001 Census) Borough-wide. Kidbrooke with Hornfair 20 %, Middle Park & Sutcliffe 20% (2001 Census). Housing: Inaccessible, unsuitably designed, including unsafe elements.
Transport: inaccessible. Problems of access to all health and other facilities, shops, leisure facilities and open space.
Employment: inaccessible places of work and lack of sheltered employment. Building design and landscapes not always conducive to personal safety. 		Sheltered housing. Accessible/adapted housing. Accessible public transport and community transport. Accessible new buildings. Provision of facilities and conveniences. Disabled facilities at work. Employment opportunities.
UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE 5% (2001 Census) Woolwich Riverside 9%, Thamesmead Moorings 7% (2001 Census) Leads to poverty and deprivation, ill-health and reduced standards of living. Maintain economic activity in the Borough to provide job opportunities. Allocate sites. Encourage growth of service sector. Need for training. Encourage the provision of affordable public transport.
MINORITY ETHNIC COMMUNITIES 23% (2001 Census) Particularly Woolwich Common (41%), Glyndon (38%), Woolwich Riverside (36%) (2001 Census) Employment: higher unemployment rate; demand for setting up/running small businesses.
Housing: dependence on public sector, harassment, special requirements for larger and extended families.
Community facilities: places of worship for different religions, meeting places.
Transport: dependence on public transport, particularly by women and older people. Language needs for some groups, particularly women and refugee communities. 		Flexible policies on small businesses. Training. Maintain economic activity in Borough. Affordable housing. Housing mix. Sympathetic policies for community buildings. Cheap, accessible, reliable public transport. Translation of Council documents when possible and interpretation provisions.
WOMEN 52% (2001 Census) Borough-wide Employment: lower wages, poorer conditions, lack of childcare, many part-time.
Caring: are majority of carers of children, sick, people with disabilities and older people.
Transport: few women with access to cars so dependent on public transport.
Personal safety: rise in crime against the person disproportionately affects women.
Housing: high dependence on public housing and rented sector, many homeless.
Shopping: lack of accessibility to shops for pushchairs and few childcare facilities.
Community facilities - access to health and other facilities. 		Workplace nurseries. Children’s Centres with integrated centres for under fives and their families. Employment opportunities. Training. Community nurseries. Day- care centres. Supported housing. Safety conscious design of built environment. Affordable housing. Hostels. Shoppers’ crèches. Local shopping. Better access. Cheap, accessible, reliable public transport.

Accessible community facilities.

OLDER PEOPLE 13% over pensionable age. 6.5% over 75's. Majority are women. (2001 Census) Southern Wards most affected such as Coldharbour & Eltham, Eltham North and Eltham South (2001 Census) Housing: dependent on public housing, problems of maintenance, access and security. Transport dependent on public transport.
Welfare/ heath: low income group, need for community care and facilities, health problems increase need for health care and social service provision.
Access: many may be infirm and have similar needs to people with disabilities. 		Sheltered housing and special needs housing. Reliable, safe and accessible public transport. Community facilities - accessible day care centres, hospitals and health centres. Domiciliary services. Accessible buildings including ramps and handrails.
LONE PARENTS 14%-13,133 households. Numbers rising. (2001 Census) Northern Wards most affected -

Woolwich Common 16%, Woolwich Riverside 15%, Glyndon 15%

(Lone parent households with dependent children, 2001 Census)

