Peterborough City Council Local Plan

Chapter 8

Community Facilities

CF1	School Provision for Hampton (Part 1)
CF2	School Provision for Hampton (Part 2)
CF3	School Provision for Major Residential Developments (Part 1)
CF4	School Provision for Major Residential Developments (Part 2)
CF5	University
CF6	Hospital Land at Bretton Gate
CF7	Primary Health Care Facilities
CF8	Development of Community Buildings
CF9	Day Nurseries, Crèches and Playgroups
CF10	Places of Worship and Religious Instruction
CF11	Cemetery at Orton Waterville
CF12	Public Conveniences
CF13	Interim Use of Safeguarded Sites

Introduction

8.1

This Chapter sets out a range of planning policies relating to the provision and distribution of facilities for services required to meet community needs in Peterborough. These needs are diverse and include education, health, places of worship, community centres and libraries.

8.2

As a unitary authority, Peterborough City Council has responsibility for education, social services and libraries. Other public agencies, such as the Cambridgeshire Health Authority, Peterborough Primary Care Trusts and the private and voluntary sectors also have an essential role to play in providing community facilities.

8.3

As local planning authority, the City Council can assist in the identification of sites for facilities, safeguard those sites from other unsuitable forms of development until they are required, and ensure that all new development takes place in locations that can be served economically and effectively by community facilities of all kinds.

8.4

The private sector has an important role to play in making provision for the wider needs of the community. As well as being responsible for the development of private facilities in their own right (for example, private schools and health care facilities), private developers will be required to meet the costs of provision of public facilities which may be required as a result of any development that they may undertake.

Aims

8.5

The aims of the Plan for community facilities are:

to make provision for the development of a wide range and equitable distribution of facilities for all sections of the community;
to guide facilities into areas which are lacking;
to make the best use of existing facilities; and
to secure from those people responsible for carrying out a development, any community facilities needed to serve that development.

Education

8.6

Of critical importance in the planning of education provision are the forecasts of population changes in children below school leaving age. Between 2001 and 2006 the number of children in the District in the 5-10 age group is expected to fall by almost 8% from 14,200 to 13,100. In the 11-15 age group, the forecast is for a rise of over 6% from 11,300 to 12,000. Within these overall figures there will be variations from one part of the District to another and different implications for school rolls will result.

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School Provision for Hampton

CF1

Within the development area of the Hampton Township, as shown on the Proposals Map, land will be safeguarded for two primary schools in Hampton Leys on sites to be identified in the development area briefs prepared under the conditions of the outline planning permissions.

Sites for primary schools should be:

(a)

within or adjacent to a neighbourhood centre; and

(b)

close to the centre of the catchment they are intended to serve; and

(c)

safely accessible on foot and within walking distance of as many homes as possible.

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CF2

Further planning permissions for residential development within the Township which would result in the need for additional education provision, will only be granted if the developer has first entered into a planning obligation to ensure that provision is made (including a site and building for a new school, if necessary) in a form and at a time which is to meet the educational needs arising from the development.

Where a planning application is made for only part of the residential development site, the City Council will seek a pro rata contribution to the school site and buildings, based on the relationship between the scale of the development proposed in the application and the scale of the development proposed for the larger area. In these circumstances, the contribution which the City Council will seek will also take into account the nature and extent of any other contributions that have been or will be made to enable development of the larger area to proceed.

8.7

Hampton Hargate primary school is complete and phase 1 of Hampton Vale primary school is to be opened in September 2004. Phase 1 of Hampton's secondary school is due to be opened in September 2005. Two further primary schools will be needed in Hampton Leys. The sites for these schools will be identified in development area briefs in accordance with the policy.

8.8

Whilst the general location of these schools is known from the outline planning application for Hampton Leys, the exact location cannot be pinpointed with sufficient accuracy for a site specific allocation in this Plan.

