Back to Contents - Back to Introduction   Chapter 10 COMMUNITY WELL-BEING       Introduction Guiding Principles Key Objective Core Policies CW1: NEW COMMUNITY/HEALTH FACILITIES CW2: PROTECTING EXISTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES         Canning Crescent Health Clinic       COMMUNITY WELL-BEING   Protecting and Enabling the Creation of Facilities that Support Community Life and Equal Opportunities     Introduction 10.1 Good community facilities are essential to the fabric of a successful, healthy and inclusive society. Community facilities include schools, higher education facilities, health centres, childcare providers, places of worship and community halls. 10.2 Haringey's population is made up of a vibrant mix of people from many ethnic backgrounds and different religions. Community services in Haringey play a vital role in celebrating the diversity of the people who live here, helping to reduce social exclusion and create opportunities for everybody. Where development increases the demand for community facilities, such as schools, childcare and healthcare, the Council will seek to ensure that local facilities and services are able to absorb the additional demand and it will negotiate, where appropriate, a Section 106 agreement to secure the provision of additional facilities and services (see Policy UD8). 10.3 Government guidance requires planning authorities to: "consider the relationship of planning policies and proposals to social needs and problems, including their likely impact on different groups in the population, such as ethnic minorities, religious groups, elderly and disabled people, women, single parent families, students and disadvantaged people living in deprived areas". Therefore, the plan will make provision for land, schools, higher education facilities, health facilities, places of worship and other community facilities.   10.4 Guiding Principles   Every resident in Haringey that needs a school place, a childcare place, or medical assistance, should have access to these services preferably within walking distance of where they live. The work done in Haringey's community centres and places of worship helps to support and develop the talents of a multi-ethnic population. A network of these facilities is a valuable tool with which to address inequalities, and tackle the causes of crime, social exclusion and intolerance. Haringey recognises the contribution from community and voluntary organisations to health delivery in the local area. Haringey will assist the voluntary and community sector by addressing their need for accessible and affordable accommodation. Such venues should be provided after consultation with voluntary and community organisations.   10.4 Key Objectives   To increase the overall stock of good quality community and health facilities in Haringey, especially in areas of shortage, and to improve existing facilities. To ensure that major new developments seek to promote public health and assess health impacts.     CORE POLICIES     POLICY CW1 NEW COMMUNITY/HEALTH FACILITIES Proposals for the development of new community/health facilities, or a changes of use to community/health facilities, will be considered if: a) the facility is appropriate to its location having regard to its size, purpose, use characteristics, and its relationship with adjoining and nearby development. b) the facility will meet a local need. c) the building is designed so that it can be used for more than one community purpose, where possible. d) the facility is located where it can be easily reached by walking or by public transport.   Top 10.6 Haringey needs new community facilities because the population is increasing and the demand for community facilities is growing. If any areas of deficiency in community facilities are identified then the Council will bring forward policies to direct facilities to those areas. 10.7 The Council encourages the sharing of facilities so that a building can be used by different groups for different purposes where possible. This will help to ensure the facility remains viable and makes efficient use of buildings. Examples may include educational buildings that are also used for entertainment, childcare and other educational and sports activities or health care facilities that are designed to be used for both health and social care purposes. 10.8 Further guidance on what type of buildings that are considered suitable for community facilities is given in SPG11b Buildings Suitable for Community Use.     POLICY CW2 PROTECTING EXISTING COMMUNITY FACILITIES The change of use or demolition of a community facility will only be granted planning permission in the following circumstances: a) if the facility is derelict or out of use, and no other community groups are willing or able to use it; and b) if alternative accommodation is provided.   Top 10.9 Health services, childcare and education in Haringey already have trouble meeting demand, and suitable premises are hard to find. It is important to avoid a net loss of buildings that have been given permission to operate as community facilities, as this would hinder effective services that benefit the community, and in some cases services may close as a result. 10.10 The provision of alternative accommodation can be in the form of improving other existing facilities so that a building can be used by more than one community group. Alternatively replacement community facilities can be provided within the vicinity. 10.11 Replacement community facilities that are provided as part of developments constitute an opportunity to improve the accessibility and quality of the service provided for the existing client group. If it is not possible to provide a replacement community facility a financial contribution would be requested to either fund improvements to existing facilities to enable sharing by more than one community group or to fund a new community facility.         top