Health and Wellbeing
Objectives
- To encourage healthier lifestyles that will improve wellbeing
across the borough
- To promote the borough as an attractive destination for
recreation, leisure and culture
Delivery Strategy
2.01 The delivery of health and wellbeing involves working in
partnership with a number of agencies including the National Health
Service, Portsmouth Water, Hampshire County Council, Sport England,
Play England, the private sector, voluntary organisations involved
in community support and sport, cycling, walking and local
residents groups. The council will take steps to promote increased
participation in the culture and sport agenda by working with
various organisations and local groups to deliver the facilities
and initiatives that are needed. The borough will also work with
all the relevant partners to use the Culture and Sport Planning
Toolkit, produced by ‘Living Places’, and engage with other
initiatives for delivering culture and sport developments and
events such as the Playshaper Programme.
2.02 The council has already been successful in developing
a range of health facilities around Oak Park, West Leigh and at
Havant Health Centre. A further hospital is planned at Oak
Park during the lifetime of this document.
2.03 Portsmouth City Council is a major partner in
delivering better open spaces, cycle routes and footpaths
effectively throughout the borough and particularly in Leigh
Park. Spatial Planning and the Provision of Cultural and
Sporting Infrastructure in the PUSH area (PUSH Draft 2009) propose
various ways for delivering recreation and leisure potential. For
example, the study identifies the need to ascertain strategic
sports needs in South Hampshire, some of which can be accommodated
in the borough. This report refers to the importance of co-location
to enable provision for health and wellbeing to make the most
effective use of available sites and thereby facilitate delivery at
accessible locations.
2.04 Schools occupy accessible locations in communities
where more intensive, sustainable use can be justified. This
potential forms an important part of the Extended Services concept
and the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Initiative. BSF
has been introduced by the current government to transform
secondary education by funding the rebuilding or remodelling of
secondary schools. Havant and Horndean are the priority for
Hampshire and will benefit from substantial investment. In order to
qualify for funding the county council must reduce the percentage
of surplus places in secondary schools in Havant and Horndean. In
this respect the BSF will ensure the more effective use of the
schools and the release of space for alternative community uses.
For example, health and fitness provision could be combined with
improvements to schools on suitable sites to deliver innovative and
distinctive developments.
2.05 A wide variety of research delivery projects have been
undertaken and are planned by the different parts of the council
and other organisations in the borough. It is essential that all
these streams of work are coordinated and monitored to ensure that
they deliver effective value for money. These studies provide
essential evidence to justify the policies of the Havant Borough
Local Development Framework, especially the Development Delivery
(Allocations) Plan that will implement Policy CS1 by allocating
specific sites that benefit the health and wellbeing of the
borough.
2.06 Partnership working is critical to identify and
coordinate funding opportunities. Funding for all types of
provision will be from a mix of public and private sources
including contributions as a result of housing and other
developments and is essential for delivering Policy CS1. Many
funding streams are relatively short term and acquired through
bidding, this can be an issue for delivering long term change to an
area. Nevertheless the council will explore all funding stream
opportunities to maximise the delivery of projects that will
benefit the health and wellbeing of people in the borough.
2.07 The development of strategic sites is critical for the
delivery of health and wellbeing, especially at Havant Thicket
Reservoir and as part of the Havant Public Service Village.
Strategic Site Profiles (1and 2) are set out in Chapter 8. The
borough is working closely with Portsmouth Water to realise a host
of green infrastructure and recreation benefits throughout the
Havant Thicket site.
Policy CS1 Health and Wellbeing
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Planning permission will be granted for development which:
1. Retains open spaces, including children’s play space, which
are valued by local
communities unless a superior alternative can be provided. In
particular it is important to safeguard the following
strategic open spaces:
a. Emsworth Recreation Ground
b. Havant Park
c. Hayling Park
d. Hayling Beach
e. Staunton Country Park
f. Waterlooville Recreation Park
g. Purbrook Heath
2. Improves existing open spaces by incorporating high
quality features, accessibility and appearance and where
appropriate achieves a national standard e.g. a Green Flag
Award.
3. Creates, where necessary, new open spaces that are
located within or close to housing developments, that is safe
and accessible for children to play and contributes to the
borough’s green infrastructure.
4. Ensures that sports facilities which are considered to
be of a good quality by Sport England and other specialist
stakeholders are retained unless superior new provision is
made available.
5. Support the leisure centres at Havant and Waterlooville
as the main provision supplemented by more local provision of
indoor sports facilities, including Building Schools for the
Future.
6. Provides indoor sports and leisure facilities that
would meet strategic needs for the whole borough and where
appropriate local provision.
7. Contributes effectively to the opportunities for
increasing cycling for all types of trips, creating and
improving linkages within the borough, particularly along the
stream corridors and along the coast between Emsworth, Havant
and the borough boundary near Broadmarsh in accordance with
the council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy.