8.9

Policies CF1 and CF2 will ensure that appropriate provision is made for schools in the event of further applications for residential developments or a renegotiation of the original planning obligation on the part of the developers of the township.

8.10

The precise location of the schools will be finalised as development of the township proceeds, but each one will be sited in the most appropriate location for the catchment area it is designed to serve. The provision of schools will be phased in accordance with the phasing of the residential development of which they will form a part.

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School Provision for Major Residential Developments

CF3

Within the residential development sites at Paston Reserve (H3.16) and Stanground South (H3.26), as shown on the Proposals Map, land will be safeguarded for primary schools.

Sites for primary schools should be:

(a)

within or adjacent to a neighbourhood centre; and

(b)

close to the centre of the catchment they are intended to serve; and

(c)

safely accessible on foot and within walking distance of as many homes as possible.

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CF4

Planning permission for residential development of these sites will only be granted if the relevant developer has first entered into a planning obligation to provide a site and building for the primary school in a form and at a time which is to meet the educational needs arising from the development.

8.11

The location of the primary school sites at Paston Reserve and Stanground South will need to be agreed with the City Council as part of the overall development proposal for each area.

8.12

There are no other areas of Peterborough, apart from Hampton, Paston Reserve and Stanground South, where new residential development is likely to require the provision of completely new schools prior to 2006. However, the construction of extensions or the provision of temporary mobile classrooms may be necessary on some existing school sites to meet the needs of an enlarged school age population as a result of new residential developments. Contributions towards the cost of any necessary provision will be sought from developers through policy IMP1.

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University

CF5

The City Council will encourage the development of new university premises in Peterborough in a way that would maximise the educational, social and economic benefits to the City.

Planning permission for the development of land, or change of use of existing buildings, to provide new University and ancillary buildings will be granted provided that:

(a)

the development would provide safe and convenient access by a choice of means of transport and maximise the proportion of trips generated by non-car modes; and

(b)

the design and layout of development would be to a high standard; and

(c)

the noise and disturbance likely to be caused by the use of the premises would not be unacceptably detrimental to the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties.

8.13

The City Council has been actively working with a number of key partners, including the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Peterborough Regional College, the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFC), Learning and Skills Council and Anglia Polytechnic University to establish a university at Peterborough Regional College. An outline planning application has been submitted for the higher education centre. Construction work will start early 2005 and the university is expected to open in September 2006.

Health Facilities

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Hospital Land at Bretton Gate

CF6

Land at Bretton Gate, as shown on the Proposals Map, will be safeguarded for hospital and ancillary health purposes. Planning permission for development for these purposes will be subject to the provision of suitable public transport arrangements.

8.14

The Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust is considering the possibility of relocating to the Edith Cavell Hospital site in Bretton most (if not all) of the facilities which are at the moment provided at the Peterborough District Hospital. North West Anglia Healthcare Trust is considering the possibility of locating some of its acute mental health facilities to Edith Cavell Hospital as well. Under these proposals, land at the existing District Hospital site would be made available for redevelopment or a new use (refer to policy CC13).

8.15

The City Council acknowledges the health care and operational benefits of rationalising hospital facilities to the Edith Cavell site. It is important that medical and health care facilities are accessible to all who have need of them, including those who are visiting patients. This is especially pertinent in the context of those who do not have access to a car and need to rely on public transport or other transport modes. For these reasons any proposals for the relocation of medical and health care facilities from the PDH sites to the Edith Cavell site should be supported by appropriate proposals to improve access to the site by public transport from the City Centre and other parts of the city. The City Council will assist and work with Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust to achieve improvements where appropriate.

