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| Chapter 7 |
| Leisure and Tourism |
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Introduction |
| 7.1 |
Peterborough contains a large number and
wide variety of facilities for leisure and tourism, which make a significant
contribution to the quality of life of the District's residents and
also attract visitors. |
| 7.2 |
Despite the existing range of leisure
and tourism facilities, there is a need for further provision in the
future, for a number of reasons. For example, in some parts of the
City, particularly the older areas, there are deficiencies in the
level of open space, when compared with the City Council's standards
for open space in residential development. If people living in these
areas are to benefit from similar levels of provision to those in
areas of new residential development, these shortfalls will need to
be overcome. Further open space provision will also be required in
areas of new residential development. |
| 7.3 |
The countryside and numerous open water
areas and waterways around Peterborough are already well used for
informal recreation. There are likely to be continued pressures on
these resources which may conflict with the interests of agriculture
or nature conservation. There is a need to make provision for the
increasing demands for these types of recreation in a way which minimises
these potential conflicts. There will also be a need to respond to
the diversification needs of agriculture. Policies relating to this
issue can be found in Chapter 11. |
| 7.4 |
There is a close relationship between leisure
and tourism. Tourists visit Peterborough for a variety of reasons,
but many take advantage of its recreation and leisure facilities.
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| 7.5 |
At present, the majority of Peterborough's
tourist trade consists largely of day-trippers and business visitors.
Tourism generally brings greater employment and economic benefits
if visitors stay overnight or long-term and a good range of accommodation
is essential in order to encourage this. With its proximity to a good
transport network, Peterborough also has the potential to develop
as a centre for tourists visiting the wider area of the Fens and East
Anglia. However, if these benefits are to be realised then tourism
in Peterborough needs to be addressed in a constructive and positive
way in order to safeguard the environment. |
| 7.6 |
The policies in this chapter mutually
support a number of strategies (such as the Sports and Tourism Strategies
and Local Cultural Plan) which the City Council has produced or has
a duty to prepare. These provide more detailed information on the
local context and identify opportunities for the development of leisure
and tourism facilities in Peterborough. These strategies will assist
in determining proposals for development, where appropriate. |
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Aims |
| 7.7 |
The aims of the Plan for leisure and tourism
are: |
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- to encourage and generate initiatives that will improve the
quality and range of leisure facilities and tourist attractions;
- to secure an adequate range and quantity of leisure facilities
throughout the District which are accessible to the whole of the
population, including visitors;
- to secure from developers carrying out residential development,
adequate provision of all leisure facilities which are required
to meet the needs generated by the development; and
- to ensure that the provision of new leisure and tourist facilities
in Peterborough takes place without damaging the quality of the
natural and built environments and is in accordance with the principles
and practice of sustainable development.
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Open Space |
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Open Space in New Residential
Development |
| LT1 |
Planning permission will
not be granted for residential development of 9 or more dwellings
unless open space is provided and laid out in accordance with the
minimum standards set out in Appendix VII, which forms part of this
policy. If there are particular deficiencies in open space in the
surrounding area, the City Council may seek variations in the component
parts of the required provision to overcome them. |
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| 7.8 |
The primary purpose of the open space
standards is to secure adequate provision of open space for all new
residential development. The City Council will apply the standards
to all proposals for 9 or more dwellings or for smaller developments
where they form part of a larger area which has been divided up for
the purposes of phasing or construction, and the larger area would
be likely to contain 9 or more dwellings. This policy will not normally
apply to housing sites within the City Centre boundary as shown on
the Proposals Map. |
| 7.9 |
The open space standards set out in Appendix
VII provide the basis for assessing the notional open space requirements
of any proposed residential development for 9 or more dwellings. They
set out a hierarchy of open space which builds up to a total requirement
of 3.65 hectares of open space per 1,000 population and which will
be applied to all relevant development proposals. |
| 7.10 |
The open space requirements for a specific
development proposal will be based on the flexible application of
the standards, taking into account the current average household size
for Peterborough, the nature and scale of the specific development,
local circumstances, and the Council's open space and play strategies
for the area. The Council will generally encourage the creation of
a consolidated open space structure for major new housing developments
with open space provided on-site and accessible to all residents.
