Box 21 - Preferred Strategy for Health, Recreation and Community Facilities
Object
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19111
Received: 16/01/2009
Respondent: Hastings Central Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, on behalf of Jehovah's Witnesses living in the Rother area
These representations are made in the apparent absence of any other option to comment on policy regarding places of worship.
These representations are made to establish a framework in land use planning policy that provides a basis upon which sites suitable for construction of places of worship may be obtained.
Clarify that places of worship are included in the provisions for community facilities in the Core Strategy in line with national and regional guidelines.
Please clarify that "community facilities" include places of worship.
This is in line with the following national and regional guidance.
The South East Plan, page 231, 11. Community Infrastructure 11.1 states "Given the expected growth in the region's population, there will inevitably be a need for additional investment in community infrastructure -childcare; community centres; village halls; places of worship"
Places of worship were specifically included as community facilities in line with the Draft South East Plan - Pre Submission Consultation Statement (March 06) which stated on page 54 Key Issues "Need to provide a stronger emphasis on community facilities/ infrastructure to provide services and provide focus for the community, and include places of worship as an important part of the infrastructure". Key Changes/ Response "places of worship has been added to supporting text"
The South East Plan, Secretary of State's Proposed Changes, Summary Prepared by SEERA (July 2008) states on page 11, 15.4 "It is proposed that "Community Infrastructure" includes reference to the need for local authorities to consult with those delivering services using community infrastructure (such as Third Sector and Faith Organisations) to ensure appropriate design and location of facilities, in line with the Panel's recommendations."
The SEERA response to the proposed changes (22/10/08) confirmed that the proposed changes were supported by SEERA.
The Rother District Local Plan (adopted July 2006) under section 7. Community Facilities, New and improved community facilities, states "Village halls and community centres can be regarded as vital community facilities. Also, valuable in community life are churches.......and similar organisations for the significant sections of the population."
OPDM Diversity and Equality in Planning
Page 11, paragraph 1: Planning should aim to improve the lives of the widest cross-section of society. Society today is made up of diverse individuals of varying... faiths.
Page 37, 3.7.1 The CEHR will also deal with equality issues relating to discrimination on the
grounds of ... faith and belief. The CEHR will work with other standard-setting agencies and inspectorates to ensure that public service providers comply with equalities and human rights legislation and take an integrated approach towards adopting good equalities and human rights practices.
Page 88, Box - ;'Good Practice Points: Effective Community Engagement."
1. Links should be made with relevant Council departments and other Councils, regeneration initiatives, local and national voluntary sector agencies, Planning Aid, local community meeting places including places of worship, local universities, developers, etc. Planners don't always have to start from scratch and do everything themselves and should make good use of existing activities, information sources and groups - including local access groups. This also helps to deliver an integrated service.
Page 158, "Leicester: Monitoring of Planning Applications"
Places of worship: The planning department took a proactive approach helping with site searches. The approach was structured, with the issuing of registration forms and checking the financial viability of groups. This promoted a greater understanding of the issues, in particular the need for a local facility to serve particular faith communities. Planning policy was amended to permit the consideration of the development of places of worship on sites that had previously been reserved for employment uses. Postgraduate student research exploring housing aspirations of Asian families highlighted the importance of being located near a place of worship.
Key Lessons
A proactive and professional approach to planning applications and siting of places of worship gave confidence in the planning system to the community, promoting trust.
Page 180, Diversity - A recognition that society, such as England today, is made up of many different people with cross-cutting bases for identity, e.g. ...faith group.
ODPM Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development
Page 8, paragraph 16. "Plan policies should...take into account the needs of all the community, including particular requirements relating to...religion..."
Page 17, 42. Planning Authorities should build a clear understanding of the make-up, interests and needs of the communities in their areas. Communities will be made up of many different interest groups, for example, relating to a particular place, ... values or religion. Some of these will be well established and represented. But some groups may be less well equipped to engage with the planning system. An inclusive approach should be taken to ensure that different groups have the opportunity to participate and are not disadvantaged in the process.
