Issues and Options Document

(87) 9 Supporting Health, Community and Culture

(1) Introduction

9.1 Our residents need good access to high quality healthcare, and facilities and infrastructure to support their health and well-being. As a Local Planning Authority we are responsible for ensuring that we work effectively with the relevant infrastructure, education and healthcare providers, including Essex County Council, to ensure that we effectively plan for the public health and education needs of our local communities.

9.2 Supporting the delivery of a network of infrastructure, community, education and healthcare facilities across our district – as well as the wider South Essex sub-region – can have positive benefits for our residents. Access to green open space is also an important community resource that is essential to supporting the health and well-being of our residents. We need to ensure that any new schemes to deliver homes and jobs are well designed and deliver environments which the public feel safe to use, and are accessible by different ways to travel. This includes clear and legible routes through development, access to and within our green open spaces, and use of the public realm within our towns and villages.

(82) Health and Well-being

Where are we now?

9.3 Health and well-being goes beyond the delivery of healthcare facilities; it is about improving public health through promoting and protecting the physical and mental health of communities. Within the planning system, this is about enabling health and well-being initiatives and integrating this into all aspects of schemes; for example enabling access to public open space is only one solution; we also need to encourage our residents to access them and take part in physical activity through ensuring that they are high quality, safe and accessible. Overall it is about ensuring the right conditions are in place to improve the health of communities through planning for and enabling the right type and quality of infrastructure to be put in place at the right time.

9.4 The NPPF seeks to promote healthy communities, and requires Local Planning Authorities to plan to deliver opportunities for different members of local communities to meet, and support safe and accessible environments through designing out crime, ensuring clear pedestrian routes, and high quality, active public spaces (paragraph 69). The importance of access to high quality open spaces – as well as opportunities for sport and recreation – are also recognised as being important for health and well-being (paragraph 73). Public health is interwoven throughout the NPPF, including promoting sustainable travel, reducing congestion, improving air quality and delivering high quality homes, which combined seek to effectively plan for and deliver healthy and inclusive communities.

9.5 Essex County Council is responsible for public health. Our current policy in the Core Strategy (policy CLT4)gives a clear steer on those schemes which would need to consider the potential impact on healthcare infrastructure in the district. Schemes looking to deliver 50 homes or more, and commercial and industrial buildings over 1,000 square metres would need to undertake a Health Impact Assessment, and propose suitable mitigation measures. This approach seeks to prevent, and address, potential health inequalities and promote improved public health and well-being opportunities. The identification of suitable sites for additional healthcare facilities, and the renovation or replacement of facilities in need of updating is also supported. In addition our policies have an important role to play in encouraging healthy, active lifestyles for example by promoting access to open spaces, and leisure and recreational facilities within any schemes. The NPPF recognises that accessible, high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities.

9.6 The Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for contracting health services within the district to ensure that there is suitable healthcare provision that meets the needs of local communities. The CCG became responsible for this function from 1 April 2015. Although it is important to ensure that needs within local communities are met in terms of local healthcare infrastructure, such as GP provision, there is also a need to ensure that wider healthcare facilities such as hospitals are adequately equipped to deal with changes in the population's needs in the wider south east Essex area – across Rochford District, Castle Point Borough and Southend Borough. This needs to be addressed within the new Local Plan to ensure that there is appropriate provision over the plan period.

What are the identified issues?

9.7 Healthcare provision in the past has been largely ad-hoc and there has not been the clear direction that Local Planning Authorities need in order to effectively plan for such facilities. However with recent changes to the organisation of healthcare there is an opportunity to improve the planning of healthcare facilities across the district in a comprehensive and co-ordinated way. As part of the Duty to Co-operate we have been involved with the Castle Point and Rochford CCG, Southend CCG, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust to support the preparation of a longer term strategy for the delivery of healthcare facilities.

9.8 Ensuring that there is adequate healthcare provision in the district, both now and in the future, was raised as an issue during the early community engagement programme in 2016. There is concern about access to local GP services, in particular the ability to be seen within a reasonable time period, as well as the response of the emergency services and the ability of the hospitals to cope with increasing numbers of patients and emergencies. Improvements to healthcare infrastructure can be fed into our Infrastructure Delivery Plan and will link to the strategies and business planning of the CCG.

9.9 We need to ensure that future healthcare provision meets the needs of all our communities, particularly our older population which is projected to increase over the next 20 years as detailed in the South Essex SHMA. Supporting older people to have a healthy and active lifestyle can have a positive impact on local healthcare needs.  This is an initiative which is supported by our Ageing Population Strategy 2017-2017.

