Policy 16 requires new developments to provide social infrastructure facilities, like community centres or healthcare facilities, that are accessible and meet local needs. It applies to major developments and mixed-use projects. The council will resist proposals that harm residential areas or reduce social infrastructure.
Plain-English summary of the adopted policy text below. The full text is the rule; this is the gist.
The Council will work with infrastructure providers to support the provision of essential new services and improvement of existing facilities in Havering alongside residential development. The Council will make sure that new and existing residents will have access to a range of social infrastructure facilities by: i.
Supporting proposals for new and extended social infrastructure provided they:
Are accessible by public transport and active travel;
Are located within the community that they are intended to serve and incorporate an inclusive design;
Local Plan 2016-2031 Adopted 2021 London Borough of Havering
8 Thriving Communities
Do not adversely impact on residential character and amenity;
Ensure highway safety, especially in regards to pedestrians and cyclists;
Explore the possibility to co-locate, in multiuse buildings with complimentary services; and
Are provided in flexible, adaptable and 'healthy' buildings.
Requiring major developments to provide new social infrastructure facilities as part of mixed-use developments where feasible, where a deficiency is identified through the Council's Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP).
Applicants will be encouraged to consider funding arrangements for reasonable on-going maintenance costs.
Proposals which would result in a loss of social infrastructure in areas of defined need for that type of social infrastructure without realistic proposals for re-provision will not be permitted.
The suitability of redundant social infrastructure premises for accommodating other forms of social infrastructure for which there is a defined need in the locality should be assessed before alternative developments will be considered by the Council. The assessment should take account of site constraints and consider the feasibility and viability of retaining the site for alternative social infrastructure provision.
The Council will protect existing burial space provision as designated on the Policies Map to meet the need for burial space over the Plan period.
8.5.1
Social infrastructure covers a variety of health, community, cultural, sports and leisure facilities. It encompasses burial spaces, places of worship, health and education facilities, social care facilities, nurseries, theatres, sports pitches, swimming pools, and many other uses that provide a social function.
8.5.2
The Council will work with its partners to ensure facilities and services for local communities are provided in new developments. The Council's Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) sets out the future requirements for a variety of infrastructure types and identifies projects that match the Council's priorities. Section 14 Delivery and implementation provides more detail on how the Council aims to fund and deliver the infrastructure it needs to support development over the plan period.
8.5.3
Town centres and the borough's Strategic Development Areas are the preferred location for new social infrastructure as the increased and changing population in these areas trigger the need for additional facilities. However, this cannot always be achieved as provision in some facilities lend themselves to be located in existing residential areas. It should be demonstrated that adverse impacts are appropriately mitigated where facilities generate movement and potentially affect the residential character and amenity of the area,
8.5.4
In line with the London Plan new social infrastructure is expected to be accessible for all, and to extend the use to serve the wider community. This should encourage community participation and inclusion, and result in the effective use of land and buildings. It also helps to meet the growing demand for facilities, and is for example applicable to facilities on educational sites.
8.5.5
Following recommendations of the Indoor Sport and Leisure Facility Strategy (2016), where relevant, Community Use Agreements (CUA) will be secured to ensure dual use through s106 planning obligations. The development and implementation of CUAs can help support well-managed and safe community access to facilities on educational sites. As well as widening access to facilities and providing clarity on their use CUAs can help to enhance links between educational establishments and sports clubs.
8.5.6
New social infrastructure facilities are expected to be co-located with complimentary services, wherever possible, because this could improve the viability of particular services. It is recognised that there is potential to deliver social infrastructure facilities as part of mixed-use developments with residential or commercial uses. However, the co-location with other social infrastructure facilities should be prioritised to meet local needs.
8.5.7
Sites currently used by social infrastructure facilities may come under pressure for redevelopment.
The consolidation and modernisation of community facilities in accessible locations where multi-functional facilities can meet the needs of a range of users will be considered. The Council will, however, not permit proposals which would result in a loss of social infrastructure in an area of defined
London Borough of Havering Local Plan 2016-2031 Adopted 2021
8 Thriving Communities need for that type of social infrastructure without a convincing demonstration by the developer that equivalent replacement provision (in terms of size, usefulness, attractiveness, safety and quality) has been made. If the disposal of assets is part of an agreed programme of social infrastructure consolidation, the loss of social infrastructure in the areas of defined need may be acceptable. The Council will also give consideration to the viability of retaining existing social infrastructure provision.
This process, as well as the disposal of surplus or redundant assets will need to be managed to ensure that critical uses are not lost from the local area.
8.5.8
The future demand for burial space in the borough has been identified through the Council's Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Sufficient supply of multi-faith/interdenominational plots has been identified for the full Local Plan period. With regards to demands for burials meeting specific Muslim requirements arising from the wider North East London, including Havering, sufficient capacity has been identified until around 2024. The Council will support burial provision when the local need for such facilities can be demonstrated, based on up-to-date evidence.