Local Development Framework Consultation

My comments are in relation to the evidence base that is proposed to be used to determine the formal open space requirements.

Paragraph 73 of NPPF requires planning policy and decisions to be informed by a robust and up to date assessment of need. South Lakeland does not have an up to date assessment of need for indoor and outdoor sport. Instead the development briefs make reference to accessibility standards from an out of date Open Space Study (2008) and the quantitative element being derived from the 2008 Fields in Trust guidance. It should be noted that the FiT standards are based on a national data set are do not take into account local circumstances. You will note the Planning Practice Guidance provided alongside the National Planning Policy Framework contains links to Sport England’s guidance on Playing Pitch Assessments and Indoor/Outdoor Sports Assessments and these are the documents that should be used to help Local Authorities undertake robust assessments.

Both Sport England’s Playing Pitch Strategy guidance and Assessing Needs and Opportunities guidance provides information on how to accurately assess the existing and future demand and supply of pitches and other sports facilities. It also sets out methods for establishing what the additional demand for sport from housing growth will be. This can then help inform decisions on planning applications, local plan policies and appropriate levels of developer contributions. From a sports development point of view it contains evidence required to support funding applications:

http://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-and-guidance/playing-pitch-strategy-guidance/

http://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-and-guidance/assessing-needs-and-opportunities-guidance/

Both sets of guidance advocate a partnership approach to preparing Assessments of Need for sport with Sport England, the relevant national governing bodies of sport and other key sports organisations in the area. This means a shared responsibility and ownership of the evidence base and recommendations.

In addition Sport England has recently revised its Active Design guidance. Sport England would wish to see the principles contained within the document ‘Active Design’ incorporated into the Development Briefs.

We believe that being active should be an intrinsic part of everyone’s daily life – and the design of where we live and work plays a vital role in keeping us active.

Good design should contribute positively to making places better for people and create environments that make the active choice the easy choice for people and communities.

That's why Sport England, in partnership with Public Health England, has produced the Active Design Guidance. This guidance builds on the original Active Design (2007) objectives of improving accessibility, enhancing amenity and increasing awareness, and sets out the Ten Principles of Active Design.

http://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-and-guidance/active-design/

Ten principles

The ten principles have been developed to inspire and inform the layout of cities, towns, villages, neighbourhoods, buildings, streets and open spaces, to promote sport and active lifestyles.

The guide features an innovative set of guidelines to get more people moving through suitable design and layout. It includes a series of case studies setting out practical real-life examples of the principles in action to encourage planners, urban designers, developers and health professionals to create the right environment to help people get more active, more often.

The Active Design Principles are aimed at contributing towards the Governments desire for the planning system to promote healthy communities through good urban design.

Active Design has been produced in partnership with David Lock Associates, specialists in town planning and urban design.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.

Fiona Pudge
Planning Manager