Explanation OS4

10.17

Policy OS4 seeks to protect from development existing playing pitches and other formal sporting facilities which are needed by the community. The policy will apply to the following:

•  Grass playing pitches, whether public or private. It will apply equally to single pitches and to groups of pitches, and related land required for the use of the pitch;

•  Artificial playing pitches, mini and junior soccer and five a side pitches;

•  Other outdoor facilities such as golf courses, bowling greens and tennis courts;

•  Indoor sporting and recreational facilities of all types; and

•  Any land which may be currently vacant but that has been in use for sport or recreation within five years of the planning application being made.

Assessment of need for the facility

10.18

Where a planning application is submitted for a development that would lead to the total or partial loss of an existing facility the Council will assess whether that facility is surplus to requirements by reference to its "Open Space, Sport and Recreation Needs Assessment and Strategy". The applicant may seek to demonstrate through an independent assessment whether the facility is needed. This assessment should address both the quantity and quality of provision in the area, and the methodology should be agreed with the local planning authority in advance of the study commencing.  For example, in the case of grass playing pitches, other playing pitches within the area may be unusable at certain times of the year because they may be waterlogged. In these circumstances it would be appropriate to consider the number of games that can be accommodated in reality rather than the theoretical capacity of the pitch. Planning permission will not be granted unless the Council is satisfied either that the facility is no longer needed or that one of the other criteria listed within 1 b) to 1 e) within policy OS4 are met.

10.19

If a planning application for partial development for other uses is received, account must be taken of the impact of the development on the viability of the remainder of the facility.

The minimum quantitative standard for playing pitches

10.20

Provision standards will be set separately for playing pitches and other types of formal sporting facility in the Supplementary Planning Document. In terms of accessibility, studies for the Council have found that people are generally prepared to travel further to formal facilities than to informal play areas. This will be reflected in larger catchment areas for playing pitches, which are likely to be based on the boundaries of the main settlements in the Borough. This links to the Council’s investment strategy in the provision and maintenance of playing pitches. Within these areas, larger “hub sites” consisting of several pitches can make the provision of ancillary facilities such as changing rooms more viable. 

Effects of the quantitative standards in policies OS3 and OS4 on new development

10.21

New development that would lead to the loss of public open space or a playing pitch will only be permitted if the overall provision in the area would not, as a result, fall below any of the required standards or, if already below any of the standards, fall further below.

Developments affecting other areas of greenspace (i.e. not currently in use for public open space or as a playing pitch) in areas of deficiency

10.22

Some parts of Knowsley contain greenspaces which are not currently available for public use. If these sites are in an area of shortfall in public open space or playing pitch provision against the standards set by either policy OS3 or OS4, and are of a size, location or character which would make them suitable for future use which could make up the shortfall, planning applications for other forms of development which would prejudice this will be resisted. This approach will be taken irrespective of the current condition of the land and whether it is well maintained or neglected.

Dual use of school sites

10.23

Application of the standards set out in policies OS3 and OS4 will also take account of any open space within school sites which is available for use by the community as a whole. If school facilities are available (and this availability is legally enforceable by the Council as Local Planning Authority through an agreement with the school) this may make it possible to release other open space in the area for development for other uses provided that the overall amount of open space within the area (including the open space available within the school site) meets the quantitative standards in policies OS 3 and OS4.  Availability of school facilities across the Borough will vary and a practical view as to an appropriate level of dual use of facilities by schools and the local community will be required.

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