Comment
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19167
Received: 26/01/2009
Respondent: Mr Nigel Jennings
Given that there is a shortfall in the provision of allotments across the district I am surprised that Rother has disposed of allotment land in Rye in the last couple of years for the new school. A further area adjacent to the new school, that should be reverted back to allotments is being held back and it is suspected being looked at as an area to develop. Surely this is against the domonstrated need for allotments in this document.
Given that there is a shortfall in the provision of allotments across the district I am surprised that Rother has disposed of allotment land in Rye in the last couple of years for the new school. A further area adjacent to the new schoo, that should be reverted back to allotments is being held back and it is suspected being looked at as an area to develop. Surely this is against the domonstrated need for allotments in this document.
Object
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19275
Received: 29/01/2009
Respondent: Cllr Mary Smith
Object to Rother's new accessibility standard of 20 minutes for walk time to allotment sites. This overrides previous standard of 15 minutes walk time.
Object to Rother's new accessibility standard of 20 minutes for walk time to allotment sites. This overrides previous standard of 15 minutes walk time.
Comment
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19276
Received: 29/01/2009
Respondent: Cllr Mary Smith
To emphasise importance of community halls and centres and their key role in community. To resist loss of provision and assist in facilitating new provision sufficient for community needs. Example Tilling Green estate, Rye
To emphasise importance of community halls and centres and their key role in community. To resist loss of provision and assist in facilitating new provision sufficient for community needs. Example Tilling Green estate, Rye
Support
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19505
Received: 30/01/2009
Respondent: Guestling Parish Council
The strategy outlined in Box 21 seems good.
Object
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19629
Received: 30/01/2009
Respondent: Campaign for a Democratic Rye
Allotments
The importance of these is recognised. Their integrity against development must be recognised. Proposals to construct public footpaths through them should be resisted.
(Box 21c.Comment).
We object to the accessibility standard of 20 minutes to allotments. We should return to the previous standard of 15 minutes. (Box 21c .Object).
Comment
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19755
Received: 30/01/2009
Respondent: Land Securities plc
Agent: CgMs Consulting
Box 21 Preferred Strateav for Health. Recreation and Community Facilities
Council's leisure assessment and public consultation undertaken suggests a lack of swimming pools in the District; which rises by 2026. On the other hand, there is current oversupply of indoor bowls of 0.76 rinks; however without any action, there would be a shortfall of 0.17 rinks by 2026.
Comments:
Land Securities supports the relocation of the swimming pool and bowling alley from Ravenside Retail Park to enable the centralisation of leisure facilities in a new multi-purpose leisure centre.
Comment
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19844
Received: 04/02/2009
Respondent: Crowhurst Society
Box 21
For Crowhurst important to have a), b) -in fact the provision of a good b) would improve the a).
e) Would seem to make sense provided the gap for such developments is strictly monitored.
Object
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19952
Received: 28/01/2009
Respondent: Ewhurst Parish Council
Objection to the increased accessibility standard of 20 minutes walk time to allotments as recommended within PPG17. The previous 15 minutes walk time should be retained.
Object
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19953
Received: 28/01/2009
Respondent: Ewhurst Parish Council
The document should recognise the need to protect the integrity of existing allotments. Any proposal to construct public footpaths through allotment sites should be resisted.
Object
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19959
Received: 28/01/2009
Respondent: Ewhurst Parish Council
The document should recognise the importance of community halls/centre and their key role within their community.
Comment
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 19985
Received: 29/01/2009
Respondent: SEERA
The document could usefully include overarching guidance on infrastructure to incorporate the requirements of policies CC7 and CC8 using the infrastructure definition set out in Box CC2 of the South East Plan. This may be achieved by expanding on the contents of Box 21 in the consultation document.
Support
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 20297
Received: 29/01/2009
Respondent: SEEDA
SEEDA supports the objectives of Box 21 in general.
Object
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 20298
Received: 29/01/2009
Respondent: SEEDA
No specific mention is made to childcare facilities. They should be acknowledged and supported by planning policies.
Object
Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008
Representation ID: 20409
Received: 29/01/2009
Respondent: Sussex Wildlife Trust
The value of sites for informal recreation (e.g. SNCls) and countryside and coastal rights of way should be promoted in order to encourage appropriate management and delivery towards Natural England's ANGST standards.