Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Local Development Plan 2011 –2026 Open Space & Indoor Leisure Topic Paper August 2013 www.npt.gov.uk/ldp Contents 1 Introduction 1 2013) 2 Background 3 3 Policy Context: National & Local 5 (August 3.1 National Policy Context 5 Paper 3.2 Local Policy Context 10 opic T 4 Current Situation and Trends 17 5 Summary of Consultation Responses 33 Leisure 6 Issues to be Addressed 35 Indoor & 7 Objectives 39 Space 8 Strategic Policy Development 41 Open 9 Detailed Policy Development 45 - Appendix 1: Council Plans & Strategies 1 LDP Appendix 2: Our Space Your Space Strategy 5 Deposit Appendix 3: School Facilities in Shared Use 9 Appendix 4: Standards of Open Space Provision 11 Contents Deposit LDP - Open Space & Indoor Leisure Topic Paper (August 2013) 1 . Introduction 1 Introduction 2013) 1.0.1 This topic paper is one of a range of papers prepared to offer more detailed information and to provide an explanation of the approach taken in the Local Development (August Plan (LDP) in relation to different topics and issues affecting the County Borough. Paper 1.0.2 This paper specifically considers Open Space and Indoor Leisure. opic T 1.0.3 A previous version of this paper was published at the Pre-Deposit consultation stage in September 2011. The Pre-Deposit consultation was the first statutory stage of Leisure the LDP and set out the Council's overall Preferred Strategy. Following the consultation, the comments received have been taken into account and the topic papers have been Indoor amended accordingly. & 1.0.4 The Deposit Plan consultation is the second statutory stage of the plan and Space allows a further period of formal public consultation. Comments received at this stage will Open be considered by an Independent Planning Inspector who will hold an Examination in - Public into the Plan. If the Inspector considers the Plan to be 'sound' it will be recommended for adoption and once adopted it will supersede the current Neath Port Talbot Unitary LDP Development Plan (UDP) and be the primary document for use in the determination of planning applications. Deposit 1.0.5 This topic paper can be read in isolation or in conjunction with the other topic papers and background papers that have been prepared to give a full picture of Neath Port Talbot(1). 1 1 The information contained within this Topic Paper is correct as of the date sent to print. Introduction . 1 - Open Space & Indoor Leisure Topic Paper (August 2013) LDP Deposit 2 2 . Background 2 Background 2013) 2.0.1 Open Space is defined as "...all open space of public value, including land and water areas like rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs and disused dock basins which offer (August opportunities for sport, recreation and tourism"(2). Open space includes(3): Paper Public Parks and Gardens. opic T Outdoor Sports Facilities. Leisure Amenity Green Space. Indoor Provision for Children and Young People. & Allotments. Space Open Community Gardens. - City (Urban) Farms. LDP Cemeteries and Churchyards. Deposit Accessible Areas of Countryside in the Urban Fringe. Civic Spaces and Water (including beaches). 2.0.2 A wide range of organisations and bodies provide open space and recreation facilities including Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Local Planning Authorities, Community Councils, Social Housing providers, charitable organisations including the National Trust, West Wales Wildlife Trust, Celtic Leisure, sports clubs, community groups and private businesses. 2.0.3 Recreation is important for the emotional and social development and well being of all residents, encouraging social interaction, team building and physical activity. The provision of a mix of indoor and outdoor facilities for recreational use is vital to provide choice and alternatives and to cater for as wide a range of people as possible. The use of all weather facilities (both indoor and outdoor) adds to the choice available. Group or team activities (e.g. sports clubs) help to create a sense of belonging and community and sport and recreational facilities are not just for children, provision is needed for all age groups and abilities. 3 2 TAN 16 Sport, Recreation & Open Space (2009) - Welsh Government. 3 It should be noted that this paper does not specifically consider 'Greenspace'. Greenspace is defined as those open spaces which have a more natural appearance and includes natural and semi-natural green spaces, green corridors, country parks, woodland, open access land and common land. Notwithstanding this point, it should be acknowledged that some areas of open space have some additional greenspace qualities. 2 . Background Deposit 2.0.4 Recreation is key to improving health and well being in the County Borough. Ill health is a major issue in Neath Port Talbot and the Council is committed to improving the (4) LDP health and fitness of the resident population . - Open Space & Indoor Leisure T opic Paper (August 2013) 4 4 Further information on health related issues is contained within the Deposit - Health Topic Paper (August 2013). 