8. Supports the increased footpath and cycle use
through the design of development, linkage and signage.
9. Provides a building for use as a cinema, theatrical
productions and concerts in the proposals for the Public Service
Village.
10. Protects and contributes to the availability of community
facilities through refurbishment or new provision which can be
justified by needs which are evident in the local district.
11. Contributes towards the doubling of existing allotment
spaces by working with the council to retain provision and include
proposals for new plots and/or community gardens in housing
developments where appropriate throughout the borough but
especially in Hayling Island and north of Waterlooville.
12. In Chichester Harbour, Langstone Harbour and along the
Hayling Waterfront involves the modification of existing moorings
and berths. New additional moorings and berths will not be
permitted. New jetties and slipways will only be permitted where it
can be demonstrated that they are for essential public use.
13. Supports the improvement of existing cultural assets
with regard to the arts, sport, heritage, museums, and
creative activities, particularly the Old Town Hall, Havant.
14. Supports improving the educational and life chances
for young adults especially by facilitating access into
employment.
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2.08 The first priority in the Sustainable Community
Strategy Forward Together refers to Health and Wellbeing as
improving health and access to services including improving
physical activity. The Core Strategy can contribute significantly
to achieving this priority by planning for recreation, leisure and
culture especially by improving the opportunities for exercise for
all age groups including children’s play, walking, cycling and
sport, both organised and informal.
2.09 Key health issues are summarised in the Health Profile
2009, which is produced by the Association of Public Health
Observatories. Death rates from all causes combined and of early
death from heart disease and strokes have generally decreased since
the end of the 1990s and are below the average for England.
However, Havant Borough Council is one of the three local
authorities in Hampshire with the highest level of mortality from
heart disease and cancers according to the Hampshire Joint
Strategic Needs Assessment (2008), produced by the Primary Care
Trust and Hampshire County Council. Rates of violent crime and also
people diagnosed with diabetes are high in comparison with the
average for England.
2.10 However, life expectancy for men and women is better
than the average for England. In contrast areas where deprivation
is an issue, such as Leigh Park, life expectancy for men is seven
years lower than for those living in the least deprived areas.
Deprivation also has a major impact on young people; nearly 5,000
children are living in poverty in the borough. The Local Index of
Child Wellbeing 2009 ranks the borough as the lowest in Hampshire
and 271st out of 354 in England, clearly indicating a significant
challenge for the future.
2.11 According to the Health Profile 2009 the proportion of
children who are physically active is higher than the England
average. However, approximately 9% of reception year children can
be classified as obese. Child obesity clearly shows that the Core
Strategy needs to ensure that there are opportunities for healthy
exercise throughout the borough by ensuring the availability of
good quality play spaces which are safe, accessible and which
children want to use. This need for open space is reinforced by
information relating to the relatively low levels of participation
in sport. The most recent edition of the Quality of Life in
Hampshire 2008 report points out that in all the local authority
areas, except the Borough of Havant, at least one in four of 16 to
34 year olds play sport. The participation in sporting activities
by people aged 55 and above is low throughout Hampshire; the
percentage in the borough is amongst the lowest (11.5%). The Core
Strategy can make a significant contribution to increasing the
level of participation in a range of physical activities by
planning for safe, accessible and attractive provision for informal
recreation and sports for all age groups.
2.12 A sense of wellbeing complements physical heath and
depends on opportunities for personal development and for improving
the quality of life through living in a safe borough with a high
quality public realm with accessible countryside and coasts and
strong communities. One definition of culture is very diverse and
includes libraries, museums, archives, crafts and art.
Heritage and archaeology, for example, are also essential aspects
of culture and are considered further in the Caring for the Borough
Chapter.
2.13 Wellbeing can complement a healthy borough if
activities and events are available which people experience as
inspiring and pleasurable and which bring them together. People
also value living and working in healthy environments and places
which have a strong identity with a reputation for high quality
recreation, leisure and culture.
2.14 Policy CS1 supports government initiatives, for example
by providing improved play space and new provision (see ‘Where else
to look’).
2.15 Similarly, Policy CS1 supplements the South East Plan
Policy CC5: Supporting an Ageing Population by helping older people
to maintain healthy lifestyles. By focusing on health and wellbeing
CS1 also contributes to implementing the Hampshire County Council’s
Local Area Agreement (2008-2011) and the Hampshire Sustainable
Community Strategy. The Hampshire Local Area Agreement has
prioritised tackling mortality rates and problems such as obesity
which can benefit from improved recreation provision.
Greenspace
2.16 The borough has a variety of open spaces including
playing space of different types for use by children and adults. A
priority is making the most effective use of existing spaces as
well as creating new provision where possible. This sustainable
approach also applies to other leisure, community, cultural and
health facilities which effectively complement the provision of
open spaces of different types.
