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CHAPTER 6 - Recreation and Community Services
     
6.1 Recreation
6.2 Outdoor Playing Space
6.3 Informal Recreation
6.4 Community Services
 
This part of the Local Plan looks at sport and recreation in the District and at how recreational needs will be catered for over the next ten years. The City Council is committed to protecting outdoor playing space and areas used for informal recreation. It will also seek to improve provision wherever possible. In particular, in the main urban area of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham, it will work towards the provision of 2.43 ha (6 acres) of useable outdoor playing space per 1000 people and to improve the supply of public informal recreation areas.
This part of the Plan also looks at how the changing way in which public services such as health and education are provided will affect the District.
 
   
  The City Council aims to:
 
  • assess local needs for recreational facilities and identify deficiencies;
  • encourage the development of new sport and recreation facilities and additional open space;
  • ensure that recreation and community service provision is properly co-ordinated with other local plan proposals, particularly the development of new neighbourhoods; and
  • ensure that the land-use needs of public and community services are met in an environmentally acceptable way.
  The City Council proposes to:
 
  • protect existing recreation facilities from development;
  • require developers of new housing areas to improve local provision of open space and children's play areas;
  • develop a new park in central Morecambe and concentrate other initiatives on the River Lune, Lancaster Canal, Morecambe Promenade and the Lancashire Coastal Way;
  • continue to develop Salt Ayre as the District's main centre for sport and recreation;
  • safeguard a site for a new secondary school at Barton Road, Lancaster and provide for new a primary schools as part of the proposed Lancaster Moor neighbourhoods; and
  • safeguard sites for a new fire station for Morecambe at Westgate and a Community Centre at Carnforth.
 
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6.1 Recreation
  Background
6.1.1 This part of the Local Plan looks at the amount and quality of recreation provision in Lancaster District and how it is used by both residents and visitors. There are two types of recreation provision. These are;
 
  • Facilities for formal sport including pitches, greens, courts and playing fields; and
  • Informal recreation areas for walking, cycling, relaxing and children's play.
  The Local Situation
6.1.2 The following paragraphs describe the current provision of recreational open space in the various parts of the District, starting with Morecambe and Heysham.
   
  Morecambe and Heysham
6.1.3 Morecambe's promenade is its most important area of public open space. Happy Mount Park and Regent Park are its only formal parks and it also has few sports grounds and accessible open spaces. Open space in Heysham is also concentrated on the seafront although Douglas Park and Heysham Village offer opportunities for formal and informal recreation.
   
  Lancaster
6.1.4 Although Lancaster contains Williamson Park and Ryelands Park, the densely developed housing areas which ring the City Centre are short of accessible open space. Most sporting facilities are located between Lancaster and Morecambe at Salt Ayre, the Vale of Lune and Lancaster and Morecambe College. Salt Ayre also serves Morecambe and Heysham whilst the facilities at the University of Lancaster are also available to the public.
   
  Carnforth
6.1.5 Carnforth is a densely developed town which has little high quality open space. The previous Carnforth Local Plan identified a need for a youth and community centre, improved sporting facilities and new and improved play areas. It also proposed a linear park based on the Lancaster Canal which could link together improved areas of recreation space as well as providing a pleasant route to the countryside.
   
  Rural Areas
6.1.6 In the rural villages and open countryside, recreation facilities tend to be provided on a village by village basis and supported by local clubs and organisations. Not surprisingly, larger villages such as Caton and Galgate are fairly well provided for in terms of playing fields although smaller villages such as Claughton and Millhead have active sports teams. Demand for recreation facilities varies across the rural part of the District and is best dealt with on an area by area basis.
 
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6.2 Outdoor Playing Space
6.2.1 This part of the Local Plan looks at the provision of outdoor playing space in the District. It concentrates on the main urban area of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham and looks at how the supply of outdoor playing space compares with the standards set by the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA). In Carnforth and the rural areas, where the population is more dispersed and there is less scope for dual use or the introduction of artificial pitches, the NPFA Standard is harder to apply. In these areas, requests for outdoor playing space will be dealt with on a site by site basis.
   
  Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham
6.2.2 Most of the demand for outdoor playing space is generated by the 100,000 residents of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham, where there is a long standing shortage of recreational provision. Although there has been an overall improvement in the amount and quality of sporting facilities in recent years, mainly due to the development of the Salt Ayre Sports Centre, a combination of population growth and an increasing awareness of the benefits of keeping fit has meant that demand for sporting facilities has continued to grow.
6.2.3 The National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) has set a recommended minimum standard for outdoor playing space of 2.43 hectares per 1000 population. This standard is generally accepted as being a reliable guide to the adequacy of recreation provision and is widely used throughout the country. To meet this target, there should be around 240 hectares of outdoor playing space in the urban area of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham. However, as Figure 18 illustrates, there are currently around 150 hectares of sports pitches and other play areas located within this area.
6.2.4 The NPFA defines outdoor playing space as;
 
  • facilities such as pitches, greens, courts etc in public ownership which are, as a matter of practise and policy available for public use;
  • similar facilities privately owned which serve the leisure needs for outdoor recreation of their members or the public; and
  (Together this type of facility should account for between 1.6 ha and 1.8 ha of the overall total, i.e. between 160 and 180 ha for the main urban area).
 
  • outdoor equipped playgrounds for children of whatever age; and
  • casual or informal playspace within housing areas.
  (These areas make up the remainder of the 2.43 ha).
   