9.10 Concerns around air pollution were also raised during our early community engagement programme in 2016 in certain areas across the district; air quality is considered in more detail in the 'Protecting and Enhancing our Environment' chapter.

What are the realistic options?

9.11 There are four options that have been identified to promote the health and well-being of our local communities.

Option	Justification
Retain the current policy on healthcare provision	Our current policy in the Core Strategy policy CLT4 is considered to be appropriate in setting out the broad approach to support future healthcare provision and to work with relevant partners to ensure effective planning for new facilities. The policy could have a minor update to reflect the role of the Castle Point and Rochford CCG. For smaller sites this relies on calculations from the CCG on potential impact of schemes.
Ensure that land is specifically allocated for healthcare	There is a need to ensure that land set aside for healthcare is specifically allocated for the use, so that this is reflected in the value of the land which would have a positive impact on viability.
Do not have a policy on meeting healthcare needs	This approach would not enable us as the local planning authority to work effectively with the CCG to ensure that there is adequate healthcare provision in the future to meet the needs of local communities. In addition it would not meet the requirements of the Duty to Co-operate or the provisions within the NPPF. This is therefore not an appropriate option.
(6) Build on the existing healthcare policy to address wider health and well-being issues	As a Local Planning Authority, we need to consider the wider public health impact of our planning policies. Public health crosses a number of policy areas including promoting sustainable travel, reducing congestion, improving air quality, delivering high quality homes, and accessible open space. A wider policy will assist in supporting and bringing together the key elements which can impact on the health and well-being of local communities.

(14) Community Facilities

Where are we now?

9.12 There are a range of community facilities throughout the district, which includes local shops, meeting places, libraries, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship. These facilities tend to be well used and provide an important role for communities. Through our current approach in the Core Strategy (policy CLT6) we seek to safeguard the use of community facilities, and ensure that they continue to provide a useful function to the communities they serve, wherever possible.

9.13 National policy supports the retention and development of community facilities, particularly in more rural areas, in the interests of sustainability. We are required to plan positively for these facilities. Our Core Strategy recognises that there is a need for additional community facilities within the district which will continue to increase, and that such facilities can act as a focal point for new or existing communities, helping to strengthen identity and sense of community. Policy CLT6 seeks to safeguard community facilities from development, and promote new facilities where a need is shown.

What are the identified issues?

9.14 Such facilities can create a strong sense of community, however some facilities can become under threat or pressure to be developed for other uses, for example local shops and public houses. These facilities are largely dependent on private enterprise to ensure their viability and continued use as such to benefit the local community. This is particularly important in more rural areas where community facilities are more scarce. However, permitted development rights exist which enables certain facilities to change to other uses without the need to apply for planning permission.

What are the realistic options?

9.15 Three options have been identified for community facilities.

Option	Justification
Retain the existing policy	This approach would continue to seek to support community facilities as set out in Core Strategy policy CLT6.
(6) Strengthen the provisions with the existing policy	Community facilities can be registered as Assets of Community Value however case law has indicated that this may not necessarily prevent a community facility from being changed to an alternative use. It may therefore be appropriate to include a provision to resist the conversion of community facilities to residential, as this could undermine the sustainability and vibrancy of a community.
Do not have a policy on community facilities	We are required to take a positive approach to community facilities. To not have a policy would be contrary to the NPPF.

(79) Education and Skills

Where are we now?

9.16 As a district we have a well-educated and skilled workforce, with over a quarter of our workforce holding an NVQ level 4 equivalent or higher (degree level and above)^[39]. Just over 80% of those that are of working age are in employment; with the remaining consisting of students, those on temporary / long term sick or looking after the home / family, for example. We also have a lower percentage of people leaving education without any qualifications compared to regional and national averages. There are four secondary schools within Hockley, Rayleigh and Rochford and numerous primary schools throughout our towns and villages.

An educated workforce

9.17 As of 2016, there are 6,541 pupils registered in Primary and Nursery Education in the district, an increase of 3.1% since 2011 (6,344 pupils). In the same year, there were 5,859 pupils registered in secondary education in the district (including 691 at school-based sixth forms), an increase of 2.1% since 2011 (5,786 pupils). Ensuring that there is sufficient capacity within schools in the district to meet the future needs of residents is clearly of paramount importance.