The Council may seek variations in the composition of the open space
(within the total provision of 3.65 hectares per 1,000 population)
in order to secure the best outcome for the development and the surrounding
area. In circumstances where it is desirable to improve existing facilities
off-site in order to meet the needs of the development, financial
contributions will be sought in accordance with policy LT2. |
| 7.11 |
In assessing whether any open space which
is provided in accordance with policy LT1 will be acceptable, the
City Council will take into account the need to ensure that the proposed
site will keep potential nuisance to a minimum; that toddlers' play
areas would be capable of supervision from homes and junior play areas
would be capable of casual supervision; that there would be sufficient
space around play areas to create an inviting play environment; that
pedestrian routes to play areas would avoid children having to cross
distributor roads; and that the size, shape, topography and ground
conditions would all be acceptable. |
| 7.12 |
Provided that the size, location and site
characteristics of open spaces are acceptable, they have been fully
laid out in accordance with the City Council's requirements and are
in a satisfactory condition, the Council will normally be prepared
to adopt and maintain them. In this context, the term 'fully laid
out' includes enclosure, landscaping and the provision and installation
of all necessary footpaths, play surfaces and equipment. For adoption
purposes, developers will be required to enter into an agreement with
the Council which will include payment by the developer of a commuted
sum to cover the costs of future maintenance of the open space. |
| 7.13 |
In those cases where the open
space is not to be adopted by the Council, developers should make
proper provision for its future ownership, management and maintenance. |
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Off-site Contributions
Towards the Provision of Open Space for New Residential Development
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| LT2 |
In the following circumstances,
planning permission for proposals of 9 or more dwellings will be granted
if the developer has first entered into a planning obligation to make
a financial contribution towards meeting the open space needs of the
proposed residential development off-site: |
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(a) |
if the proposed residential
development would be of insufficient size in itself to make the provision
of certain types of open space (identified in Appendix VII) feasible
within the site; or |
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(b) |
if, taking into account
the accessibility of existing open space facilities and the circumstances
of the surrounding area, the open space needs of the proposed residential
development can be met more appropriately by providing either new
or enhanced facilities off-site. |
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This contribution should
be commensurate with the scale of provision which would otherwise
have resulted from the application of policy LT1. |
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| 7.14 |
In some circumstances the provision of
open space on-site (either all or in part) may not be feasible, or
it may be appropriate for the Council to accept alternative provision
off-site. In these circumstances the Council will ascertain the open
space requirements of the development by applying the standards in
policy LT1 (as set out in Appendix VII), before entering into negotiations
with developers to secure alternative provision off-site. |
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Loss of Open Space
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| LT3 |
Planning permission will
not be granted for any development which would result in the loss
of existing or proposed open space (including open spaces defined
in Appendix VII, school playing fields and private sports grounds)
if that loss would give rise to a deficiency, or would be in an area
of the District where there is already a deficiency in open space,
when assessed against the standards set out in Appendix VII, unless:
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(a) |
the proposed development
would be ancillary to use of the site as open space, and the benefits
to recreation would outweigh any loss of open area; or |
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(b) |
alternative provision is
made, whether in open space or recreation facilities or both, that
is at least as accessible to users, and at least equivalent in terms
of size, usefulness, attractiveness and quality as the open space
that would be replaced. |
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| 7.15 |
This policy would not necessarily apply
where the development proposed is for an indoor sports, recreation
or community facility which would be complementary to the open space
(although open spaces of exceptional amenity or nature conservation
value would generally be safeguarded even in these circumstances).
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| 7.16 |
Exceptions to the policy may be permitted
where a developer is prepared to make adequate alternative provision
to compensate for the open space which would be lost, either in the
form of a new open space or in the form of improvements to an existing
open space, which would enable it to be used more effectively (for
example the installation of an all weather surface on a sports pitch).