  Figure 18 - Outdoor Playing Space in Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham
 
  1991Resident Population Formal Sports Facilities (ha) Informal Recreational Open Space (ha)
Lancaster 44,500 61.3 19.1
Morecambe and Heysham 45,000 38.8 12.6
Lancaster University not applicable 12.1 7.5
URBAN AREA TOTAL 89,500 112.2 39.2
  Note) Formal Sports Facilities are defined as open areas available for and capable of being used for soccer, cricket, rugby, hockey, tennis, bowls or other outdoor sport requiring a marked out pitch. Informal Recreation Areas are defined as open areas which are fully accessible to the public for walking and other informal pursuits.
   
6.2.5 Figure 18 shows that, even with the provision at Lancaster University and the development at Salt Ayre, the urban area is still short of the outdoor playing space and other play areas in the main urban area to meet the NPFA standard. Although at Salt Ayre and Lancaster University, the shortage of sports pitches has been addressed by building all-weather, floodlit pitches, these are not suitable for some competitive sports such as football.
   
  The Future
6.2.6 The Local Plan will see a further increase in the demand for outdoor playing space. The steady population growth forecast for the District is likely to be accompanied by increased participation levels in sport and recreation.
6.2.7 Formal recreation facilities in Lancaster and Morecambe will continue to be concentrated on Salt Ayre where a new swimming pool, athletics track and additional indoor facilities have recently been completed. Elsewhere, both St Martins and Lancaster and Morecambe Colleges propose to construct all weather pitches and develop their sporting facilities.
6.2.8 Given the shortage of outdoor playing space, all sports pitches currently available for public use should be protected from development. Exceptions will only be permitted where there is a clear justification for development and this is accompanied by the provision of complementary facilities within the immediate vicinity of the proposal. Such facilities should be comparable to those lost in terms of the amount and quality of recreation space provided and convenience to local residents and users. Compensatory provision must be available for use before the existing facilities are lost.
 
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  POLICY R1
  THE AREAS IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP AS OUTDOOR PLAYING SPACE WILL BE PROTECTED FROM DEVELOPMENT.
  THE AREAS IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP AS OUTDOOR PLAYING SPACE WILL BE PROTECTED FROM DEVELOPMENT.
     
  All Weather Pitches
6.2.9 All weather pitches have been developed at Salt Ayre and Lancaster University and both Lancaster and Morecambe College and St Martin's College have plans to construct such facilities. Other educational establishments may also look to develop such facilities.
6.2.10 Although the provision of all weather pitches is generally supported, careful consideration will be given to;
 
  • the visual impact that the proposal would have on the surrounding area;
  • the effect that floodlighting and late night activity would have on nearby residents and businesses;
  • the loss of grass playing fields which accommodate competitive sports.
 
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  POLICY R2
  PROPOSALS FOR ALL WEATHER SPORTS PITCHES WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE THE PROPOSAL, INCLUDING ANCILLARY FEATURES SUCH AS FENCING, FLOODLIGHTING, CHANGING FACILITIES AND CAR PARKING WOULD NOT HAVE AN ADVERSE VISUAL IMPACT OR RESULT IN AN UNACCEPTABLE NUISANCE TO NEARBY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.
     
  Major Sports Clubs
6.2.11 The District has a number of sports clubs which compete in national or regional leagues. Morecambe Football Club competes successfully in the Nationwide Conference League and is only one step away from the Football League. Lancaster City Football Club, meanwhile, is only one division lower in the Unibond League Premier Division. Both clubs have aspirations to play at a higher level and are looking to upgrade their facilities. In Rugby Union, the Vale of Lune Club have ambitions to improve their status in the national league and is looking to improve its playing and training facilities. In the summer months, both Morecambe and Lancaster Cricket Clubs compete successfully in the Northern League.
6.2.12 As local sports clubs develop, there will be requests to upgrade facilities for both players and supporters. As many existing grounds are close to residential areas, development proposals and a build up of activity on match days could affect local householders. Such proposals should not lead to unacceptable levels of on-street parking, noise and disturbance, particularly at night and clubs proposing to develop their facilities must address these issues at an early stage.
 
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  POLICY R3
  DEVELOPMENT WITHIN A MAJOR SPORTS GROUND IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP WILL BE ALLOWED WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT;
  DIRECTLY RELATES TO THE SPORTS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE SPECIFIC TO THE SITE; AND
  THE COUNCIL IS SATISIFIED THAT ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF SPORTS GROUND DEVELOPMENT ON THE AMENITIES OF THE SURROUNDING AREA
     
  New Outdoor Playing Space
6.2.13 In Carnforth and the rural areas, it is more difficult to gauge demand for playing space. Carnforth and the larger villages act as centres for a wide, dispersed catchment area. Demand for rural play space should, wherever possible, be directed to these locations. In general, suitable proposals to improve play space provision in Carnforth and the villages will be encouraged provided that it would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area or nearby residents. These criteria will also apply to proposals for new outdoor playing space in the urban part of the District.
 
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  POLICY R4
  PROPOSALS FOR OUTDOOR PLAYING SPACE WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE;
    THE FACILITY WILL MEET DEMANDS GENERATED LOCALLY;
    THE SITE IS LOCATED WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO THE MAIN URBAN AREAS OF LANCASTER, MORECAMBE OR CARNFORTH OR A RURAL SETTLEMENT IDENTIFIED IN POLICY H7, AND
    THE PROPOSAL WOULD NOT RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER OF THE AREA, NATURE CONSERVATION INTERESTS OR THE AMENITY OF NEARBY RESIDENTS.
     