3 . Policy Context: National & Local 3 Policy Context: National & Local 2013) 3.1 National Policy Context Wales Spatial Plan (2008) (August 3.1.1 The Wales Spatial Plan recognises that our environment is fundamental to our Paper opic quality of life and that its protection and regeneration is essential for health and well being. T The Plan encourages more walking and cycling as part of daily life, providing clean open spaces with more opportunities to enjoy wildlife. Leisure Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 5 (2012) Indoor & 3.1.2 PPW identifies that sport and recreation contribute to our quality of life and the Welsh Government supports the development of sport, recreation and the wide range of Space leisure pursuits which encourage physical activity. These activities are important for the Open well being of children and adults and for the social and economic life of Wales. - 3.1.3 The main planning objectives of the Welsh Government are to promote: LDP A more sustainable pattern of development, creating and maintaining networks of Deposit facilities and open spaces in places well served by sustainable means of travel, in particular within urban areas. Social inclusion, improved health and well being by ensuring that everyone, including children and young people, the elderly and those with disabilities, has easy access to the natural environment and to good quality, well-designed facilities and open space. The provision of innovative, user friendly, accessible facilities to make our urban areas, particularly town centres, more attractive places, where people will chose to live, work and visit. 3.1.4 PPW and Technical Advice Note Sport, Recreation and Open Space (TAN 16) state that "Planning Authorities should provide the framework for well located, good quality tourism, sport, recreation and leisure facilities. The areas and facilities provided in both rural and urban areas should be sensitive to the needs of users, attractive, well maintained and protected from crime and vandalism. They should be safe and accessible, including to deprived or disadvantaged communities and to people whose mobility is restricted, by a variety of sustainable means of travel, particularly walking, cycling and public transport. Long-distance routes, rights of way, disused railways and waterways are also important tourism and recreation facilities, both in their own right and as a means of linking other 5 attractions". 3 . Policy Context: National & Local Deposit 3.1.5 PPW states that the planning system should ensure that adequate land and water resources are allocated for formal and informal sport and recreation, taking full account LDP of the need for recreational space and current levels of provision and deficiencies, and the impact of development related to sport and recreation on the locality and local - Open communities. Space 3.1.6 It identifies that formal and informal open green spaces, including parks with significant recreational or amenity value, should be protected from development, particularly & Indoor in urban areas where they fulfil multiple purposes, not only enhancing the quality of life, but contributing to biodiversity, the conservation of nature and landscape, air quality and Leisure the protection of groundwater. Such open spaces also have a role in climate protection and in enabling the adaptation of urban areas to the impacts of climate change, for example by contributing to flood management and helping to reduce urban heat island effects. T opic Paper 3.1.7 All playing fields whether owned by public, private or voluntary organisations should be protected except where: (August Facilities can best be retained and enhanced through the redevelopment of a small part of the site; 2013) Alternative provision of equivalent community benefit is made available; or There is an excess of such provision in an area. 3.1.8 Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) should seek to protect and enhance the rights of way network as a recreational and environmental resource. They are also encouraged to promote the national cycle network, long distance footpaths, bridleways, canals and the use of inland waters and disused railways as greenways for sustainable recreation. 3.1.9 Development Plans should establish a strategic framework for the provision and enhancement of well designed tourism, sport, recreation and leisure facilities in the areas they cover and contain clear policies for the provision, protection and enhancement of tourism, sport, recreation and leisure facilities. They should set standards of provision, so that local deficiencies can be identified and met through the planning process and set out policies to avoid or resolve conflict between different pursuits. 3.1.10 The Development Plan should protect playing fields and open space that has significant amenity or recreational value to local communities. It should indicate the ways in which previously developed or disused land and water bodies will be considered for tourism, sport and recreation uses, particularly in relation to urban regeneration.