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Primary Health Care Facilities

CF7

Planning permission for the development of land, or change of use of an existing building, to provide a new doctors' or dentists' surgery or other primary health care facility will be granted, provided that:

(a)

the development would provide a safe and convenient access by foot, cycle and public transport, and would be sufficiently well located in relation to its intended catchment population to offer a reasonable prospect of a substantial number of trips by these modes; and

(b)

the noise and disturbance likely to be caused by the use of the premises would not be unacceptably detrimental to the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties; and

(c)

the vehicular traffic and pedestrian activity likely to be generated would not be unacceptably detrimental to the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties or be likely to result in unacceptable congestion or hazard to road safety; and

(d)

any associated car parking area to be provided would not be unacceptably detrimental to the character or appearance of the area.

8.16

This policy is intended to control the location of new primary health care facilities to best meet the needs of users whilst protecting the amenities of people living nearby. In some cases, there may be a need to place restrictions on the use of the premises, although each case will be treated on its merits.

8.17

In granting permission for such premises, the City Council will consider whether to:

restrict the use, so that a further planning application would be required for any other use falling within Class D1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987;
restrict the maximum number of practitioners and/or consulting and treatment rooms in order to control the level of activity at the premises;
restrict the permitted days or times when the premises can be used; and
require adequate provision to be made for noise insulation of the building if necessary.

8.18

Policy DA7 will be used to ensure proper access into and around the premises for people with disabilities where Part M of the Building Regulations do not apply.

Community Facilities

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Development of Community Buildings

CF8

Planning permission for the development of land, or change of use of an existing building, to provide a new community building will be granted, provided that:

(a)

the development would not result in the loss of land allocated for residential use or office, industrial and warehousing use for which there is an over-riding need; and

(b)

(c)

the noise and disturbance likely to be caused by the use of the premises would not be unacceptably detrimental to the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties; and

(d)

(e)

any associated car parking area to be provided would not be unacceptably detrimental to the character or appearance of the area.

8.19

For the purposes of policy CF8, 'community buildings' include community centres, advice centres, meeting halls and rooms and youth centres. Although social clubs, sports halls and other leisure and entertainment facilities also provide opportunities for use by community groups, they are regarded as being primarily recreation facilities and are therefore considered in Chapter 7 - Leisure and Tourism.

8.20

The City Council plays a leading part in providing for local community activities. Its overall policy is to encourage local groups to initiate, sustain and expand voluntary action in the community and to ensure that the community's social, welfare and recreational needs are met by statutory, voluntary or commercial agencies. This can often be best achieved by encouraging the formation of properly constituted community associations and delegating to each association full responsibility for the day to day management and operation of a community centre.

8.21

Although the City Council has no rigid standards for community centre provision, a guideline of 1 centre per 4,500 people in areas of high and medium density housing and 1 per 5,500 people in areas of low density housing will form the starting point from which decisions about future provision will be taken.

8.22

In approving any planning application for community facilities, the City Council may attach conditions, where appropriate, restricting the use of the property, the hours of opening and the level of noise emission, or requiring sound insulation works to be undertaken. As a general rule, the use of terraced or semi-detached houses as community facilities will not be permitted, unless such a need is clearly identified through local community consultation and liaison with the City Council's Community Services Department.

8.23

The City Council will seek to use existing facilities such as schools where there is a lack of community hall provision. Partnerships will also be developed with other agencies and voluntary organisations to ensure that community facilities are made available and accessible to a diverse population in all urban and rural areas. These community provisions may also form community focal points.

8.24

There will be a need for further community centre provision in areas of new residential development. These facilities will be sought through the implementation of policy IMP1.

8.25

To enable the widest use of community buildings, particular attention needs to be paid to the provision of access and facilities for people with disabilities. In purpose-built premises, this should be incorporated at the design stage. The situation is more difficult when adapting older buildings but the City Council will seek improvements wherever possible, through policy DA7.

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Day Nurseries, Crèches and Playgroups

CF9

Planning permission for the development of land, or change of use of an existing building, to provide a new day nursery, crèche or playgroup will be granted, provided that:

(a)

(b)

the noise and disturbance likely to be caused by the use of the premises would not be unacceptably detrimental to the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties; and

(c)

(d)

any associated car parking area to be provided would not be unacceptably detrimental to the character or appearance of the area.

