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NOT TO BE PRINTED_Draft Final TAAP comments duly

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Mr Philip Raiswell Sport England Bedford 22 Policy TH 31 Disagree<br />

Mr Philip Raiswell Sport England Bedford 22 Policy TH 31 Disagree<br />

Mr Stuart Wilson Thetford Society Thetford 22 Policy TH 31 Agree<br />

Mr Stuart Wilson Thetford 22 Policy TH 31 Agree<br />

Mrs Jodie<br />

Canham Thetford 22 Policy TH 31 Agree<br />

Whilst Sport England supports the general aim to provide new or<br />

enhanced indoor sports facilities for Thetford, it is considered that<br />

the wording used in this policy is too vague to give clear policy<br />

direction on this issue. There is no definition of the types or quantity<br />

of facilities required, apart from the reference in the supporting text<br />

to future needs for sports courts and swimming lanes. The policy<br />

reads that any proposals for any new indoor sports facilities will be<br />

supported if the location is 'town centre' irrespective of the type of<br />

facility or whether there is a demonstrated need. Is that the intention<br />

of the policy? We would recommend that the policy is re-worded to<br />

define explicitly the type and scale of facilities required and stating<br />

that a suitable town centre site would be the preferred option, but out<br />

of centre sites will be considered if no town centre site is available.<br />

The supporting text refers to sports halls and swimming pools, but it<br />

is not clear whether the policy itself only refers to these types of<br />

facility or to other indoor sports facilities such as health and fitness<br />

studios, indoor bowls centres, indoor tennis centres, squash courts<br />

etc. The policy should define more clearly the range of facilities that<br />

the policy refers to. Please note that these <strong>comments</strong> refer to the<br />

wording of the policy rather than the 'robustness' of the supporting<br />

evidence base, as Sport England is not familiar with the document<br />

referred to in the supporting text.<br />

Agree, but there is a need for sports' provision being made for the<br />

south of the town. We feel that the retention of the swimming pool at<br />

the Academy's south site (formerly Charles Burrell High) along with<br />

changing facilities would be applauded. The pool could be used by<br />

the local schools and swimming club as well as opened to the public<br />

for specific periods. With the site's proximity to the sports fields on<br />

Barnham Common the changing facilities could be used by local<br />

clubs and groups. The sports facilities of the Academy (north site)<br />

could be administered on a joint use basis. One glaring omission is<br />

the provision of a synthetic Athletics track. Thetford has a thriving<br />

Athletics Club but their facilities (at the Rugby Club) are woeful<br />

compared to similar clubs around the country. Whatever the facilities<br />

it is essential that they are maintained to a high standard for future<br />

generations and a financial commitment to this effect is required.<br />

Agree, but there is a need for sports' provision being made for the<br />

south of the town. I feel that the retention of the swimming pool at the<br />

Academy's south site (formerly Charles Burrell High) along with<br />

changing facilities would be applauded. The pool could be used by<br />

the local schools and swimming club as well as opened to the public<br />

for specific periods. With the site's proximity to the sports fields on<br />

Barnham Common the changing facilities could be used by local<br />

clubs and groups. The sports facilities of the Academy (north site)<br />

could be administered on a joint use basis. One glaring omission is<br />

the provision of a synthetic Athletics track. Thetford has a thriving<br />

Athletics Club but their facilities (at the Rugby Club) are woeful<br />

compared to similar clubs around the country. Whatever the facilities<br />

it is essential that they are maintained to a high standard for future<br />

generations and a financial commitment to this effect is required.<br />

Great idea to improve sports facilities. Children and adults need to<br />

keep active. We could do with more parks with lighting to stop anti<br />

social behaviour - children need somewhere to go.<br />

Noted. Meeting held with Parkwood who are involved in the PFI<br />

with Breckland Council. The Policy has been refreshed to<br />

provide additional text on current provision and usage in<br />

Thetford, the wider catchment area which looks to Thetford for<br />

indoor sports and benchmarking against existing provision and<br />

likely requirements arising from the growth. The Council wishes<br />

to maintain some flexibility regarding the nature of indoor sports<br />

rather than provide prescriptive requirements which could<br />

change over the plan period.<br />

Noted. Meeting held with Parkwood who are involved in the PFI<br />

with Breckland Council. The Policy has been refreshed to<br />

provide additional text on current provision and usage in<br />

Thetford, the wider catchment area which looks to Thetford for<br />

indoor sports and benchmarking against existing provision and<br />

likely requirements arising from the growth. The Council wishes<br />

to maintain some flexibility regarding the nature of indoor sports<br />

rather than provide prescriptive requirements which could<br />

change over the plan period.<br />

If the Academy proposal for one site and to the north of the town<br />

goes ahead, the future use of the Charles Burrell School and its<br />

surrounds will indeed need investigating. The <strong>comments</strong> on<br />

potential retainment of some of its assets is noted. For<br />

information, please see the Thetford Community Facilities Audit<br />

which shows that the facilities at the Academy South Site<br />

(Charles Burrell school) are already hired out to the public.<br />

TH19 on community buildings seeks usage by the public of<br />

school facilities. The <strong>TAAP</strong> does not set details on particular<br />

open space uses.<br />

If the Academy proposal for one site and to the north of the town<br />

goes ahead, the future use of the Charles Burrell School and its<br />

surrounds will indeed need investigating. The <strong>comments</strong> on<br />

potential retainment of some of its assets is noted. For<br />

information, please see the Thetford Community Facilities Audit<br />

which shows that the facilities at the Academy South Site<br />

(Charles Burrell school) are already hired out to the public.<br />

TH19 on community buildings seeks usage by the public of<br />

school facilities. The <strong>TAAP</strong> does not set details on particular<br />

open space uses.<br />

Wording of the policy and supporting<br />

text to be improved to reflect<br />

meeting and representations.<br />

Wording of the policy and supporting<br />

text to be improved to reflect<br />

meeting and representations.<br />

Pass on <strong>comments</strong> to NCC. Liaise<br />

with BDC Sustainable Communities<br />

team re Athletics Track issue.<br />

Mention Athletics Track issue at<br />

PPA. Note that Athletics Club<br />

moving to Kilverstone area<br />

according to press.<br />

Pass on <strong>comments</strong> to NCC. Liaise<br />

with BDC Sustainable Communities<br />

team re Athletics Track issue.<br />

Mention Athletics Track issue at<br />

PPA. Note that Athletics Club<br />

moving to Kilverstone area<br />

according to press.<br />

The <strong>TAAP</strong> does not seek to retrofit open space provision, but<br />

does suggest the need for BDC and the Town Council to work<br />

together to meet the shortfall of play equipment as well as<br />

improve the quality and range. The Core Strategy has a section<br />

on open space to determine the provision for the Urban This issue is raised as part of the<br />

Extension.<br />

Commitments Paper.

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