Housing: dependent on public housing.
Caring: lack of facilities contribute to restricted employment opportunities and adds to isolation. Poverty is a particular problem. 		Affordable, accessible housing. Childcare facilities. Children’s Centres with integrated centres for under fives and their families. Good public transport. Local shops, health clinics, etc.
Disadvantaged Group Numbers Affected Distribution in the Borough Issues Policies/Land Use
HOMELESS PEOPLE In 2005-2006 Greenwich Council accepted responsibility for housing 971 homeless households. Not Known Lack of temporary accommodation and cheap housing. Lack of training opportunities for young homeless and young care leavers. Hostels, affordable housing, single unit housing. Training opportunities.
UNDER FIVES 7.2% (2001 Census) Northern Wards most affected such as Woolwich Common (10%), Woolwich Riverside (9%), Glyndon (9%), Thamesmead Moorings (9%) (2001 Census) Many live in areas of stress in high-rise flats, living in poverty in a poor environment with little access to gardens or play space. High rates of injuries from road accidents due to poor road layout and/or environment and the priority given to road users. Totally inadequate nursery provision to meet growing demand. Need for health clinics and support services. Work-place nurseries, community nurseries, play space. Children’s Centres with integrated centres for under fives and their families. Access to schools, health clinics, hospitals. Reducing road traffic accidents and improving housing conditions
CARERS 9% (2001 Census). Borough-wide Community facilities: need for day care centres and other temporary help.
Transport: dependent on public transport.
Housing: need for accessible and/or adapted housing. 		Cheap, accessible, reliable public transport. Supported housing. Community facilities. Accessible health services.
NON-CAR OR VAN OWNERS 41% - (2001 Census) Northern Wards most affected including Woolwich Riverside (55%), Woolwich Common (51%), Glyndon (48%) (2001 Census) Transport: dependent on public transport. Safe walking routes are essential (including routes which are safe for those who use mobility aids such as scooters, wheelchairs and buggies).
Shopping: local shops essential.
Community facilities: local health and other facilities essential. 		Cheap, accessible reliable public transport. Protection of local shops. Discourage out of town shopping centres. Safer pedestrian environment and cycleway.
LESBIANS, GAY MEN AND BISEXUAL PEOPLE 10% estimated for all or some part of lives Borough-wide Housing: homelessness a major problem, need for hostels for young lesbians and gay men excluded by parents, need for single housing unit.
Personal safety: for example, need for purpose-built Lesbian and Gay Centre in safe environment. 		Single unit housing, hostels, affordable housing. Safety conscious design in built environment.
PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS 12% Estimated nationally Borough-wide Housing: often related to stress from living in unsuitable housing and/or environments. Increasing demand for supported housing, hostels and sheltered housing. Employment training and retraining, sheltered employment.
Transport: access to special transport.
Education: integrated at local level. Accessible health facilities and Social Services support. Cultural and recreational provisions. 		Supported housing including hostels and sheltered housing. Sheltered employment integrated education. Accessible Social Services and health services.
TRAVELLERS AND ROMANY PEOPLE Approximately 50 families on Thistlebrook site. Varying numbers on unauthorised sites. Official site at Abbey Wood/ unauthorised sites vary. Housing: lack of permanent accommodation London-wide, lack of properly serviced sites for temporary accommodation.
Employment: needed for retraining where wanted.
Education: irregularity a problem. 		Skills centre and training. Temporary and permanent sites needed London-wide. Access to health and social services.
   
1.5 The Disadvantaged Groups identified in Table C1 share many common experiences: they all face discrimination in obtaining access to employment and housing, often have low incomes and are disadvantaged by lack of transport and access to health and other facilities. They may also encounter barriers in accessing other mainstream provision - welfare benefits, legal representation, advice and culturally sensitive services. Several key issues with implications for planning policies can be identified and are set out below.
Housing
 
  • A variety of homes, affordable, accessible and safe, including special needs and hostels.
  • A safe and accessible environment around homes with gardens and play space for children.
  • Choice of tenure to ensure that affordable, accessible, safe and supported housing to meet different needs are available as part of any major new development.
Transport
 
  • Cheap, accessible, safe and reliable public transport - to people with disabilities and geographically, i.e. close to where people live, work and shop.
  • Transport schemes for the community, such as Dial-a-Ride, women’s safe transport and existing community transport.
  • Prioritising environmentally friendly transport - walking, cycling and public transport - and reducing car use will be essential to meeting air quality targets, and bring health benefits, contributing to the Department of Health Targets and reductions in traffic accidents.
  • Improving the environment for pedestrians, particularly for children, older people and people with disabilities, and cyclists. Encouraging walking and cycling through the creation of safe, attractive walking and cycling routes and pedestrian only areas.
  • The importance of public transport for people who do not have access to a car: around 41% of households in Greenwich. In parts of Greenwich, such as Woolwich Riverside and Woolwich Common, the proportion is much higher than this (55% and 51%, respectively – 2001 Census).
Shopping
 