  Golf Courses
6.2.14 Golf is growing rapidly in popularity and demand for new courses is likely to continue to increase during the life of this Local Plan. In this District, new nine hole courses have recently been opened at Conder Valley and Ashton Hall. Golf courses can take up a considerable amount of land and can change the appearance of an area quite significantly. Generally speaking golf courses are an acceptable use in the countryside provided that considerations such as the loss of agricultural land, landscape impact, nature conservation and water abstraction are fully taken into account and any ancillary development does not have a significant adverse effect on the surrounding area or properties. Wherever possible, new courses should be located as close as possible to the main centres of population and be accessible by public transport.
6.2.15 Whilst there is scope to allow more golf courses in the District, because of their impact on the landscape they will not normally be allowed in the Arnside Silverdale or Forest of Bowland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Exceptions will only be considered where the highest possible standards of landscaping are used and the proposals conserve the natural beauty of the landscape and local landscape characteristics.
 
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  POLICY R5
  EXCEPTIONALLY PROPOSALS FOR GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE PERMITTED IN THE DESIGNATED AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY, ONLY IF, HAVING REGARD TO THE CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE LOCALITY, THEY CONSERVE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE LANDSCAPE AND CONFORM TO THE CRITERIA LISTED IN POLICY R6.
  Policy Not Saved with effect from 27 September 2007
 
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  POLICY R6
  OUTSIDE THE AONBs, NEW GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE THE PROPOSAL WOULD NOT:
    RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE BEST AND MOST VERSATILE AGRICULTURAL LAND OR SUBSTANTIALLY ERODE THE VIABILITY OF A FARM HOLDING;
    HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON NATURE CONSERVATION INTERESTS; AND
    HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF THE LANDSCAPE OR THE AMENITIES OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
  IN CONSIDERING SUCH PROPOSALS, PARTICULAR REGARD WILL BE GIVEN TO THE REMODELLING OF LAND FORMS, CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROADS, CAR PARKS AND ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AND THE ADVANTAGES OF LOCATING GOLF COURSES CLOSE TO EXISTING SETTLEMENTS, MAIN ROAD CONNECTIONS AND RAIL AND BUS SERVICES.
   
  Golf Driving Ranges
6.2.16 There are currently two golf driving ranges in the District, located at Ashton Hall and Lancaster Leisure Park. Golf driving ranges differ from conventional courses in that they occupy a smaller area, are fully used throughout the year and are normally floodlit to allow nighttime use. As a visit to a driving range takes less time than a round of golf, turnover is significantly higher particularly at times of the year when conventional courses cannot be used. As such, facilities such as floodlighting, car parking and covered bays are important components of a successful scheme.
6.2.17 To minimise the need to travel and protect the countryside, golf driving ranges are best located close to the main urban area with good access to public transport. Alternatively a location associated with an existing golf course or other leisure activity may be acceptable where this would lead to a sharing of facilities such as car parking. Isolated locations in the countryside will not normally be considered appropriate.
6.2.18 In all instances, the potential impact that a proposal and its associated floodlighting, boundary fences and traffic generation would have, both on the appearance of the area and the safety and amenity of local residents will be important considerations.
 
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  POLICY R7
  NEW GOLF DRIVING RANGES WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE THE PROPOSAL:
    IS LOCATED IN, OR ON THE EDGE OF LANCASTER, MORECAMBE, HEYSHAM OR CARNFORTH OR IS ASSOCIATED WITH AN EXISTING GOLF COURSE OR OTHER LEISURE FACILITY;
    DOES NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON NATURE CONSERVATION INTERESTS; AND
    WOULD NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF THE LANDSCAPE OR THE AMENITY OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
  Note; Proposals which are located in the Green Belt will also have to satisfy the provisions of Policy R8
   
  Recreation Facilities in the Green Belt
6.2.19 Within the North Lancashire Green Belt, new development is strictly controlled. Land within the Green Belt can provide opportunities for access to the open countryside for the urban population in Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth. It can also provide a suitable location for outdoor sport and recreation near these urban areas. Although the construction of new buildings inside the Green Belt is normally inappropriate, essential facilities for outdoor sport and recreation may be permissible. These could provide small changing rooms or unobtrusive spectator accommodation for outdoor sport. Sport England has provided standards on the minimum sizes required for changing facilities.
 
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  POLICY R8
  WITHIN THE NORTH LANCASHIRE GREEN BELT PROPOSALS FOR NEW OUTDOOR SPORT AND RECREATION FACILITIES WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE THEY;
    RETAIN THE OPEN CHARACTER OF THE GREEN BELT; AND
    DO NOT HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE OR NATURE CONSERVATION INTERESTS;
  NEW BUILDINGS AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH PROPOSALS WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE THESE ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE OPERATION OF THE PROPOSED FACILITY AND ARE OF THE MINIMUM RECOMMENDED SIZE
  Policy Not Saved with effect from 27 September 2007
   