Wherever possible, the Council will seek to ensure that any replacement
land or facilities are a qualitative improvement on those existing. |
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Areas of Open Space Deficiency |
| 7.17 |
There are some parts of Peterborough which
are deficient in public open space provision, if the standards set
out in Appendix VII are applied to the existing population and the
extent and location of existing facilities. The areas of greatest
need are those which not only lack open space but also have a high
population density, lack private gardens, have relatively high levels
of social and economic disadvantage, and a significantly higher than
average proportion of children. In general terms it is those older
urban areas closest to the City Centre which have the greatest need
for future open space provision. |
| 7.18 |
The City Council will identify and safeguard
suitable sites for public open space where opportunities arise in
or near any area within the District which is deficient in open space
when assessed against the standards set out in policy LT1. |
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Open Space at the
Bluebell Land |
| LT4 |
Land between the Bluebell
Estate and Soke Parkway, as shown on the Proposals Map, is allocated
for public open space. |
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| 7.19 |
An area of land of 8.09 hectares to the
south of Soke Parkway is currently being used as informal open space
on a temporary basis to serve this part of the City which is deficient
in open space. The City Council is negotiating to acquire the freehold
of the land for more permanent use as open space and allotments. |
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Open Space at Eye |
| LT5 |
Land to the rear of Manor
Farm Community Centre, Eye, and extending into housing site H9.02,
as shown on the Proposals Map, is allocated for public open space
in the form of a village park including tennis courts, bowling greens
and a rollerblade/ skateboard park. |
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| 7.20 |
Recognising the need to provide further
recreational facilities in the village of Eye, this policy seeks the
provision, by means of funds collected from planning obligations through
residential development nearby, of a village park with a range of
facilities. The southern boundary of the park within housing site
H9.02 is indicative and will be confirmed as development proceeds.
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Access to Open Spaces
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| LT6 |
Planning permission will
not be granted for any development which would adversely affect accessibility
to existing open spaces or to sites safeguarded for use as open space.
Proposals for the improvement of accessibility to existing open spaces
will generally receive favourable consideration. |
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| 7.21 |
The value of open spaces as recreation
resources depends very much on the ease with which they can be reached.
Accessibility may be difficult if there are not enough entrances to
an open space, or if the entrances are poorly located. The presence
of, for example, a barrier to pedestrian movement, such as a busy
main road, between an open space and its catchment population can
create access difficulties. The City Council will therefore seek to
maintain and enhance the accessibility of existing open spaces and
give due consideration to such matters when providing new facilities. |
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Allotments Surplus
to Requirements |
| LT7 |
Planning permission will
be granted for the development of all or part of a redundant allotment
unless the site lies within an area where there is already a deficiency
in open space (when assessed against the standards of policy LT1)
and is suitable for use as open space or for recreational use. |
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| 7.22 |
This policy applies to both public and
privately owned allotment sites. Allotments are an integral part of
the wider open space requirements of policy LT1. Before granting planning
permission for the development of allotment land the Council will
need to be satisfied that there is no demand for the allotments and
that the recreational needs of the surrounding area are already provided
for (particularly in terms of policy LT1). It is recognised that in
the case of Council owned allotment sites the need for the allotment/
open space will have been formally reviewed by the relevant Committee
in accordance with the Council's agreed procedures. The Secretary
of State's agreement will have been sought before the site can be
declared 'surplus to requirements'. All other policies of the Plan
will be taken into account when considering proposals for the development
of surplus allotment sites. |
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Hampton Country Park
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| LT8 |
Within Hampton Township
an area of land, as shown on the Proposals Map, is allocated for use
as a country park. Planning permission will be granted for development
which is considered appropriate to the proposed use of the area as
a country park and that would also contribute to its landscape character.
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| 7.23 |
Under the terms and conditions of the
Hampton planning obligation (March 1993), the developer of the Hampton
Township has agreed to a management and maintenance scheme for the
creation of a country park, covering some 162 hectares of land. |
| 7.24 |
The City Council will encourage the use
of the country park for primarily passive recreational activities,
such as walking, cycling and horseriding. The area around the former
brick pit known as Beeby's Pit has potential for more active recreational
pursuits such as sailing and canoeing. |
| 7.25 |
The Urban Area Boundary in the vicinity
of the former brickworks site has been drawn to include previously
developed land, part of which may be redeveloped for some individually
designed dwellings, provided these would be compatible with the Country
Park allocation and would not prejudice its integrity and continuity.