  • Local Shopping areas and parades.
  • Facilities for children including separate baby changing areas, baby feeding areas and play areas including crèches.
  • User-friendly amenities and design, such as seating and rest areas, to meet the needs of all, particularly elderly people and people with disabilities.
  • Access for disabled people, through provision of toilets, wide doors and lifts, use of appropriate lighting, contrast and surface textures, etc.
Jobs
 
  • Improving employment opportunities through encouraging a variety of employment including small businesses and initiatives such as community and social enterprise, self-employment and Intermediate Labour Markets.
  • Training to enable people to overcome disadvantage in the labour market and provide them with new skills to match job opportunities.
  • Childcare facilities such as workplace nurseries.
  • Facilities to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Community Services
 
  • Social support through the provision of accessible Health, Social Services, day care and child care, etc.
  • Meeting places for special cultural, religious and social needs.
Environment
 
  • Access for people with disabilities, those with physical or learning needs, older people, children, and parents and carers with young children.
  • Personal safety should be an important consideration in the layout and design of the built environment and open spaces.
  • Improving outdoor air quality and safety through measures to reduce car dependency.
   
1.6 Table C2 provides a cross reference to the key policies for disadvantaged groups contained in other chapters of the Plan.
 
TABLE C2: KEY POLICIES FOR DISADVANTAGED GROUPS
     
  2 Jobs and the Local Economy
 
  • SJ5: Strategic Policy
  • J13: Quality Jobs
  • J14: Training and Business Support
  • J15: Community Benefits
  • J16: Accessibility
  3. Housing
 
  • SH2: Strategic Policy
  • SH5: Strategic Policy
  • H7: Housing Design
  • H12: Children’s Play Areas
  • H13: Housing Improvement
  • H14: Affordable Housing
  • H15: Housing Mix
  • H16: Non Self-Contained Accommodation
  • H17: Lifetime Homes
  • H18: Sheltered Housing
  • H19/20: Wheelchair Standard Housing
  • H21: Supported Housing
  • H22: Travellers and Romany people
  4. Open Spaces
 
  • SO3: Strategic Policy
  • O9: Public Open Space Deficiency Areas
  • O10: Community Benefits
  • O12: Park Facilities
  • O15: Recreational Footpaths & Cycleways
  • O25: Environmental Education
  5. Environmental Protection
 
  • SE1: Strategic Policy
  • SE2: Strategic Policy
  • E7: Traffic Restraint and Reduction Measures
  6. Design and Conservation
 
  • SD1: Strategic Policy
  • SD4: Strategic Policy
  • D1: Urban Design
  • D4: Environmental Improvements
  • D5: Parking and Access Arrangements
  • D6: Access for People with Disabilities
  • D7: Safety and Security in the Environment
  • D32: Environmental Improvements
  7. Movement
 
  • SM2: Strategic Policy
  • SM3: Strategic Policy
  • SM4: Strategic Policy
  • M1: Development and Transport - General Principles
  • M4: Extension of the Public Transport Network
  • M6: Accessible Public Transport
  • M11: Transport Interchanges
  • M12: Retention and Improvement of Public transport Facilities
  • M28: Community Benefits
  • M32: Cycling
  • M33: Pedestrians
  • M34: People with Disabilities - Access in Public Areas
  8. Town Centres
 