8.26

In determining any planning application for a day nursery, crèche or playgroup, the City Council will take into account the likely hours of use of the property, the number of children likely to be in attendance and (in the case of change of use) the particular parts of the property which it is proposed to use. Conditions to control these aspects of the use may be imposed on any planning permission, if necessary.

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Places of Worship and Religious Instruction

CF10

Planning permission for the development of land, or change of use of an existing building, to provide a new place of worship or religious instruction will be granted, provided that:

(a)

(b)

the noise and disturbance likely to be caused by the use of the premises would not be unacceptably detrimental to the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties; and

(c)

(d)

any associated car parking area to be provided would not be unacceptably detrimental to the character or appearance of the area.

8.27

Peterborough's communities include people of many different religious and cultural backgrounds. Some groups meet only for worship, some also provide religious education, while others offer extensive social/welfare, educational and cultural activities in addition to their religious services. There is, therefore, a need for a considerable number of separate meeting places, offering a wide variety of facilities.

8.28

It is accepted that places of worship and religious instruction often need to be located as near as possible to where the members of each community live. This is particularly true of those communities where car ownership is low or where the religious beliefs require communal prayers one or more times a day. The policy on places of worship attempts to balance the need for local places of worship against any potential disturbance to nearby residents which might arise.

8.29

Planning applications for buildings which are to be used primarily for religious purposes, but which will also incorporate significant community centre and/or social club facilities, will be determined in the light of this policy.

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Cemetery at Orton Waterville

CF11

Land off Chapel Lane, Orton Waterville, as shown on the Proposals Map, is allocated for a new cemetery. Associated built development will only be permitted where it would not harm the special character of this important open space within the Conservation Area.

8.30

Existing cemetery facilities at Orton Waterville are within St Mary's Churchyard which has limited space left for burials. It has no room for expansion and there is currently no other provision for burials in the Parish. The need to identify a new burial site has, therefore, arisen and approximately 0.4 hectares of land off Chapel Lane, Orton Waterville is allocated for a new cemetery. The site is in close proximity to the existing church cemetery and also the Methodist Church on Chapel Lane.

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Public Conveniences

CF12

Planning permission for development schemes which are likely to attract large numbers of members of the public will only be granted if the development makes adequate provision for toilet facilities in a suitably accessible location.

8.31

The City Council recognises the need for an adequate number of toilet facilities in Peterborough, for the benefit of both residents and visitors alike, and will seek to maintain and improve the current level of provision. The Council is also conscious of the need for improved facilities for people with disabilities and for changing facilities for babies. Opportunities to meet these needs will be kept under review and the City Council will require all new facilities to be specifically designed and built to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

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Interim Use of Safeguarded Sites

CF13

On sites which are being safeguarded for the future provision of some community facility, the City Council will grant temporary planning permissions for interim uses which comply with other policies in this Plan and which would not prejudice the ultimate implementation of the facility. Sites which are required to be set aside within an area of residential development for the future provision of some education or community facility will normally be subject to a condition requiring appropriate interim treatment and maintenance until development of that facility takes place.

8.32

There are instances in this chapter where a reference has been made to the need to identify and safeguard a site for some particular community facility or to ensure that land is set aside within a residential development. Although the City Council will be prepared to assist in finding sites for facilities and protecting them from other forms of permanent development, it would not wish to cause long-term blight by safeguarding sites indefinitely where there is little likelihood of development taking place. If there is a reasonable prospect of development in the foreseeable future, the Council will encourage some appropriate interim use, such as temporary public open space.

8.33

Where a future development site is being used on a temporary basis for some other purpose, it is good practice to make this fact quite clear to the public by means of a site notice or some other publicity, so that there is no misunderstanding of the status of the land when the time comes for the development to proceed.

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