2.17 Evidence for the need for upgrading and increasing
provision is provided by the Open Space Audit which informed the
Havant Open Spaces Plan and PPG17 Assessment (2006). This, for
example, refers to an estimate of only 44 % of residents in the
borough who have access to high quality, high value multifunctional
greenspace within about a five minute walk. For this reason it is
important for the Core Strategy to contribute where possible to
increasing the availability of accessible high quality
greenspace. The Havant Open Spaces Plan and PPG17 Assessment
recommend that a network of strategic open spaces should be
designated.
2.18 The Core Strategy Policy CS1 confirms that there
should be at least one strategically significant greenspace or
sports facility in each of the Community Board areas. Where
improvements are required it is important that multi-functional
greenspaces take account of the Green Flag Award Standard.
2.19 A Green Infrastructure Strategy is currently being
developed jointly by local authorities in South Hampshire as part
of the PUSH initiative. Health and wellbeing can benefit from this
strategy because of the borough’s network of greenspaces inland and
along the coast.
2.20 New open spaces, for example in the West of
Waterlooville Major Development Area (see Strategic Site Profile 4
in Chapter 8) and improvements to existing provision can make a
significant contribution to the regeneration and reputation of the
borough as a leisure provider. The proposed cemetery in the West of
Waterlooville development, and existing cemeteries, are important
places for memories and life histories. Like other greenspaces they
are also important for nature conservation.
2.21 Other housing developments can contribute to health
and wellbeing by making space available for active recreation
and/or quiet leisure. The Strategic Framework for Leigh Park,
From Housing Estate to Sustainable Community identifies parks and
opportunities for sport in association with housing development and
improvements along the stream corridors. The strategic value of the
Hermitage Stream, for example, has recently been recognised as a
‘sub-regional scale blue corridor’ in the Green Infrastructure
Strategy published for the PUSH authorities. Other actions
are also identified for leisure and open space which will
contribute to health and wellbeing in Leigh Park.
2.22 The Havant Borough Sports Facility Report (2008)
points out the importance of improving the quality and value of
existing sports facilities. For example, it may be possible to
convert some tennis and other courts for multi-sport provision.
This could provide young people in particular with a network of
ball courts. The requirement for several types of additional
provision is identified in Purbrook, Havant, Hayling Island,
Cowplain, Leigh Park, Waterlooville and Emsworth.
Indoor Sports Provision
2.23 The
Sports Facility Report refers to Havant Leisure Centre becoming a
hub supplemented by other local provision. Additional indoor
swimming pools cannot be justified unless the population increases
by a significant amount. The Sports Facility Report also points out
that the current population of the borough is too low to support an
indoor tennis centre. However, it may be possible for a commercial
operator to develop a centre offering indoor courts to serve the
borough and further afield. The Town Centres, Retail and
Leisure Study (2009) identifies only 27% of respondents who visit
health and fitness clubs, including a significant number outside
the borough. More intensive use of schools may be possible
for some types of indoor sports thereby increasing local provision
in relation to the Building Schools for the Future Initiative.
Harbours
2.24 Langstone and Chichester Harbours have special qualities
which are central to health and wellbeing by providing space for
active recreation and quiet leisure. It is essential,
however, for recreation to take account of the importance of the
harbours for nature conservation and their landscape quality (see
information in Chapter 7 on national and international
designations). For these reasons it is not acceptable to increase
the number of berths in the harbours or for additional ancillary
infrastructure.
Walking and Cycling
2.25 Despite the nearness of countryside and the harbours, the
use of footpaths and bridleways has declined over four consecutive
years up to 2007 as indicated in the Quality of Life in Hampshire
2008 report. The council is concerned that this trend does not
continue as it is the only council in Hampshire where such a
significant problem has occurred.
2.26 The extension of the popular Hayling Billy Trail
through the eastern side of Hayling Island and along the Solent,
where possible, would be an attractive amenity for both local
residents and visitors. This path, especially if a continuous route
could be achieved, would complement the established Solent Way long
distance path and the Wayfarers’ Walk, for which the borough is
well known. However, it would be essential to take biodiversity
fully into account and by working in partnership with stakeholders
including voluntary groups and landowners.
2.27 Improvement to the cycle route network has been
identified as a strategic infrastructure project which will be
implemented with the involvement of partners such as SUSTRANS (the
National Cycling Charity and Consultancy) and Hampshire County
Council based on the current Cycling Strategy (and its successors).
The network, part of which forms sections of the National Cycle
Network, will not only provide opportunities for recreation but
also an alternative to using cars. Information in the 2001 Census
shows that only 3.8% of journeys were made by cycle. With safer
routes an increase in cycling can have substantial benefits for
health and reducing congestion. However, the number of accidents
needs to be reduced significantly. For example, between 2003 and
2006 there were three fatal and 21 serious accidents with a further
200 resulting in minor injuries. A substantial number of
accidents involved children.