  • STC2: Strategic Policy
  • STC3: Strategic Policy
  • STC5: Strategic Policy
  • TC5: Woolwich Town Centre: Pedestrian and Cycle Access
  • TC9: The Multi-Functional Role of Greenwich Town Centre
  • TC12: Greenwich Town Centre: Traffic Management and Transport Links
  • TC15: Eltham Town Centre: Traffic Management, Streetscape and Environmental Quality
  • TC17: Protected Core, Fringe and Local Shopping Frontages
  • TC19: Essential Local Facilities in Neighbourhood Parades and Freestanding Premises
  • TC25/TC26: Site Access, Servicing and Parking
  9. Tourism
 
  • ST2: Strategic Policy
  • T1: Location and Criteria
  10. Waterfront
 
  • W4: Thamesmead
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Areas of Deprivation
1.7 Greenwich ranks as the 41 st most deprived local authority in England and the 9 th most deprived Borough in London in terms of ‘extent’ of deprivation (Indices of Deprivation, ODPM, 2004). There is considerable variation within the Borough, which contains relatively prosperous and less well off areas. Ten out of the Boroughs seventeen wards, primarily in the north of the Borough, contain areas within the most deprived 10% in England. Such areas of deprivation suffer from a combination of economic and social problems. Some of these areas also experience environmental deprivation, including a lack of green space, leading to the need to improve social, economic and environmental conditions and to facilitate neighbourhood renewal. Studies carried out at enumeration, ward and district level have identified geographic clusters of deprivation (Breadline Greenwich 1994; Ward Poverty Profiles 1994; DETR Indices of Deprivation 2004). These provide a geographical context for allocating resources in the Borough. One of the Plan’s major objectives, in line with the London Plan, is to direct resources, whether Council, other public sector or private sector, towards these areas, to help meet the specific needs of these areas. Many of the Plan’s policies thus refer to these areas of deprivation.
 
Community Benefits
1.8 The Borough continues to have many opportunities for major development especially along the Waterfront; however, this is also an area that contains an already disadvantaged community. It is therefore vital that the Council ensures that new development is not at the cost of those communities and that regeneration is balanced to take into account their needs.
1.9 The use of planning conditions and obligations, in conjunction with new development, can make a valuable contribution to the effectiveness of the planning system. The use of conditions and planning obligations is guided by both legislation and government policy. They can ensure that the environment is safeguarded and the development provides for the infrastructure, facilities and amenities needed to support it. Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 empowers local authorities to seek such “planning benefits” from new development through agreement with developers. Circular 05/2005 ‘Planning Obligations’ provides more detailed guidance on the use of planning obligations and the type of “planning benefits” which are considered reasonable. It states that planning obligations should only be sought where they are:
 
  • necessary;
  • relevant to planning;
  • directly related to the proposed development;
  • fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the proposed developments;
  • reasonable in all other respects.
1.10 The Department for Local Communities and Government proposes to reform the operation of planning obligations. Circular 05/2005 sets out reforms relating to the negotiation of planning obligations. Further reforms could include the introduction of an ‘Optional Planning Charge’, whereby a developer could choose to accept a standard charge instead of entering into a negotiated agreement. A decision on the Optional Planning Charge will be made in the context of the Government’s response to the Barker Review of Housing Supply (March 2004). Barker recommended the introduction of a ‘Planning Gain Supplement’ whereby the developer would pay a financial sum, measured from the uplift in land values resulting from a grant of planning permission, to contribute to wider community benefits. The Government will make a decision on the Planning Gain Supplement at the same time as that on the Optional Planning Charge.
1.11 Obligations can be provided either directly by the developer on or off site, or by means of financial payment to the local authority to make the necessary provision. Unacceptable developments should not be permitted because of unrelated benefits offered by the applicant, neither should acceptable development be refused permission simply because the applicant is unwilling or unable to offer unrelated benefits.
1.12 When considering proposals for development which require planning permission, the Council will seek either through provision by the developer or through financial payment of all or part of the cost of provision, appropriate planning benefits which meet the ‘tests’ set out above. There are a wide range of planning benefits which the Council considers would be appropriate for planning obligations. Policy SC2 sets out the Part One policy whilst policies within the topic chapters identify community benefits that might be sought in relation to particular development proposals. These include:
 