9.18 As part of this, Essex County Council forecasts the potential excess or shortage of places in our primary and secondary schools on an annual basis. We have worked closely with them to deliver improvements in to provision up to 2025. In their role as commissioner for school places in Essex, Essex County Council also produce key reports including the Developers Guide to Contributions, the 10 Year Plan and Commissioning School Places in Essex. These reports set out the projected future capacities of schools, the projected number of pupils seeking education at these schools, and how development is expected to contribute to improving school provision in each area. Working alongside Essex County Council, we will need to ensure that any scheme supports improvements in school place provision to cater for the future educational needs of the district's residents, whether this is through expansion of existing schools or through the provision of new schools.

9.19 Our current policies in the Core Strategy (policy CLT2 and CLT3) supports this approach through requiring land to be set aside for new schools, enabling the expansion of existing schools and accumulating funds for future use. These have been supplemented by relevant policies within the Allocations Plan. Essex County Council is the local authority responsible for advising us on education needs in the district. We have worked closely with Essex County Council under the Duty to Co-operate to ensure that sufficient education provision – both primary and secondary – is provided to support new homes being delivered under our current plans to 2025. This includes new primary schools to the west of Rayleigh and Rochford, as well as land set aside for the expansion of King Edmund School in Rochford. Contributions will continue to be sought for the expansion of the other secondary schools, and primary schools on a site by site basis as required. We also need to make provision for early years and childcare facilities. Widening the choice in education and taking a positive, proactive and collaborative approach to meeting future need is supported by national policy.

A Skilled Workforce

9.20 We have strong links with London which means that we need to accept that a certain level of out-commuting will always be important given our close proximity to the city, as well as other key employment destinations in the county. The strength of our economy, however, can be demonstrated by the fact that, of all businesses registered in the district, 41% have existed for more than 10 years and a further 30% for between four and nine years. There are approximately 29,000 jobs in the district, which gives a job density of 0.56, and means there are only 0.56 jobs available to each person of working age living in the district. This highlights the need to provide more jobs within the district to meet the needs of our residents and also to act as a counter to the high levels of out-commuting.

9.21 The largest sectors for employment in the district include the construction, retail, professional, scientific and technical sectors. We also have a relatively high proportion of enterprises in the IT, digital and creative sector. However there is a mismatch between the level of skills and qualifications of our residents required for available local employment opportunities. A skills training academy is supported in the Core Strategy particularly in relation to the high-value aviation-related sector.

9.22 We are committed to developing a continual supply of a skilled young workforce and promoting apprenticeship opportunities, particularly higher apprenticeships to school leavers. Therefore, from 2017, a 3 year programme of Career Taster Days has been developed with the district's secondary schools, which focuses on promoting the career opportunities available in the South Essex skill shortage areas and in particular within our district. Access to skills, training and education – whether secondary, higher or further – can improve the health and well-being of communities through providing greater choice to access employment opportunities. 

9.23 Students are now required to stay in some form of education or training until the age of 18. In the district, 1.8% to 2% of those between the ages of 16 and 18 were not in employment, education or training (NEETs), from September 2016 to January 2017, according to the Essex Employability and Skills Unit. This equates to between 34 and 38 individuals. There are no colleges or universities in the district but each of our secondary schools has its own sixth form, and there is a wide choice of colleges and universities in neighbouring areas, including South East Essex College and University of Essex.

What are the identified issues?

9.24 The relationship between Essex County Council as the education authority and schools has changed in recent years. Within the district all four of our secondary schools now hold academy status, which means they are self-governing and in control of their own budgets and staffing. Essex County Council still has an advisory role, but even if a need is identified for a school to expand, Essex County Council cannot insist on it. There is therefore a need to work closely with schools in the district to ensure that adequate provision is delivered to meet the needs of local communities in the future.

9.25 There is concern within local communities about the capacity of secondary schools to meet needs in the future; particularly within the outlying villages of Hullbridge, Canewdon and Great Wakering where pupils are bussed to their nearest secondary school, as identified through the early community engagement programme in 2016. In Canewdon for example there was a recognised need to sustain the local school; it was also highlighted that there is a need for more childcare facilities in the village.  Appropriate education and childcare provision is therefore important to local communities and needs to be appropriately addressed through plan-making. The Essex County Council-produced report, Commissioning School Places in Essex, forms a useful tool as itsets out the current and projected pupil numbers at each school, enabling us to identify any specific issues relating to under-supply or over-demand of schools in a particular area. 

9.26 As a general guide around 800 new homes would generate a need for a new primary school and around 3,000 new homes would generate a need for a four form entry secondary school, with up to 6,000 new homes generating a need for an eight form entry secondary school. However this need is dependent on other factors including the current capacity of existing schools, as well as the location of any new homes in proximity to one another to generate a need. There are also complex flows both across the district and between neighbouring local authorities – primarily Southend and Castle Point Boroughs – which need to be taken into consideration. We will therefore need to work with Essex County Council and Southend Borough Council under the Duty to Co-operate, and with other relevant authorities, on cross-boundary issues such as education.