2.28 Improvements to cycle and pedestrian routes along the
stream corridors are important for strengthening the strategic
links with the Solent, Staunton Country Park and Havant Thicket. A
route could be considered along Riders Lane Stream to connect the
Hermitage Stream with the proposed Havant Thicket Reservoir
Strategic Site. The route along the Hermitage Stream also connects
the proposed Dunsbury Hill employment development (see Strategic
Site Profile 3 in Chapter 8) with the central area of Havant.
The inclusion of cycle routes and footpaths in housing developments
where possible can improve linkage with local destinations.
Good design can ensure these links are attractive and safe to
use.
2.29 In the longer term the development of a reservoir at
Havant Thicket adjoining Staunton Country Park will enable the
extension of a network of paths for cycling (and walking) to be
provided. More information is contained in the Strategic Site
Profile in Chapter 8 including the proposal for water-based
recreation. The Havant Thicket proposal can contribute to reducing
pressure on sensitive landscapes and areas of nature conservation
importance along the coast.
Allotments
2.30 Allotments combine opportunities for growing healthy food
and exercise for people who do not want to play sport. They are
becoming more relevant because of the trend towards higher density
housing with relatively small gardens. More allotments would make a
significant contribution to the coordinated programme of education
for healthy lifestyles identified in Forward Together.
2.31 There are 650 plots throughout the borough (2009). The
doubling of this number by providing additional plots and community
gardens can be justified to enable the borough to fulfil its
statutory obligations. Although there is a need to retain
allotments in all parts of the borough it is particularly important
to increase accessible provision in Hayling Island and to the north
of Waterlooville, especially in Cowplain.
Libraries
2.32 Libraries are key cultural assets which contribute to the
viability of the centres of Havant, Waterlooville, Leigh Park,
Hayling Island and Emsworth. A significant investment of £1.4
million is being made at the Waterlooville, Havant, Hayling Island
and Leigh Park libraries. These improvements are supported by
information in the Quality of Life in Hampshire 2008 report which
shows that the use of libraries fell in the borough from 63% of
households in 2004-2005 to only 37% in 2006-2007.
Other Cultural Assets
2.33 More needs to be done to promote existing cultural
assets. These include Havant’s water and parchment heritage, Roman
connections, historical marine industries and Waterlooville’s
association with the battle of Waterloo. Emsworth and Hayling
Island are connected with authors P.G. Wodehouse and Nevil Shute
and The Mill House in Bedhampton has an association with the poet
John Keats. There is scope for expanding these literary
connections.
Cinemas and Theatres
2.34 All age
groups would benefit from having a cinema in the borough for
recreational and cultural reasons. Films are shown in the theatres
at Havant, Hayling Island and Emsworth Community Centre, otherwise
filmgoers travel to Portsmouth or Chichester. More local provision
would provide the community with somewhere to go in the evenings
without having to travel out of the borough.
2.35 There is a small theatre in South Hayling but this is
not a central location. The Havant Public Service Village which is
proposed to the north of Havant Town Centre, centred around the
current civic offices offers the potential for a theatre; cinema
and a range of other recreational and cultural activities at an
accessible location (see Strategic Site Profile 1 in Chapter
8).
2.36 It is important to retain the Old Town Hall (The
Spring) for recreational and cultural uses since it also occupies a
central location in East Street, Havant. However, this building is
being used to capacity, hence the justification for recreation and
leisure provision in the Public Service Village.
2.37 It is expected that this development will attract
people who do not currently participate in leisure and cultural
activities. According to the Town Centres, Retail and Leisure Study
(2009) the level of participation is low. For example, only
approximately 50 % of respondents to the study visited a cinema or
theatre. Since most people travel outside the borough for theatre
visits it is a sustainable aspiration to improve the theatre
facilities at a central location like the Havant Public Service
Village.
Cultural Centre
2.38 A new cultural centre to complement the Public Service Village
should be easily accessible and have wide appeal especially for
children and young adults. The priorities in the Hampshire County
Council’s Local Area Agreement (2008-2011) include children and
young people. Key targets relate to improving educational
achievements and especially the life chances of vulnerable young
people. Cultural activities can help young people into lifelong
learning and provide pathways into employment.
Community Facilities
2.39 Community facilities, such as
crèches, churches and community centres are significant local
resources for local people. Where essential and effective these
facilities need to be safeguarded through partnership initiatives.
Where there is a need for space to provide community events or to
refurbish a rundown or outmoded building there is the possibility
of funding resulting from the development of residential sites.
However, the priority is to use what we have better. The
Development Management Policy DM2 provides further detail on the
protection of community facilities.