  Salt Ayre
6.2.20 The development at Salt Ayre Sports Centre has provided indoor wet and dry facilities, outdoor all weather and grass sports pitches and a synthetic athletics track for the whole district.
6.2.21 Future development at Salt Ayre will involve the reclamation of the adjoining waste disposal site. This will provide additional sports pitches, opportunities for informal recreation and woodland planting. Measures to improve access by public transport, foot and bicycle will also be pursued and better links established to the Lune Riverside Park and nearby cycle path.
  THE CITY COUNCIL WILL SEEK TO ENSURE THAT COMPLETED SECTIONS OF SALT AYRE LANDFILL SITE ARE RESTORED FOR RECREATION USE AND BROUGHT INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE
 
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6.3 Informal Recreation
6.3.1 Informal recreation takes many forms from casual children's play to walking, cycling and water sports. The District provides many opportunities for informal recreation both in the built-up and rural areas. However, demand is increasing and recreation pressures can cause problems particularly in sensitive or vulnerable areas.
6.3.2 The improvement of informal recreation provision in suitable locations will continue. In particular, opportunities to develop recreational facilities along the River Lune, the Lancaster Canal and the coast and new facilities in areas within and close to the main built-up area such as Middleton Wood and Morecambe Central Park will be pursued.
   
  South Heysham
6.3.3 Policy E26 allocates around 100 hectares of land for woodland planting at Middleton Wood, south Heysham where a major new woodland and recreational area is proposed. This will be supplemented by additional woodland planting near Middleton Wood on a number of other sites. This initiative will improve the appearance of this neglected area and bring a major boost to the stock of open space.
6.3.4 Located close to the expanding built-up area of Heysham, Middleton Wood will bring opportunities to improve footpath and bridle way links between Heysham, the wood and surrounding countryside and coastline. It will act as a focus for informal recreation in the south Heysham area. The housing areas at Higher Heysham, Mossgate and Middleton are all within easy reach of the wood whilst links can be established with the coastline at Half Moon Bay and beyond.
6.3.5 Creating this network can be achieved through drawing together the various initiatives, either ongoing or planned in this area. In particular, development of visitor facilities at Heysham Power Station and the potential access improvements to the coastline at Heysham Head and Throbshaw Point should be linked to the Middleton Wood.
  THE CITY COUNCIL WILL GIVE PRIORITY TO IMPROVING THE FOOTPATH, BRIDLEWAY AND CYCLEWAY NETWORK IN THE SOUTH HEYSHAM AREA AND WILL ENSURE THAT PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS HELP TO ACHIEVE A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF ROUTES LINKING WOODLAND, HOUSING AREAS, COUNTRYSIDE AND COASTLINE
   
  The Lune Riverside Park
6.3.6 The River Lune is one of the District's main recreational resources. It is now possible to walk or cycle along a 19km stretch of converted railway track bed between Caton and Glasson Dock. Car parking and picnic facilities are available at six locations along the route.
6.3.7 The City Council will continue to promote recreational access along the banks of the River Lune for pedestrians, cyclists and water users and encourage the provision, in appropriate locations, of facilities such as information/ interpretation displays, seating and toilets. It will also look at ways in which access for disabled people, and the condition and surroundings of the routes can be improved. In particular it will promote and support initiatives which improve the riverside though Lancaster and look at ways in which lottery money can be used to bring about a radical improvement to this stretch of water side.
   
  The Canalside Park
6.3.8 The Lancaster Canal is highly valued by visitors and residents for its quiet attractions and the unusual and contrasting views it offers both within the urban areas of Lancaster and Carnforth and in the open countryside. The Canal is navigable south of Tewitfield whilst the spur to Glasson Dock provides access to the sea.
6.3.9 In total, there is public access to around 40 km of canal towpath within the District. This in turn gives access to Kendal in the north and Preston in the south. Although the canal was bisected by construction of the M6, the Lancaster Canal Trust is committed to restoring the northern reaches for cruising and amenity use. If this did occur, the recreation potential of the canal would increase.
6.3.10 Boating activity is concentrated in Lancaster and at the marinas located in Galgate, Carnforth and Tewitfield. There is no indication at present that boating activity or demand for mooring space will increase during the plan period. Initiatives will therefore concentrate on improving the towpath for walking and cycling, promoting opportunities for better pedestrian links to the canal towpath and between the canal and surrounding areas.
   
  Morecambe and Heysham Seafront
6.3.11 Morecambe Promenade is one of the main attractions of the Town. Walking between Bare and Heysham is a popular pastime for many visitors and local residents. However to reach the Promenade from car parks, hotels and the town centre, it is necessary to cross Marine Road. Development along the seafront must improve pedestrian links between the Promenade and the landward side of Marine Road.
6.3.12 The improvement of attractions along the seafront will continue as modern attractions based on the natural heritage of Morecambe Bay are developed.
6.3.13 The City Council is committed to providing better cycling facilities along Morecambe Seafront and has resolved to allow cycling along the central stretch of the Promenade for a 12 month experimental period following completion of the Phase 5 coastal protection works. This experimental period will be closely monitored before a final decision is made.
   
  Morecambe Central Park
6.3.14 In central Morecambe, there is a particular shortage of publicly accessible open space. In the Westgate area, the Morecambe and Heysham Local Plan identified the area surrounding the Trimpell Sports Club at Westgate as a Priority Greenspace where potential exists to;
 
  • upgrade the quality of open space;
  • increase the amount of space which is available to the public; and
  • increase the number and quality of footpaths and cycle links particularly from surrounding residential areas and the Lancaster to Morecambe Cycle Path.
6.3.15 The Council will work with the landowners to find ways in which these ideas can be realised and will seek funding from the National Lottery for a major upgrading of this area with a view to creating a formal park area. It will also ensure that development proposals for the Westgate area are implemented in a comprehensive manner and contribute to the upgrading of recreational space.
   