9.27 There is a skills gap in the district of necessary skills for specific careers, which impacts on the ability of local people to access certain local jobs. Core Strategy policy ED1 supports the development of a skills training academy to bridge this recognised gap, however deliverability is likely to be an issue. We need to intervene early to inform students of their choices, and work in partnership with skills training providers to continue to nurture them into successful career paths. Working with students is a key opportunity to educate students of the skills gap and those skills that are in demand which is a key role, performed by our economic development officers. We will continue to be an active partner of the Castle Point and Rochford Employment, Skills and Business Group. One of the fundamental aims of this group is to work with local stakeholders to promote skills and education. We also need to invest in up-skilling our workforce through promoting apprenticeships, especially higher apprenticeships and working with local businesses wherever possible to support these through the plan-making process. We have explored this issue further in the emerging Rochford District Economic Growth Strategy 2017.

9.28 The Economic Development Needs Topic Paper 2017 notes that across Essex skills and education are a concern, as there is an increasing need for higher level skills and qualifications as growth continues in professional and senior occupations. There is a mismatch between the level of skills and qualifications of our residents required for available local employment opportunities, which means that there is a need to invest in up-skilling our working age population – as well as those progressing through our local secondary schools. The closure of the Adult Community Learning Centre in Rochford supports the need for the development of a skills training academy, as identified in the Core Strategy. This may not be feasible given the increase in further and higher education provision in neighbouring authorities within South Essex. Other initiatives may need to be considered to support up-skilling in the district.

What are the realistic options?

9.29 There are five options that have been identified to plan for education and skills development in the future.

Option	Justification
(2) Retain the current policies on schools provision	The detail of current policies in the Core Strategy – specifically policies CLT2 and CLT3 – are considered to be appropriate in setting out the broad approach to facilitating the delivery of new schools, school expansion and financial contributions to deliver improvements. However, some elements of the policies may need updating to reflect planned delivery and future need.
(1) Ensure that land is specifically allocated for schools	There is a need to ensure that land set aside for education is specifically allocated for the use, so that this is reflected in the value of the land which would have a positive impact on viability.
Do not have a policy on meeting education needs	This approach would not enable us as the local planning authority to work effectively with Essex County Council and local schools to ensure that there is adequate school provision in the future to meet the needs of local communities. In addition it would not meet the requirements of the Duty to Co-operate or the provisions within the NPPF. This is therefore not an appropriate option.
(1) Update the current employment growth policy on skills and continue to support skills development through a skills training academy	Our current policy (Core Strategy policy ED1) supports the development of a skills training academy to enhance the skills base within the district and match local skills with locally available employment opportunities. There is a mismatch coupled with a shortage of specific skills within our district. Whilst the delivery of a skills training academy is still an aspiration, deliverability may be an issue. In the interim, up-skilling of our workforce is important and through promoting apprenticeships and working with local businesses this could be supported through the plan-making process and working with local colleges to address identified skills gaps arising in the future.
(1) Promote apprenticeships through planning	Similar to proposals within neighbouring authorities, we could consider conditioning approved applications for new, extension to or the replacement of employment provisions to require businesses to work with us and our partners to offer apprenticeships and further education training to residents.

(10) Early Years and Childcare Provision

Where are we now?

9.30 Essex County Council is responsible for meeting certain statutory responsibilities relating to the provision of early years and childcare services within the district. This includes supporting early years and childcare providers with information, advice, guidance and training, as well as funding early years and childcare providers to meet certain agreed objectives. The Essex Early Years and Childcare Strategy 2015-2018^[40] sets out Essex County Council's strategic objectives and priorities relating to early years and childcare services across Essex.

9.31 The provision of early years and childcare facilities is a key service which supports parents wishing to re-enter employment, continue with their current employment or to pursue further or higher education. Both the Core Strategy and Allocations Plan identify where additional early years and childcare facilities are required – which is supplemented by up-to-date information at the planning application stage. Core Strategy policy CLT2 sets out the broad requirements for the provision of early years and childcare facilities that are required to accompany the delivery of new homes. Essex County Council monitors the demand and supply for these facilities across Essex to give an overview of the additional early years and childcare facilities that would be needed as a result of population growth within an area.