  • Policy C3: Major Residential Developments.
  • Policy J6: Industrial and Business Developments.
  • Policy J12: Work/Live Units.
  • Policy J14: Training and Business Support
  • Policy J15: Community Benefits.
  • Policy H11: Amenity Space and Gardens.
  • Policy H12: Children’s Play Areas.
  • Policy H14: Affordable Housing.
  • Policy O9: Public Open Space Deficiency Areas.
  • Policy O10: Community Benefits
  • Policy O16: Riverside Footpath.
  • Policy O17: Cycleways along the riverfront and through open spaces
  • Policy O23: Areas Lacking Accessible Wildlife Sites
  • Policy O24: Management of Wildlife Sites.
  • Policy E6: Air Quality Assessments
  • Policy E12: Site Servicing.
  • Policy E15: Waste Recycling.
  • Policy D4: Improvements to the Urban and Natural Environment.
  • Policy D30/31: Archaelogy.
  • Policy M1: Development and Transport - General Principles.
  • Policy M3: Travel Plans.
  • Policy M4: Extension of the Public Transport Network
  • Policy M6: Accessible Public Transport.
  • Policy M10 Greenwich Waterfront Transit.
  • Policy M19: New Housing Developments - Traffic Calming Measures.
  • Policy M20: Specific Improvements.
  • Policy M27: Car Parking.
  • Policy M28: Transport Community Benefits.
  • Policy M32: Cycling.
  • Policy M33: Pedestrians.
  • Policy T1: Major Tourism Development.
  • Policy TC16: Key Town Centre Uses and the Sequential Approach
  • Policy W3: Mixed Use Areas
Community Services
1.13 Services to support the community are provided by a variety of agencies to meet the health, welfare, educational, social and religious needs of people living in the Borough. Although in many instances the Council is not directly responsible for providing a service, it is concerned to see that the needs of the community and its disadvantaged groups are met. This will be through supporting and influencing the plans and proposals of the Health and other authorities, working in partnership with them, and in some instances through the provision of voluntary sector grants to promote social inclusion.
1.14 These facilities provide an important resource to the whole community and to support particularly disadvantaged groups and areas of deprivation, which generally have a higher demand for health, social and welfare services.
Health
1.15 It is recognised increasingly that patterns of land-use and development can have a significant impact on the health of individuals and communities. Poor housing, lack of employment, training and educational opportunities, high traffic levels and consequent pollution and lack of opportunity to exercise, which may result from a lack of open space and safe, attractive pedestrian and cycle routes, all impact upon health and quality of life. Poor health is also linked to poverty and affects particular areas of the Borough.
1.16 Within the Borough there are significant health inequalities. The partnership group, Improving Health and Cutting Inequalities, aims to increase equality as do the ‘CARE’ partnership and arts and sports initiatives. These emphasise prevention, community awareness and involvement, and the need for a multi-agency approach to addressing the causes of ill health. While not all factors affecting health come within the remit of planning, planning has an important role to play by ensuring that development does not exacerbate health inequalities, but results in an improved environment for everyone. Programmes are underway that tackle the causes of ill health and the Borough is working towards meeting NHS targets. By 2010, the Greenwich Strategy aims to have provided high quality and accessible health and social care services for all the Borough’s residents.