  The Lancashire Coastal Way
6.3.16 Lancashire County Council is currently promoting a footpath around the County's coastline, a long stretch of which passes through the District. The City Council will work with the County Council to promote informal recreational use of this route.
   
  Diagram 26 - Morecambe Central Park
 
 
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  POLICY R9
  THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONCENTRATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INFORMAL RECREATION IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS;
    THE LUNE RIVERSIDE PARK
THE LANCASTER CANALSIDE PARK
MORECAMBE CENTRAL PARK
MORECAMBE AND HEYSHAM SEAFRONT
THE LANCASTER COASTAL WAY
  WITHIN THESE AREAS THE COUNCIL WILL WORK WITH LANDOWNERS AND INTERESTED BODIES TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE AND SAFETY OF THE ROUTES AND TO PROVIDE BETTER PUBLIC ACCESS. THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO SEEK TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO AND WITHIN THE AREAS BY FOOT, BICYCLE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
  Policy wholly superseded by policies within the Core Strategy with effect from 23 July 2008
   
  Equestrian Development
6.3.17 The use of land for keeping horses is becoming increasingly popular. This type of development is best located on the edge of existing settlements, preferably close to bridle ways or other safe riding routes. Ancillary development should be kept to a minimum and existing buildings re-used wherever possible. Proposals which include a residential element will be looked at particularly carefully and will be judged against the provisions of Policy H8 (Housing in the Countryside).
 
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  POLICY R10
  THE COUNCIL WILL PERMIT PROPOSALS FOR EQUESTRIAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WHERE;
    THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND ANY ASSOCIATED BUILDINGS ARE APPROPRIATE TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS IN TERMS OF DESIGN, SCALE, MATERIALS, LANDSCAPING AND MEANS OF ENCLOSURE;
    EXISTING BUILDINGS ON THE SITE ARE MADE USE OF WHEREVER POSSIBLE;
    THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT HAVE AN UNACCEPTABLE IMPACT ON RURAL ROADS AND CONTAINS SUITABLE ACCESS AND CAR PARKING PROVISION;
    THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON ANY WILDLIFE HABITAT, THE BEST AND MOST VERSATILE AGRICULTURAL LAND OR ANY PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY; AND
    THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS CONVENIENT TO AN ADEQUATE NETWORK OF BRIDLEWAYS AND/OR SAFE RIDING ROUTES.
  IN CONSIDERING SUCH PROPOSALS, THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE PARTICULAR REGARD TO THE ADVANTAGES OF LOCATING EQUESTRIAN DEVELOPMENT CLOSE TO EXISTING SETTLEMENTS
   
  Open Space and Children's Play Areas in New Housing Development
6.3.18 The provision of adequate facilities for children's play is essential to their development and the quality of their lives. It is important that new housing developments are provided with a hierarchy of play facilities suitable for children of all ages. Toddlers play areas need direct supervision and should be located within the housing areas themselves whilst play areas for older children should be sufficiently large and located in a position to minimise nuisance.
6.3.19 In densely developed urban areas such as Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham, it is particularly important that adequate levels of play provision are provided. The requirements for play areas and kickabout space are set out in Appendix 1. Developers will be expected to ensure that such areas are properly designed, laid out, equipped and maintained.
6.3.20 In considering housing proposals, the Council will only require recreational open space, children's play space and maintenance necessitated by the development itself. The Council will have regard to the NPFA 'Six Acre Standard in assessing the level of open space provision. Developments of 20 or more family houses should provide play space for pre-school children whilst developments of 40 or more family houses should provide play equipment for children of ages up to eleven.
 
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  POLICY R11
  HOUSING DEVELOPERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE OPEN SPACE AND PLAYGROUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARDS SET OUT IN APPENDIX 1.
  WHERE A DEVELOPER IS UNWILLING TO MAKE SUCH PROVISION WITHOUT SOUND REASON, PLANNING PERMISSION WILL BE REFUSED.
  OPEN SPACE PROVIDED IN THIS WAY WILL BE REGARDED AS URBAN GREENSPACE AND PROTECTED FROM DEVELOPMENT IN LINE WITH POLICY E29
  TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED GREENSPACE AND SECURE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS ITS MAINTENANCE, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NEGOTIATE LEGAL AGREEMENTS WITH HOUSING DEVELOPERS.
   
  Allotments
6.3.21 There are 13 allotments in the District which in total provide over 500 individual plots. Most allotments are located close to existing housing areas where there is little private garden space.
6.3.22 Most allotments in the District are well used and adequately maintained. They provide a useful recreational resource and are well used on the whole. There does not appear, however to be a significant demand for additional allotments which would justify the allocation of new areas for allotment use. The City Council will monitor demands for allotment use during the life of the Local Plan and consider providing additional allotments if necessary.
6.3.23 All allotments in the urban area are identified as Urban Greenspace and are therefore protected from development by Policy E29. This policy gives adequate protection to the existing stock of allotments.
 