9.32 The figures below in Table 11 have been provided by Essex County Council as of August 2016 and identify the point at which a development site would trigger early years and childcare provision. Those wards which are red suggest that not much development would be needed in the area to trigger a need for early years and childcare provision. This this a snap shot which does not take into account new homes planned as part of our current policies in the Core Strategy and Allocations Plan, but it does identify where there is likely to be a shortfall in provision in the future.

Table 11: Triggers for early years and childcare provision (source: Essex County Council)

Ward Name [41]	Provision Type	Amount of EYCC funded places available	Early Years provision needed	RAG rating
Ashingdon and Canewdon	There are currently 5 providers: Childminder  1 Pre-School   4	There are currently 6 (2 year old funded) places available, and 12 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 18 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Amber
Barling and Sutton	There are currently 4 providers: After-School Club  1 Breakfast Club       1 Day Nursery          1 Holiday Club          1	There are currently 7 (2 year old funded) places available, and 10 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 17 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Amber
Downhall and Rawreth	There are currently 5 providers: Childminder  2 Day Nursery 2 Pre-School 1	There are currently 3 (2 year old funded) places available, and 3 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 6 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Green
Foulness and Great Wakering	There are currently 6 providers: Childminder 5 Pre-School 1	There are currently 2 (2 year old funded) places available, and 2 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 4 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Red
Grange	There are currently 9 providers: Childminder          5 After-School Club  1 Breakfast club        1 Day Nursery          1 Primary School Nursery          1	There are currently 0 (2 year old funded) places available, and 10 (3-4 year old funded) places available	Due to the insufficient amount of 2 year old funded vacancies. We would look to add additional Early Years and childcare provision within this ward.	Red
Hawkwell North	There are currently 4 providers: Childminder 3 Pre-School 1	There are currently 4 (2 year old funded) places available, and 4 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 8 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Amber
Hawkwell South	There are currently 3 providers: Childminder 2 Pre-School 1	There are currently 1 (2 year old funded) places available, and 1 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 2 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Red
Hawkwell West	There is currently 3 providers: Childminder 2 Day Nursery 1	There are currently 0 (2 year old funded) places available, and 0 (3-4 year old funded) places available	Due to the insufficient amount of 2 and 3-4 year old funded vacancies. We would look to add additional Early Years and childcare provision within this ward.	Red
Hockley Central	There are currently 11 providers: Childminder 7 Day Nursery 2 Pre-School 2	There are currently 23 (2 year old funded) places available, and 25 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 48 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Green
Hockley West	There are currently 2 providers: Childminder 1 Holiday Club 1	There are currently 0 (2 year old funded) places available, and 0 (3-4 year old funded) places available	Due to the insufficient amount of 2 and 3-4 year old funded vacancies. We would look to add additional Early Years and childcare provision within this ward.	Red
Hullbridge	There are currently 3 providers: Childminder  2 Pre-school    1	There are currently 1 (2 year old funded) places available, and 2 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 3 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Red
Lodge	There are currently 6 providers: Childminder  5 Pre-school   1	There are currently 0 (2 year old funded) places available, and 0 (3-4 year old funded) places available	Due to the insufficient amount of 2 and 3-4 year old funded vacancies. We would look to add additional Early Years and childcare provision within this ward.	Red
Rayleigh Central	There are currently 2 providers: Childminder  2	There are currently 0 (2 year old funded) places available, and 0 (3-4 year old funded) places available	Due to the insufficient amount of 2 and 3-4 year old funded vacancies. We would look to add additional Early Years and childcare provision within this ward.	Red
Rochford	There are currently 10 providers: Childminder 4 Pre-school 1 Day Nursery 4 Primary School Nursery   1	There are currently 20 (2 year old funded) places available, and 40 (3-4 year old funded )places available	There would need to be at least 60 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Green
Sweyne Park	There are currently 12 providers: Childminder  11 Pre-school    1	There are currently 0 (2 year old funded) places available, and 0 (3-4 year old funded) places available	Due to the insufficient amount of 2 and 3-4 year old funded vacancies. We would look to add additional Early Years and childcare provision within this ward.	Red
Trinity	There are currently 4 providers: Childminder  2 Pre-school    2	There are currently 1 (2 year old funded) places available, and 1 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 2 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Red
Wheatley	There are currently 7 providers: Childminder  5 Pre-school    2	There are currently 0 (2 year old funded) places available, and 1 (3-4 year old funded) places available	Due to the insufficient amount of 2 year old funded vacancies. We would look to add additional Early Years and childcare provision within this ward.	Red
Whitehouse	There are currently 3 providers: Day Nursery     2 Pre-school     1	There are currently 5 (2 year old funded) places available, and 4 (3-4 year old funded) places available	There would need to be at least 9 funded places being generated for Early Years provision to be considered.	Amber

What are the identified issues?