1.17 The commissioning of local health care services is the responsibility of Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust (GTPCT), which also provides a number of community health services. Local hospital services are commissioned from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust, and Mental Health and Learning Disability Services from Oxleas NHS Trust. The Council and the GTPCT are developing and integrating services for children through the Children’s Trust. The Council has an important role in providing community care under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. The Health Authority has to consult with the local authority when considering new development or closures. Close co-operation is required to ensure that Health facilities in the Borough are adequate to meet the needs of the community and the additional requirements of disadvantaged groups and areas of deprivation. The main hospital within the Borough is the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at Woolwich Common. Other services are provided at the Goldie Leigh and Memorial Hospital sites. Primary Health Care centres are being developed in the Borough to provide integrated health and social care services. Centres exist in Kidbrooke, Charlton, East Greenwich, Creekside, Woolwich Town Centre and the Millennium Village.
Education
1.18 Through the Greenwich Strategy, the Greenwich Partnership aims to ensure the Borough is a place where people are successful learners throughout their lives. By 2010, this will be achieved by raising school pupil performances, retaining students in education beyond the age of 16, and by creating accessible lifelong learning opportunities. The Council’s Integrated Regeneration Strategy recognises the key contribution that raising education standards can make to the sustainable social and economic regeneration of the Borough. The Borough’s vision for education is for a network of early years centres, a pattern of well resourced all-through primary schools, a complementary and diverse pattern of secondary schools and post 16 provision delivered through the G Plus network. The Council will increase nursery provision through the Neighbourhood Nurseries initiative and alongside this will provide support for parents and carers through Sure Start services. The Council has completed a major schools reorganisation, which has rebalanced the distribution of school places to reflect parental preferences and local needs, and introduced the G Plus network to provide for Post 16 education across the Borough. Greenwich is a Pathfinder Authority for the “Building for the Future” programme, which seeks to provide environments suitable for a 21 st century education across secondary schools nationwide. This will provide a substantial investment into secondary schools throughout the Borough. The Council is also a pathfinder for the ‘Extended Schools’ initiative and aims to provide a range of Council and other community services through co-location or integration with schools. Six Sure Start areas have also been designated in the Borough to support parents and carers with the task of bringing up children under five. Since April 2004, the new children’s centres programme has built on the good practice within these Sure Start areas and will establish new and improved services within all the disadvantaged wards in the Borough. The main providers of higher and further education in the Borough are Greenwich University, Trinity College of Music and Greenwich Community College. The former is primarily based at the Old Royal Naval College, Devonport and Dreadnought House in Greenwich Town centre and two sites in Avery Hill. The Old Royal Naval College is also the home of Trinity College. The latter is based at a number of sites in the Borough.
1.19 A well-trained and educated resident workforce will be essential to the success of regeneration schemes in the Borough, ensuring that local people are able to benefit from these in terms of job opportunities, businesses are able to gain access to the skills they require and future employers will be attracted to the area. The role of higher education in the Borough in this is acknowledged, as are the economic and other benefits they bring to the Borough. The London Plan points out that higher education institutions “are also important feeders into the labour supply, particularly of people with higher order skills necessary for London to remain a globally competitive city”.
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POLICIES
 