It is not intended that the part of the Country Park within the Boundary
should be developed in its entirety or that higher densities generally
appropriate to the urban area will be sought. |
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Leisure |
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Development of Leisure
Facilities |
| LT9 |
In all locations other
than those covered by policy CC4, proposals for leisure development
(including extensions to existing leisure facilities) will be subject
to the following policy: |
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(a) |
If the site of the proposed
development is within a District Centre or Hampton Township Centre
as defined on the Proposals Map, planning permission will be granted
provided that the nature and scale of the development would be appropriately
related to the catchment area served by that Centre. If the nature
and scale of the development would be such that it would serve a larger
catchment area, planning permission will only be granted if the applicant
has demonstrated that a sequential approach to site selection has
been applied in accordance with Appendix VI and that there is no alternative
site which is higher in the sequence. If there is such an alternative
site, or if the applicant has failed to demonstrate that a sequential
approach has been applied, planning permission will be refused. |
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(b) |
If the site of the proposed
development is outside a District Centre or Hampton Township Centre,
the applicant will be required to demonstrate both the need for the
development and that a sequential approach to site selection has been
applied in accordance with Appendix VI. Planning permission will only
be granted if it is demonstrated that there is a clearly defined need
and that there is no alternative site which is higher in the sequence.
If there is such an alternative site; if the applicant has failed
to demonstrate that a sequential approach has been applied; or if
the applicant has failed to demonstrate need; planning permission
will be refused. Furthermore, planning permission will be refused
if the development would have an unacceptable adverse impact on the
vitality and viability of the City Centre even if the issues of need
and the sequential approach have been satisfactorily addressed. |
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| 7.26 |
The policy applies to a variety of forms
of leisure development including facilities such as cinemas, theatres,
night clubs, bowling alleys, bingo halls, skating rinks, health and
fitness centres, family entertainment centres, amusement centres.
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| 7.27 |
The City Council's preference for the
location of leisure developments that would serve a city-wide catchment
is the City Centre. Policy CC4 addresses the issue of leisure developments
in that location. |
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Sports Facilities |
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Development of Sports
Facilities |
| LT10 |
The City Council will give
favourable consideration to any proposal which would provide new or
additional types of sports facilities in accordance with the City
Council's Sports Strategy in order to overcome a specific identified
deficiency in sports provision. |
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7.28 |
A wide range of public
and private sports facilities already exists in Peterborough. The
City Council has prepared a local sports and active recreation strategy
for 2000- 2005. This Strategy identifies existing provision, perceived
current unmet demand and areas where improvements may be made in either
the type or location of provision. |
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7.29 |
Policy LT10 encourages
the development of appropriate sports facilities. However, adequate
consideration to the Sports Strategy and other Local Plan policies
should be made. Those developments which are related to commercial
leisure activities, because of their nature, will be subject to policy
LT9. |
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Recreation in the Countryside
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Nene Valley |
| LT11 |
Within the area of the
Nene Valley as shown on the Proposals Map, the City Council will permit
a range of provision for recreation, with a general emphasis on low-impact,
informal activities in the rural area of the valley, and more formal
activities in the urban area. |
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| 7.30 |
The Nene Valley runs east-west across
the District. It is identified as an area of high amenity, landscape,
ecological and heritage value. |
| 7.31 |
The City Council works in partnership
with a number of organisations to manage the river environment, both
within the boundary defined on the Proposals Map and the wider River
Nene catchment area. Facilities such as the Ferry Meadows Country
Park have been provided within the Nene Valley. However, the City
Council considers there is still scope for further action to enhance
the Nene Valley's role for recreation whilst having due regard to
other aspects of the river's environment. It is envisaged that there
will be a gradual transition from informal, dispersed activities in
the rural area to more organised, formal activities in the urban area.
