Issues and Options Document

Support

Representation ID: 34545

Received: 02/01/2018

Respondent: The Theatres Trust

The Theatres Trust agrees with the option to strengthen existing Core Strategy Policy to ensure the revised Local Plan reflects the NPPF.

The Theatres Trust agrees with the option to strengthen existing Core Strategy Policy to ensure the revised Local Plan reflects the NPPF.

Rochford has a range of important cultural facilities that contribute to the vibrancy of towns and villages, the local economy, and to the well-being of the local community. This should be reflected in the new Local Plan.

Culture and cultural activity helps develop a sense of place and makes communities unique and special. Cultural and community facilities support the day to day needs of local communities and help promote well-being and improve quality of life. Participation in cultural events can contribute to social cohesion, reduce isolation and loneliness, skills development and learning, as well as providing the entertainment and stimulation needed to develop vibrant communities and grow the economy. There is also a growing awareness of the role that the arts and culture play in attracting and retaining residents and a skilled workforce. Cultural facilities include theatres, live music venues (inc. public houses), community spaces, museums, cinemas, libraries and other public and performance venues, and they are important in supporting the local and visitor economy by attracting people to these centres where other businesses then benefit from the flow on effects.

The local plan should therefore support arts and culture at all levels to support the local economy and ensure that all residents and visitors, and future generations, have access to cultural opportunities. Policies should protect, support and enhance cultural facilities and activities, particularly those which might otherwise be traded in for more commercially lucrative developments, and promote cultural led development as a catalyst for regeneration in town centres.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides clear directions to local planning authorities about the importance of safeguarding and promoting cultural activities and venues in their areas.
* One of the 12 core planning principles (paragraph 17) is the need to plan for culture to support social wellbeing and sustainable communities.
* Paragraph 23 recognises the important role town centres play in supporting communities and notes that cultural venues make a valuable contribution to the vibrancy and success of these centres.
* Paragraph 70 states that in 'promoting healthy communities', planning decisions should 'plan positively for cultural buildings' and 'guard against the loss of cultural facilities and services.'
* Paragraph 156 directs local planning authorities to ensure their local plan includes cultural policies that reflect the NPPF .

To meet the NPPF requirements and support cultural well-being, the Trust recommends a revised policy along the lines of:

Cultural and Community Facilities
1. Development of new cultural and community facilities will be supported and should enhance the well-being of the local community, and the vitality and viability of centres.
2. Major developments are required to incorporate, where practicable, opportunities for cultural activity to widen public access to art and culture, including through the interpretation of the heritage of the site and area.
3. The loss or change of use of existing cultural and community facilities will be resisted unless:
* replacement facilities are provided on site or within the vicinity which meet the need of the local population, or necessary services can be delivered from other facilities without leading to, or increasing, any shortfall in provision; or
* it has been demonstrated that there is no longer a community need for the facility or demand for another community use on site.
4. The temporary and meanwhile use of vacant buildings and sites by creative, cultural and community organisations will also be supported, particularly where they help activate and revitalise town centre locations and the public realm.

For clarity, and so that guidelines are clear and consistent, the accompanying text and the Glossary should contain an explanation for the term 'cultural and community facilities'. We recommend this succinct all inclusive description which would obviate the need to provide examples: cultural and community facilities provide for the health and wellbeing, social, educational, spiritual, recreational, leisure and cultural needs of the community.