9.33 Essex County Council's Early Years and Childcare service are beginning to develop new facilities in the hotspot areas where there is likely to be a shortfall, and are beginning to put forward proposals for Childrens Centres that have closed to offer additional childcare. However the Early Years and Childcare sufficiency data still demonstrates a shortfall of places in specific wards.

9.34 The information in Table 11 can assist with plan-making, however it should be recognised that since September 2017, the Government has been implementing the extended funding entitlement offer for 3-4 year olds. The additional 15 hours of free childcare is available alongside the current 15 hours universal offer for families. These additional hours are for families where both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone-parent family), and each parent earns the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the national minimum or living wage, and earns less than £100,000 a year. This could significantly affect the data shown in Table 11 with a further shortfall of places.

9.35 Since April 2017 Virgin Care, in partnership with Barnardos, has been delivering the Child and Family Wellbeing Service (Pre-Birth- 19 and PB-25 for SEND) throughout the whole of Essex. As part of this process every district now has a dedicated family hub – in our district, the hub will be the Oak Tree in Rayleigh – as well as multiple family hub delivery sites. The centres will also undertake outreach services into local libraries and community areas where there is felt a need for additional services to be provided.

What are the realistic options?

9.36 Three options have been identified for the provision of early years and childcare facilities. Option

Option	Justification
(3) Retain the current policies on schools, early years and childcare	The detail of current policies in the Core Strategy – specifically policies CLT2 and CLT3 – are considered to be appropriate in setting out the broad approach to facilitating the delivery of new schools, early years and childcare facilities, school expansion and financial contributions to deliver improvements. However, some elements of the policies may need updating to reflect planned delivery and future need.
(3) Ensure that land is specifically allocated for schools, early  years and childcare	There is a need to ensure that land set aside for education is specifically allocated for the use, so that this is reflected in the value of the land which would have a positive impact on viability.
Do not have a policy on early years and childcare facilities	This approach would not enable us as the local planning authority to work effectively with Essex County Council and local schools to ensure that there is adequate school provision in the future to meet the needs of local communities. In addition it would not meet the requirements of the Duty to Co-operate or the provisions within the NPPF. This is therefore not an appropriate option.

(27) Open Space and Outdoor Sports and Recreation 

Where are we now? 

9.37 National policy recognises that access to high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of communities. There are many open spaces across the district, which are available and accessible for both formal and informal leisure uses. This can include parks, public gardens, playing fields and allotments. These areas contribute to the character of the district's settlements, and form important green networks, as well as providing opportunities for sport and recreation.

9.38 Our current policy in the Core Strategy (policy CLT5) requires any schemes to incorporate suitable open space to support future needs of local communities. It also seeks to protect existing open spaces. The calculations for providing new open space as part of any schemes are detailed within our Open Spaces Study 2009. Core Strategy policy CLT10 sets out our broad approach to the provision of playing pitches in particular.There are specific calculations for providing areas for formal sports pitches, which are set out within our Playing Pitch Strategy 2012.

9.39 Our Allocations Plan policy OSL1 allocates areas of land in the district which are existing open space, as defined in our Open Spaces Study, and policy OSL2 specifically identifies those schemes which would require open space provision in accordance with our local standards. Our Development Management Plan also provides further guidance on the suitability of locating playing pitches for formal sports (football, rugby, cricket and hockey) across the district within policy DM16. Depending on their size and scale these are considered to be appropriate in certain circumstances taking into account the impact on the Green Belt.

9.40 Open space is an important resource for local communities, with many areas providing a multi-functional use; for example walking and cycling, informal play and formal sports such as football and cricket. Ensuring high quality, accessible open spaces is important given the increasing pressure on land for other uses. We are required by national policy to base our open space policies on up-to-date evidence to assess the quantity and quality of existing provision, and identify potential future needs for different open spaces. We are in the process of updating our sports, recreation and open space evidence through a joint working approach with other authorities in South Essex.

What are the identified issues?

9.41 Our current evidence on the demand for playing pitches is in need of updating to inform the planning of future provision. We are working with neighbouring authorities in South Essex to prepare more strategic level evidence of needs across the sub-region for sports and recreation. There is a similar issue relating to our evidence on open space requirements in the district. However, we will work with our neighbouring authorities to update our evidence in line with national policy, and to identify ways to improve connectivity between green spaces through the provision of 'green' corridors. This would have a positive impact on biodiversity in the district. Biodiversity and green infrastructure are considered in more detail in the 'Protecting and Enhancing our Environment' chapter.  

What are the realistic options? 

9.42 There are four options that have been identified for open space, outdoor sports and recreation.

Option	Justification
Retain, and where necessary update, the existing overarching policy on open spaces	Core Strategy policy CLT5 provides our broad approach to the protection of existing, and requirements for new, public open space across the district. It is considered to be fit for purpose but would benefit from updating where necessary.
Retain, and where necessary update, our current policy on existing open space	Allocations Plan policy OSL1 allocates all of the areas which are currently identified and are in use. This may need to be updated for example if new open spaces are identified through a strategic review of our Open Spaces Study 2009 and Playing Pitch Strategy 2012.
Retain, and where necessary update, our current policy on new open space	Allocations Plan policy OSL2 identifies the strategic locations where it is expected that new open space would be provided as part of schemes. This may need to be updated as the new Local Plan progress, and taking into consideration a strategic review of our Open Spaces Study 2009 and Playing Pitch Strategy 2012.
(1) Retain, and where necessary update, our current policies	Core Strategy policy CLT10 sets out the broad approach to the provision of playing pitches. Development Management Plan policy DM16 provides detailed criteria for locating playing pitches. This policy is considered to be fit for purpose but would benefit from minor updates in relation to landscape character, following a review of our evidence, where necessary.

(1) Indoor Sports and Leisure Centres

Where are we now?

9.43 Sport and leisure activities have an important role to play in improving the health, well-being and quality of life of residents, and supporting the local economy. The importance of having good quality, accessible leisure facilities is reinforced in the NPPF (particularly paragraphs 70 and 73). The district contains a number of both private and public sports and leisure facilities, including those on school premises. The two main leisure centres are Clements Hall in Hawkwell and Rayleigh Leisure Centre to the west of Rayleigh, but their offer is complemented by a variety of other private facilities across the district, and potentially elsewhere in neighbouring areas.

9.44 The Core Strategy recognises that there are a number of potential leisure opportunities, such as within school premises, which are currently not available to all.  If these facilities were opened up fully they have the potential to increase accessibility to leisure activities for residents. Accessibility of leisure and recreation facilities is an important issue and future leisure developments should be in locations accessible by a range of transport options – such as walking, cycling and public transport. 

9.45 The Retail and Leisure Study 2014 found that residents of the district have relatively good access to a range of leisure facilities, including facilities in neighbouring areas. However, the study also found that the proximity of major leisure facilities in neighbouring districts may limit the potential for any major commercial leisure facilities in the district. The study also found there to be an adequate supply of gyms and health clubs within the district to meet local needs for the foreseeable future.

9.46 Paragraph 74 of the NPPF seeks to protect existing built facilities for sport and leisure use, unless there is evidence to show they are surplus to requirements, they would be replaced by an equivalent or better facilities, or other sports needs outweigh the loss. Core Strategy Policy CLT9 sets out our broad policy for indoor sports and leisure facilities across the district. It seeks to maintain and enhance facilities and encourage school premises to make their facilities accessible to all. Furthermore, Clements Hall Leisure Centre in Hawkwell and Rayleigh Leisure Centre are specifically allocated as leisure facilities in the Allocations Plan (Policy OSL3), in order to preserve their use. Great Wakering Leisure Centre was not allocated as at the time it had closed.

9.47 An assessment of built leisure facilities will be undertaken alongside the review of playing pitches for the wider South Essex area to strategically assess the need for these facilities across the sub-region.

What are the identified issues?

9.48 Whilst the Retail and Leisure Study 2014 found that residents of the district have relatively good access to a range of leisure facilities, including those in neighbouring districts, there is local disparity between the diversity and quality of these facilities. At present, whilst some residents may reside close to a leisure facility, they may still have to travel a significant distance to access a specific type of leisure facility, e.g. a swimming pool. As part of our early community engagement programme in 2016, specific concerns were raised about the lack of swimming facilities in Rayleigh and the lack of operational leisure facilities in Great Wakering.

9.49 The Core Strategy identifies that many schools within the district contain or operate leisure facilities, but that these are not always accessible to residents. If these facilities were made accessible to residents, this may help to expand and diversify the offer of leisure facilities across the district.

What are the realistic options?

9.50 There are two options that have been identified to address the provision of indoor sports and leisure centres.

Option	Justification
(5) Retain the existing policy	This approach would continue to seek to deliver the ambitions of Core Strategy policy CLT9 to preserve and enhance existing facilities, and to make the best use of other underutilised facilities by encouraging those, such as within school premises, to be made accessible to all.
Do not have a policy on indoor sports and leisure centres	To not have a policy would weaken our ability to preserve and enhance our indoor sports and leisure facilities, and would be inconsistent with national policy which seeks to protect existing built facilities for sport and leisure use.

(1) Facilities for Young People

Where are we now?

9.51 Youth facilities provide a useful service to young people in the district, providing them with places to meet with their peers and participate in recreational activities.

9.52 The Core Strategy identified a lack of accessible, appropriate, informal meeting places for young people in the district, made complex by the varying needs of facilities for younger and older teenagers. As a consequence, policy CLT8 seeks to encourage the provision of additional facilities for young people within appropriate locations where a need has been identified and which are accessible by a range of transport options. Such facilities will need to be well managed, flexible to changing needs and ultimately be appropriate to the target age-group.

9.53 Appendix H1 of the Core Strategy identifies specific opportunities to increase the provision of activities for young people in the central area of Hockley, and on the majority of strategic sites identified in policies H2 and H3. More detailed on the specific thresholds for youth facilities for these sites is provided within the Allocations Plan. These requirements are based on the findings of the Open Space Study 2009.

9.54 Paragraph 70 of the NPPF requires planning authorities to plan positively for the provision and use of community facilities, such as meeting places, which would include youth facilities. Furthermore, the NPPF requires us to guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services.

What are the identified issues?

9.55 Formal places where people can meet and interact with their peers have traditionally fallen into two categories: spaces for children (e.g. playgrounds); and spaces for adults (e.g. pubs). Both of these spaces tend not to be accepting of young people. These reasons have meant that existing meeting places are insufficient and unsuitable for the needs of young people, and mean there is an unmet demand for additional youth facilities. The need for more facilities for young people in Great Wakering and Rochford was raised by residents during the early community engagement programme in 2016.

What are the realistic options?

9.56 Two options have been identified to address the provision of youth facilities.

Option	Justification
(4) Retain the existing policy	Core Strategy policy CLT8 identifies the requirement to provide age appropriate youth facilities where need is identified, in an accessible location. This covers all the aspects needed for such a policy.
Do not have a policy on youth facilities	Having no specific policy on youth facilities weakens our ability to provide additional facilities for young people in the district.

(3) Play Space Facilities

Where are we now?

9.57 In order to reduce the amount of greenfield (undeveloped) land needed to deliver new homes, it has become increasingly difficult to ensure that homes have large garden areas that can be used as play space. Therefore the need to provide communal play space is becoming even more vital within new housing schemes. Play spaces are a valuable community asset which provide a recreation facility for children, and can help foster a sense of community through providing a space where neighbours can interact.

9.58 Policy CLT7 of the Core Strategy requires new developments to incorporate appropriate communal play space in compliance with the Council's Open Space Study 2009. This strategy sets out our approach to the delivery of communal play space. It is crucial these are conformed with in order to successfully deliver desirable, safe play space. Appendix H1 of the Core Strategy identifies specific opportunities to increase the provision of play spaces within the majority of strategic sites identified in policies H2 and H3. More detailed on the specific thresholds for play space for these sites is provided within the Allocations Plan. These requirements are based on the findings of the Open Space Study 2009.

What are the identified issues?

9.59 Play spaces are a valuable community asset which provide recreation facilities for younger people. Whilst the district is home to a significant number of play spaces, accessibility and quality is somewhat uneven across the district. It is therefore of importance to ensure that existing play spaces are preserved and enhanced, where appropriate, and that new play spaces are provided, where justified, which offer a safe environment to those using them. Through the early community engagement programme in 2016 it was suggested that there is a need for more play areas in Rochford in particular.

9.60 Some of our older play spaces are poorly located, and have not been planned as an integral part of a housing scheme. This can mean that there are issues with natural / passive surveillance, access, security and quality. There is an ongoing need to secure funding for the maintenance of play areas, to ensure that their quality is upheld and effective safe working practices can be carried out to ensure play spaces remain safe for all.

What are the realistic options?

9.61 There are two options that have been identified to address the provision of play spaces.

Option	Justification
(5) Retain the existing policy	Core Strategy policy CLT7 is reasonable in its requirements to incorporate communal play space within new housing schemes. Associated charges, maintenance and protection of play spaces are also considered to be addressed by the policy, comprehensively covering all aspects of delivering and maintaining adequate safe play space.
Do not have a policy on play space	This is not seen as an appropriate option. Accessibility to play space is vital to the quality of life of local residents and is proven to improve health amongst the population, as well as fostering a sense of community. As such, play space comprises a crucial role in the make up of new residential schemes.