387. The Borough Council recognises that accommodation for a
range of social and leisure activities is essential for thriving
communities. Proposals are therefore encouraged and will be
considered favourably where there is potential for development on
suitable sites. Redevelopment of existing community buildings can
be justified where it is possible to make fuller use of sites
without disadvantaging local residents.
CS1 COMMUNITY BUILDINGS
Buildings for community use will
be permitted where a need has been identified or where development
would improve existing provision.
Loss of community buildings will
only be allowed in areas where there is adequate provision in other
accessible buildings.
Planning permission will be
granted for a new community hall at Martin Road, West Leigh and the
upgrading or replacement of the Wecock community
building.
388. This policy refers to a variety of
community and/or leisure buildings such as meeting rooms for
example for scouts and guides, as well as village halls, churches
and public houses. Proposals should include sufficient parking and
appropriate access arrangements while ensuring that the environment
of local residents is safeguarded. The siting of community
buildings is also important, for example adjoining open spaces may
be an advantage for some types of development. The design of
buildings should make a significant contribution to the appearance
of the Borough. The development at Martin Road is a local community
initiative. The site is next to St Alban's Church, is
centrally-located between Petersfield Road and the railway and has
the advantage of adjoining open space. Community provision at
Wecock is a key part of the regeneration of the estate. The
existing building has serious structural defects and for this
reason its replacement is justified as part of the comprehensive
redevelopment of the village centre (see Policy UA4).
CS2 COMMUNITY HEALTH FACILITIES
Planning permission will be
granted for community health facilities at the former Oak Park
School site, Crossland Drive and the area adjacent to the Curlew
PH. Havant.
Permission for further community
health facilities at other sites will be granted, provided all of
the following requirements can be met:
(i) The site is easily
accessible to the community it is intended to serve, including by
public transport;
(ii) The amenity of residents in
the locality would not be adversely affected; and
(iii) The proposal would not
adversely affect the character of the area or have unacceptable
amenity, traffic or other environmental
implications.
389. The redevelopment of the former Oak
Park School site and land adjacent to the Curlew PH has given the
opportunity for a number of community health facilities close to
Havant Town Centre to the east of Petersfield Road.
390. There will be a requirement for
additional health facilities within the Borough during the plan
period. Careful consideration will be given to the scale, location,
accessibility and design of such facilities to ensure that the
impact on the surrounding environment is acceptable.
391. Further community health facilities
are proposed as part of the Reserve Housing Site H4.3 - Hampshire
Farm, Emsworth. This is considered to be a suitable location for a
Doctor's Surgery and Pharmacy should proposals come forward for
their provision as part of the comprehensive development of the
whole site and its release be deemed necessary under the provisions
of Policy H4.
CS3 REST AND NURSING HOMES
Rest and nursing homes will be
permitted in built-up areas provided the property is set in grounds
of sufficient size to provide:
(i) amenity space for
residents;
(ii) a setting for the building
in keeping with the area;
(iii) space for servicing and
car parking; and
(iv) for the possibility for
extensions and additional parking which may be required in the
future.
392. There is a demand for this type of
development because of the increasing number of elderly people in
the Borough. Proposals need to enable residents to enjoy private
open space and the policy complements other policies with regard to
the integration of the development into the existing residential
environment. Some areas may be more suitable than others for rest
and nursing homes because the type of housing lends itself to
conversion. However, the Council seeks to ensure a fairly even
spread throughout the Borough, avoiding concentrations that could
undermine the creation of mixed communities.
CS4 CEMETERIES
The development of extended or new cemeteries will be
permitted at the following locations:
(i) Warblington cemetery.
(ii)
St Mary's Church, Gable Head, Hayling Island.
(iii) Land at Plant Farm
as part of the Major Development Area.
393. The Borough requires additional cemetery space to meet
the demand for future burials. Currently there are three cemeteries
in the Borough but there is no further land adjoining the
Waterlooville Cemetery and it is anticipated that by 2005 all
graves will have been used once. In addition, there is no space for
further burials at St Faith's Cemetery, New Lane, Havant. However,
land to the east of the Church at Warblington is available for
cemetery use. The extension of the churchyard at St Mary's, Gable
Head is suitable because of its central and accessible location on
Hayling Island. The proposal for a cemetery as part of the MDA will
be located in the area of open space across the centre of the site,
broadly corresponding with its highest point, extending between
London Road and the Borough boundary linking with other open uses
beyond.