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6.4 Community Services
  Diagram 27 - Lancaster University
 
   
6.4.1 The University of Lancaster was established in the late 1960s on a green-field site at Bailrigg south of Lancaster. It has developed steadily and following a period of rapid expansion in the early 1990s has 7,500 full time students and 1,800 staff as well as some 4,100 mainly local part time students. The University is of great academic importance and injects an estimated £30m annually into the local economy. The City Council supports the expansion and development of the University both in the provision of teaching and associated accommodation, social and cultural facilities, and the expansion of purpose-built accommodation for students. Although the pace of expansion is likely to slow during the latter half of the decade, scope remains within the perimeter road and in the approved south west campus extension for additional development if required.
6.4.2 The University occupies a prominent site. Its distinctive design and colouring mean that it features strongly in views from a considerable distance, particularly from the south and west. The commitment of the University to a high standard of design and extensive landscaping has been important in achieving the compact and attractive appearance of the complex from surrounding areas. The appearance of the site is enhanced by its setting in extensive sports grounds and woodland areas.
6.4.3 In considering the possibility of longer-term future expansion, it is clearly important to maintain these important features. In addition it would be inappropriate for the University to spread further south west than is already committed or to see formal development east of the M6.
 
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  POLICY R12
  BUILT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER WILL BE CONFINED TO THE AREA IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP AS LANCASTER UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. OUTSIDE THIS AREA, DEVELOPMENT WILL BE RESTRICTED TO OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES AND SMALL-SCALE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS
  Policy superseded in part by policies within the Core Strategy with effect from 23 July 2008 – both this policy and Core Strategy policies need to be taken into account when proposals are being determined
     
6.4.4 The Council recognises the importance of developing links between the University and the business community and supports the possibility of joint ventures combining business capital with University expertise, technical facilities and research capability. This potential could be realised on the Bailrigg Business Park which will be immediately adjacent to the University Campus. The City Council will encourage the development of this site and other enterprises involving the University.
  THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HELP TO PROMOTE DIRECT LINKS BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ON THE BAILRIGG BUSINESS PARK
   
  The University College of St Martin
6.4.5 Like Lancaster University, the University College of St Martin (UCSM) was established in the late 1960s on the site of a former army barracks at Bowerham Road in Lancaster. With around 2,600 full time and 3,700 part time students, together with 360 staff, UCSM is also an important employer. Like the University, UCSM has expanded during the last 5 years through the construction of new teaching and ancillary accommodation, student residences and a library extension. The Council has supported this development which, like the University, has added jobs, spending power and tourist facilities to the District as well as providing for an expansion of student numbers.
6.4.6 The further development of UCSM is however constrained by its site boundaries. The present site includes an area of Key Urban Landscape which provides a visual setting for the College and provides recreation facilities for students and staff. It also makes an important contribution to the appearance of this otherwise densely developed part of the City, particularly on the western slopes falling to Bowerham Road. Considerable intrusion into this green area has already been permitted to assist this expansion programme and further significant encroachment would be inappropriate. Future development beyond the existing built-up limits of the site will therefore need to be restricted to those areas already approved or to a scale which maintains the open nature of the area.
 
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  POLICY R13
  BUILT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ST MARTIN WILL BE CONFINED TO THE AREA IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP AS ST MARTIN'S COLLEGE CAMPUS. OUTSIDE THIS AREA, DEVELOPMENT WILL BE RESTRICTED TO;
    OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES;
    SMALL-SCALE ANCILLARY BUILDINGS;
    AREAS WHICH ALREADY BENEFIT FROM PLANNING PERMISSION; AND
    DEVELOPMENT OF A SCALE AND TYPE ACCEPTABLE WITHIN THE GREENSPACE AND KEY URBAN LANDSCAPE POLICIES OF THE PLAN.
  Policy superseded in part by policies within the Core Strategy with effect from 23 July 2008 – both this policy and Core Strategy policies need to be taken into account when proposals are being determined
   
  Lancaster and Morecambe College
6.4.7 Lancaster and Morecambe College is the District's main college of further education and has expanded in recent years with the provision of new sports facilities. The College has excellent transport links being close to both the primary bus route and the Lancaster-Morecambe Cycle Track. It is also on a strategic point in the Highway Network, land adjacent to the college being part of a route option for the Heysham-M6 Link Road. The Council supports the ongoing development and growth of the College. However, the College grounds are an important urban green space providing a clear separation between the urban areas of Lancaster and Morecambe. The sports pitches are also a valuable recreational resource which the Council believes should be protected from development.
 
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  POLICY R14
  BUILT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXPANSION OF LANCASTER AND MORECAMBE COLLEGE WILL BE CONFINED TO THE AREA IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP
  Policy superseded in part by policies within the Core Strategy with effect from 23 July 2008 – both this policy and Core Strategy policies need to be taken into account when proposals are being determined
     
  Primary and Secondary Schools
6.4.8 The increase in population which will take place over the local plan period will give rise to the need for new schools. The County Council has a long-term commitment to a new secondary school to serve south Lancaster and land is reserved for this purpose at Barton Road.
6.4.9 Development of the new housing sites in Lancaster will also generate requirements for new primary schools. At Lancaster Moor a new primary school will be required if development exceeds 430 dwellings. The development brief for the area contain more details of the requirement for primary schools.
6.4.10 In Heysham, construction of a new primary school at Kingsway means that new school construction will only be necessary if Lancashire Education Authority pursues the idea of replacing the existing restricted Victorian school at Sandylands. This land is allocated as urban greenspace and is protected from development. Exceptionally part of this land could be developed for education purposes.
6.4.11 Lancashire Education Authority has resolved that the site at Crag Bank East in Carnforth is no longer required for education purposes. This land is now allocated for housing.
 
