Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

are issues of access to and/or capacity of playing pitches. This is particularlyan issue for mini-soccer pitches in Northfleet, East Gravesend and the ruralarea and for cricket, junior football and rugby pitches in much of the urbanarea.5.8.5 The study found that there are sufficient quantities of some sportsfacilities to meet the needs of the current population, e.g. swimming pools,sports halls. However, more health and fitness facilities are needed to meetthe needs of the existing population. There is a need for some qualitativeimprovements to some facilities, e.g. multi-use games areas, indoor tenniscourts. There are issues of access to and/or capacity of sports facilities insome locations, for example health and fitness facilities in Central and SouthGravesend and outdoor tennis courts in much of Gravesend and Northfleet.5.8.6 There is a clear need to address existing deficiencies identified in theGravesham Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study as well as needsarising from new development. The natural growth in the Borough'spopulation over the plan period, the Council's priority to encourage people toincrease their level of physical activity and the ageing population will affect theamounts and types of playing pitches and sports facilities needed in theBorough in the future. The Council will work to address these needs throughsetting standards and considering site allocations in the Site Allocations andDevelopment Management Policies Development Plan Document. TheCouncil's strategy is to: protect existing green space, playing pitch and othersports facilities; address existing deficiencies; and make provision to meetfuture demands.Policy CS13: Green Space, Sport and Recreation5.8.7 The Borough Council will seek to make adequate provision for andto protect and enhance the quantity, quality and accessibility of greenspace, playing pitches and other sports facilities, in accordance with thefindings of the Gravesham Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study.5.8.8 A set of consistent green space, playing pitch and sports provisionstandards will be established which will apply to all new development.164