All proposed development will be subject to policy LNE8 as well as
LT11. |
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Sports in the Countryside
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| LT12 |
Planning permission will
not be granted for sports development in the countryside unless it
has a specific requirement for a rural location as follows: |
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(a) |
sports development that
is dependent on the existence of a geographical feature, such as water-based
sports where the water body is located in the countryside; or |
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(b) |
sports development, such
as golf courses, with particular requirements which could not reasonably
be met within the urban area; or |
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(c) |
other sports development,
such as motorised sports, whose impact would not normally be acceptable
in an urban area; or |
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(d) |
development ancillary to
an existing sports facility. |
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Planning permission will
be granted for proposals that meet any one of the above criteria provided
they would not cause unacceptable harm: |
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(e) |
to the character or appearance
of the countryside by reason of the nature or scale of the activity;
or |
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(f) |
to the quality of the landscape
by reason of the scale and appearance of the development, including
the impact of any buildings, landforming and parking areas; or |
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(g) |
to nature conservation
interests; or |
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(h) |
through the impact of noise,
traffic generation or concentration of large numbers of people; or |
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(i) |
to highway safety. |
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| 7.32 |
Development is generally restricted in
the countryside by policy LNE1, but this provides for an exception
in the case of outdoor recreation. It is recognised that certain sports
have particular requirements which can only be met outside the urban
area; or can only be located where a particular resource such as land
or water exists; or have an impact which would be unacceptable in
the urban area. The City Council will consider such proposals for
sports development in the countryside against these exceptional circumstances
and all other policies of the Local Plan, particularly those relating
to agriculture, nature conservation, archaeology, geology/geomorphology,
landscape quality and water resources. |
| 7.33 |
Sports such as motorsports, gun sports
and war games can give rise to problems of noise and disturbance whose
impact can be more appropriately mitigated in the rural area where
there may be opportunities for noise attenuation by containment or
isolation. However, the effect of the development on the site and
its surroundings (such as agricultural activities, rural and residential
amenity) will be material considerations. |
| 7.34 |
Applications for most forms of sports
development in the countryside (e.g. motorsports, gun sports, war
games, watersports, orienteering and those that require the change
of use of extensive areas of land, such as golf courses), should be
submitted with impact assessments of the effect of the proposed development
on the landscape and the ecology of the area, together with appropriate
mitigation proposals. |
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Tourism |
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Development and Improvement
of Tourism Opportunities |
| 7.35 |
The City Council will give favourable
consideration to planning applications for the development and improvement
of tourism opportunities which are: |
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- consistent with the City Council's tourism strategy; and
- without detriment to environmental sustainability.
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| 7.36 |
Tourism is made up of a wide range of
very different, but interdependent activities and operations. These
include accommodation, conference, catering, transport, tourist attractions,
information provision and a number of other facilities including shopping
and recreation provision. The City Council recognises the need to
support and further promote Peterborough as a heritage, leisure and
business tourism destination. |
| 7.37 |
Measures to encourage tourism are being
progressed by the City Council through a wider tourism strategy for
the period up to 2005. The strategy is intended to guide and influence
the management of Peterborough for business and leisure tourism within
a sustainable environment. Proposals for the improvement and development
of tourism facilities will be required to be consistent with this
strategy as well as meeting other relevant development control policies
in the Local Plan. |
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East of England Showground
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| LT13 |
Within the East of England
Showground, as shown on the Proposals Map, planning permission will
be granted for development for sport, leisure and social purposes
which specifically relate to the existing use as a showground and
would not impair its continued use for that purpose. Proposals for
development should not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the
surrounding uses. |
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| 7.38 |
The majority of land which comprises the
East of England Showground lies outside the Urban Area boundary. Normally
this would imply that policies relating to the countryside would be
applicable. However, it is recognised by the City Council that the
Showground is a unique facility and that its operations cover a variety
of land uses. Further development relating to sporting, social and
recreational events, in keeping with the open character of the area,
will be acceptable. Any proposal will be subject to an assessment
of the environmental and traffic impacts on the adjoining residential
areas and in the village of Alwalton, and suitable measures taken
to alleviate any adverse impact. |
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