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  POLICY R15
  LAND AT BARTON ROAD LANCASTER SHOWN ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP IS RESERVED FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES.
  Policy Not Saved with effect from 27 September 2007
 
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  POLICY R16
  DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE LANCASTER MOOR AREA MUST CONTAIN PROVISION FOR A PRIMARY SCHOOL.
     
  School Playing Fields
6.4.12 In many areas of Lancaster and Morecambe, there are few or no public playing fields. The local population has come to rely on school playing fields as areas for children's play and informal games. In areas such as Bare and Torrisholme and the centres of Lancaster and Morecambe, there are no obvious opportunities to provide significant new areas of open space. As schools become more concerned with security and vandalism, the informal use of school grounds is likely to come under increasing scrutiny by the Education Authority and school governors.
6.4.13 The County Council Education Committee supports and encourages the use of educational land and premises. To ensure that local people can obtain maximum benefit from existing sports and recreational facilities, the City Council will take every opportunity to encourage the dual use of educational land and premises. However this use is dependent on goodwill and cannot be guaranteed. It is not considered to be an adequate substitute for facilities which are available to the public on a full time basis.
  THE CITY COUNCIL WILL WORK WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC USE OF SCHOOL SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES
   
  Health Care
6.4.14 The re-organisation of health care in North Lancashire has resulted in the closure of the major hospitals at Lancaster Moor and Royal Albert. The concentration of health care at Lancaster Royal Infirmary will result in a significant increase in activity on the infirmary site. By 1998 1800 people will work on the site. There will be 600 bedspaces and around 2000 outpatients will be seen each week. The hospital is undergoing a major renewal and refitting involving new blocks, extensions and the refurbishment of existing buildings some of which are listed. The hospital is well located in relation to the Primary Bus Corridor and the proposed bus priority route along Ashton Road will make the hospital even more accessible by public transport. The ongoing expansion of the hospital may create proposals for the use of buildings outside the existing site for hospital purposes into the surrounding area.
   
  Mental Health
6.4.15 The re-organisation of mental health in the District has resulted in a change of emphasis from large residential institutions to care in small residential homes and residential care reinforced with day centres. Smaller facilities can satisfactorily be accommodated within residential areas whilst larger residential care homes raise similar issues to those raised by residential rest homes and care homes for the elderly. Given considerable variation and flexibility in the type of site required and the extent to which the need will be met through the re-use of existing buildings, the Council does not consider it appropriate to identify specific sites.
   
  Community Centres in the Rural Area
6.4.16 Community centres, youth centres and village halls can provide an important focal point within many rural communities. Such centres include property owned or rented by statutory bodies, religious organisations, registered charities and other voluntary groups to provide accommodation for public activities and services. With the advent of national lottery funding for community projects, it is likely that more villages will seek to develop new community centres and village halls and extend and upgrade their existing facilities.
6.4.17 The Council supports the development of community services in villages and sees particular potential for the conversion of redundant buildings to community use. New village halls need to be appropriate to the village in terms of size, scale and design. They need to be suitable for many different uses including uses such as concerts and discos which may give rise to noise problems. Because most rural areas are poorly served by public transport, it is essential that parking is available. For this reason, sites on the edge of villages may be preferable.
 
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  POLICY R17
  THE COUNCIL WILL PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF OR THE CONVERSION OF BUILDINGS FOR COMMUNITY USE WHERE THE PROPOSAL:
    IS LOCATED IN OR ON THE EDGE OF A SETTLEMENT LISTED IN POLICY H7;
    IS OF A DESIGN APPROPRIATE TO ITS SURROUNDINGS;
    IS CAPABLE OF USE WITHOUT CAUSING SIGNIFICANT HARM TO THE AMENITIES OF RESIDENTS; AND
    MAKES SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCESS, SERVICING, CYCLE AND CAR PARKING.
  Policy Not Saved with effect from 27 September 2007
   
  Carnforth Youth and Community Centre
6.4.18 There is strong pressure in Carnforth from the Community and from Carnforth High School for a new Youth and Community Centre in the town. There is a suitable site owned by Lancashire County Council adjacent to the School on Kellet Road. The Council will safeguard this land for community use.
 
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  POLICY R18
  LAND IDENTIFIED ON THE PROPOSALS MAP ADJACENT TO CARNFORTH HIGH SCHOOL IS SAFEGUARDED AS A SITE FOR A YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE. PROPOSALS WHICH PREJUDICE THIS POTENTIAL WILL BE REFUSED.
     
  The Duke's Theatre
6.4.19 The Duke's Theatre is located in the Centre of Lancaster and occupies a virtually landlocked site. Land to the north is identified as a Housing Opportunity Site and to ensure that any future expansion of the theatre is not prevented by housing development, land along the northern edge of the theatre.
 
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  POLICY R19
  LAND NORTH OF THE DUKE'S THEATRE AS SHOWN ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP IS RESERVED FOR THEATRE DEVELOPMENT
     
  Emergency Services
6.4.20 There are six existing fire stations in the District at Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth, Silverdale, Bolton-le-Sands and Hornby. Those in Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth are in town centre sites in areas subject to traffic congestion. A site is identified at Westgate, Morecambe for a new fire station which will replace the existing Morecambe station. The Council would also like to achieve the relocation of Carnforth Fire Station although a suitable alternative site has not been found at the present time.
 
