HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

In assessing proposals the Local Planning Authority also will have regard to:-
(a) any local deficiency of accessible open space in terms of hierarchy in Table 9.1;
(b) the suitability of the site for other types of open land uses in the light of advice from
those departments providing leisure and recreational facilities, the London Council for
Sport and Recreation, and other representative bodies;
(c) the ecological, structural and other functions of the open space and the extent to which
these are compatible with the proposed development; and
(d) whether the users of the facility can be satisfactorily accommodated elsewhere in the
vicinity.
R5 THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY WILL NOT GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION
FOR PROPOSALS WHICH INVOLVE THE LOSS OF LAND OR BUILDINGS USED (OR
WHERE THE LAST AUTHORISED USE WAS FOR) A SPORTS STADIUM, OUTDOOR OR
INDOOR SPORTS AND LEISURE FACILITIES, PUBLIC OR COMMUNITY MEETING
HALLS, OR RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENTS ACTIVITIES, UNLESS
ADEQUATE, ACCESSIBLE, ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE.
In assessing such proposals the Local Planning Authority will also have regard to:-
(a)
(b)
(c)
The suitability or potential of the premises to serve the recreational and leisure needs of
people living within walking distance, and also within 3.2km;
The availability, location and accessibility of other existing or proposed alternatives for
people who use the premises;
The alternative uses suitable for any existing building which is architecturally worthy of
retention.
Promoting Participation
9.9 All Council-run sports centres in the Borough are well used by the public and there are waiting
lists for club use. It is recognised that the use of these facilities could be increased by providing further
outdoor floodlit all-weather surfaces adjacent to sports halls and centres for sports such as five-a-side
football and netball to allow more indoor hall time for other users. The Council continues to encourage the
multiple or more intensive use of school and publicly owned buildings for public recreation and leisure,
particularly where they have the potential to serve the needs of persons living within walking, cycling, or a
short (under 3.2km) car/bus journey's distance.
9.10 Even with adequate provision for the Borough's population some people may not make use of
recreational facilities. Non-participation, whether by choice or for other reasons such as problems with
accessibility or fear of safety, represents an under-use of facilities as well as a lost opportunity for the
public. The Council is particularly concerned to ensure participation of people with disabilities (for whom
access to indoor facilities is the main problem), those with caring responsibilities which tie them to the
home, ethnic groups requiring facilities suited to their culture, elderly people who require different facilities
and unemployed people who may not be able to afford facilities.
9.11 In many cases people may be prevented from participating simply because they have no
information on what facilities are available. The Council can help by publicising what is available and
encouraging owners and providers of facilities to do the same. Nevertheless, where despite these measures
there remains an absence or shortage of facilities, or a threat to existing facilities, the Local Planning
Authority will seek to encourage provision by, for example, entering into agreements with developers to
provide suitable recreational, leisure or community facilities as part of their development proposals.
9.12 With increasing demands for outdoor sports facilities such as pay and play golf there have been
demands for adequate levels of ancillary facilities. Although increasing provision of changing rooms,
clubhouses and car parking may encourage participation, their location can cause conflict with other
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan