b. the existing use is not financially or operationally viable, and evidence has been provided to confirm that the property has been marketed for a period of at least 12 months and no realistic interest has been shown for its retention.

Explanation

  1. The NPPF sets out that a range of different types of infrastructure should be planned for, including sufficient provision for community facilities. Community and social infrastructure play an important role in facilitating social interaction and creating inclusive communities, it is therefore vital that they are protected where they fulfil this function either now or over the plan period. The council will work with communities to deliver their aspirations, ensuring that local facilities and services are retained where they are needed, or new or redeveloped facilities are provided where there is local need. The council's approach is to encourage new community uses to locate in the borough's town, district and local centres as these places are best served by public transport, in particular the bus network which is more capable of serving local catchment needs.
  2. In its consideration of applications for development that would place additional demand on services, the council will work with applicants to highlight at an early stage the potential needs for community facilities and services, drawing upon the evidence within the Infrastructure Plan and feedback from key providers of community and social facilities and services.
  3. The NPPF requires planning policies to guard against the unnecessary loss of valued community facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community's ability to meet its day-to-day needs. The NPPF states that community facilities can include community centres, places of worship, public houses, shops, sports venues, open space, arts and cultural facilities, as well as other local services such as health and social care, libraries, schools and nurseries. Note that sports venues and open space facilities are dealt with separately under COM 4 and COM 6.
  4. It is recognised that there are circumstances where loss of facilities and development for other uses may be appropriate, for example where existing community facilities are to be re-provided on an alternative site that is of an appropriate scale and quality, or where the facility is no longer required at that location. The council will require appropriate evidence in support of any planning application if the loss of a community facility is to be justified. This will be particularly important where the proposal would lead to a shortfall in provision for the specific use within the catchment population.
  5. In considering proposals, the council will take into account the listing or nomination of ‘Assets of Community Value.’