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  POLICY R20
  LAND AT WESTGATE, MORECAMBE AS SHOWN ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP IS SAFEGUARDED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW FIRE STATION. DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD PREJUDICE THIS PROPOSAL WILL BE REFUSED.
  Policy Not Saved with effect from 27 September 2007
     
  Access for People with Disabilities
6.4.21 The Council is fully committed to ensuring that all new development is completely accessible to people with limited mobility, sight, speech or hearing. In particular, buildings to which the public have access such as shops, offices, cinemas and leisure developments, hotels, banks, health centres, schools and hospitals should not create barriers. The Council employs an access officer who advises on access issues and also uses its building control powers to ensure that internal layouts are satisfactory. Necessary measures include the provision of ramps at stepped entrances to shops and public buildings, the use of surface treatments which do not cause discomfort or difficulty for wheelchair users, the use of dropped kerbs and the provision of disabled car parking spaces to make facilities accessible to people who have difficulty walking. The Council endorses the principle of Access for Everyone in the design of all new buildings.
6.4.22 Exceptionally in historic buildings there may be instances when full access cannot be provided without harming the character and appearance of the building. Where this is the case, the Council will expect the development to provide the maximum possible accessibility consistent with retaining the character of the building.
6.4.23 In certain circumstances, the Council may take the view that development should provide access for people with disabilities which is additional to the statutory requirements of building regulations. The Council will request that ample consideration is given to the needs of people with mobility, sight and/or hearing disabilities, particularly where development is intended to provide access to the general public as customers, members of an audience, patients, employees or for the purposes of education, travel or to participate in sport or the arts.
 
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  POLICY R21
  IN CONSIDERING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS, THE COUNCIL WILL, WHERE APPROPRIATE, REQUIRE ACCESS PROVISION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
  WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE BUILDING REGULATIONS THE CITY COUNCIL WILL SEEK, VIA NEGOTIATION WITH DEVELOPERS, TO SECURE ACCESS BY DISABLED PERSONS.
  WHERE ACCESS BY DISABLED PERSONS MUST BE PROVIDED, PLANNING PERMISSION WILL BE GRANTED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS TO SECURE THIS. WHERE A VALID CONDITION CANNOT BE FRAMED, PLANNING PERMISSION WILL BE REFUSED.
     
  Housing for Disabled People
6.4.24 Most new houses and flats are built without the needs of disabled people in mind. This can cause problems, not only for the main occupier, but also for visitors. The Council will negotiate with developers an element of 'visitability housing' on all suitable new housing developments. Visitability housing is defined as; 'housing designed for the convenience of households covering all age groups from young children to people who are elderly or infirm. It allows for visits by disabled people and could be adapted for use by a disabled resident'.
  TO IMPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HOUSING TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY DISABLED PEOPLE, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL SEEK TO NEGOTIATE AGREEMENT WITH DEVELOPERS TO CONSTRUCT VISITABILITY HOUSING EXCEPT WHERE OVERRIDING PHYSICAL FACTORS WOULD PREVENT THEIR ATTAINMENT ON SITE
   
  Crime Prevention
6.4.25 Increasing crime and the fear of crime has led to a growing recognition of the importance of a built environment that feels safe and deters crime. The Council has installed closed circuit TV cameras in the centres of Lancaster and on Morecambe seafront. Other measures to reduce the fear of crime include the provision of lighting in parks and along cycle routes, support for neighbourhood watch and farm watch initiatives, the provision of secure cycle parking, maximising natural surveillance of recreational open space and children's playspace, efforts to tidy up derelict land and areas, the promotion of shopping and cultural activities and measures to encourage walking, cycling and public transport.
6.4.26 The Council fully supports the 'Secured by Design' initiative and works closely with Lancashire Constabulary's architectural liaison officer to ensure that security considerations are given full weight in development proposals.
6.4.27 An insensitive approach to crime prevention can however increase fear of crime. The use of latrine style fencing, razor wire, high blank walls and walls topped with broken glass and steel roller shutters on shop fronts can lead to a bleak threatening environment which people avoid. The Council will advise on design solutions which provide security in an environmentally acceptable way.
  THE COUNCIL WILL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE, PREPARE GOOD PRACTISE GUIDANCE WHICH WILL SEEK TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ARE DESIGNED TO MINIMISE THE FEAR OF CRIME
 
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  POLICY R22
  PROPOSALS FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT SHOULD ADOPT DESIGNS, LAYOUTS AND LANDSCAPING TREATMENTS AND LIGHTING MEASURES WHICH DETER CRIME AND REDUCE THE FEAR OF CRIME;
  PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENTS WITH PUBLIC FRONTAGES WHICH INCORPORATE EXCESSIVE, UNSIGHTLY SECURITY MEASURES WILL BE REFUSED.
  Policy wholly superseded by policies within the Core Strategy with effect from 23 July 2008
     
  Public Art
6.4.28 The Council has a long tradition of encouraging a high standard of urban design and is one of the foremost in the country in promoting public art. The TERN project is widely recognised as a leader in its field and imaginative public art also features in the new Marketgate Shopping Centre and the regeneration scheme for the West End of Morecambe. The Council will continue to promote public art, both through its own development proposals and through encouraging public art in major developments and will encourage collaboration between developers and local artists.
  THE COUNCIL WILL WORK WITH DEVELOPERS AND ARTISTS TO ENCOURAGE THE PROVISION OF HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC ART IN NEW DEVELOPMENT AND IN PUBLIC SPACES
   
   
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