Community Services
C1 The Council will support proposals for new or extended or enhanced community facilities particularly where they meet the needs of disadvantaged groups or areas of the Borough subject to the following criteria:
  i. The location for such facilities is in or on the edge of a town or local centre. Proposals elsewhere must demonstrate a special need for the particular location which overrides the objective of supporting town and local centres.
  ii. The scale of the development is appropriate to the location.
  iii. The facilities should be easily accessible to those they are intended to serve by foot, cycle and public transport.
  iv. There is no unacceptable impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents.
  v. Access for people with disabilities.
  vi. A high standard of design is achieved (See Policy D1)
  vii. Appropriate car parking provision (See Policy M26 & M27)
 
C2 Planning permission which would result in the loss of community facilities through change of use or redevelopment, will only be granted where:
  i. alternative community facilities of a similar nature are provided locally in the area within which that facility serves; or
  ii. it would enable the implementation of a strategy for the provision of a community service in the Borough; or
  iii. the site is either demonstrably unsuitable for continued use as a community facility or is vacant and no community use is forthcoming despite active site marketing on realistic terms
  Provided that:
  iv. the alternative or remaining community facilities are easily accessible for those they are intended to serve by foot, cycle, public transport and people with disabilities;
  v. the location for such community facilities is in or on the edge of a town or local centre. Proposals elsewhere must demonstrate a special need for the particular location which overrides the objective of supporting town and local centres; and
  vi. the needs of disadvantaged groups or areas of deprivation have been taken into account.
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  Reason for C1 and C2
1.20 It is important that a range of services, such as schools and colleges, voluntary sector projects, health and child care facilities, law and advice centres, community centres, facilities for religious purposes and Council services with a high public use, exist to support and enable the community. The pattern of delivering these community services does and will change and evolve in response to legislative and organisational changes, changes in the needs of the community and changes in methods of service delivery. These changes will have consequences for the land and buildings through which the services are delivered. The policies seek to ensure that as these changes occur the principles of support for town/local centres, accessibility by foot, cycle, public transport and by mobility aids such as scooters, wheelchairs and buggies and their impact on disadvantaged groups/ areas of deprivation are taken into account. Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (2005) and PPG13: Transport (2001) encourage proposals for health, education and community facilities to maximise accessibility by public transport, walking and cycling. Smaller scale facilities such as health centres, children’s centres and primary schools should be encouraged in local centres. In such locations these uses help to underpin the health of town centres and are well served by public transport. Exceptions will only be allowed where there is special need for the facility to be located elsewhere, for example where the proposal is for an extension of an existing facility which does not significantly change the nature of the facility. The proposals will also need to be assessed to ensure that they satisfy other development control criteria set out in the Plan.
1.21 The policies also recognise that land and buildings used for community services are generally of low financial land value and need to be protected and promoted through the planning system. Therefore the loss of such land/buildings will need to be justified. This can be satisfied where the proposal would lead to alternative provision of similar community facilities in the area. Alternatively it can form part of a wider strategy for the provision of a community service or if it can be demonstrated that the market has been unresponsive to the opportunity for a community use on the site.
 
C3 When considering major residential developments the Council will seek appropriate planning obligations, including, to meet any increased local demand for health, child care, education, cultural and recreational, social, youth and religious facilities and public open space in accordance with Policy SC2.
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  Reason
1.22 The Borough, in the plan period, is going to face a significant increase in housing (see paragraph 3.5). The additional demands that this will place on the Borough’s services needs to be recognised. The Council is committed to ensuring that a range of community facilities - educational, health, recreational - can be easily accessed by all the Borough’s residents. Where developments increase demand for existing services, such as primary health care services, it is essential that arrangements are put in place to secure additional and appropriate forms of provision so that the health and well-being of the local community does not suffer. Major residential developments are defined as those incorporating over 25 units.
 
C4 Proposals for the change of use of residential accommodation for use by doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and other medical practitioners must ensure that:
  i. There is satisfactory access to public transport and adequate space exists for an appropriate level of car parking, including for people with disabilities;
  ii. There will be no detrimental effect on the environment;
  iii. The size of the proposed practice is consistent with the size of the property and the character of the neighbourhood.
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  Reason
1.23 Although such uses provide a service to the community, this must be balanced against environmental considerations. Detailed guidelines for the development of surgery premises are set out in an Advice Note.
 
Nursery Provision
C5 The Council will support the provision and expansion of nursery facilities in the Borough where suitable sites can be identified and standards of accommodation are satisfied. The following criteria should be met:
  i. There is no detrimental effect on the amenities of neighbouring residents, particularly due to noise and disturbance;
  ii. A proper sound insulation scheme is installed;
  iii. The provision of internal and external usable space must satisfy the space standards guideline laid down by OFSTED; except in the case of nursery provision by the Local Education Authority where it must meet the Department for Education and Skills minimum space standards;
  iv. The scale and intensity of use should be appropriate to the size of the building and should not adversely affect the character of the area;
  v. Adequate access by public transport and car parking space for Health and Education professionals must be provided and a limited amount of car parking for staff would be desirable with high quality landscaping to minimise the effects of off-street car parking;
  vi. Adequate access by public transport and space for parents and guardians to drop off/pick up children;
  vii. A safe and secure internal and external environment for both children and staff must be provided.
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  Reason
1.24 Provision of nursery facilities is vital in the implementation of equal opportunities and access to employment. The Council is anxious that these are provided in locations and premises that are suitable for that use. As part of the strategy to promote the expansion of nursery provision policy have been developed in an Advice Note (to be updated).
 
 
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