COMMUNITY

Community Aim

12.1 The key aim in relation to the Community is:

“to safeguard and enhance community facilities within the district, and to strengthen the sense of community.”

Community Objectives

12.2 To further this aim, the Community objectives of the Local Plan are:

Objective 56: Local Communities
To guide the further development of existing communities within the District, ensuring the presence of a satisfactory mix of uses and facilities within them.

Objective 57: Identity
To safeguard the separate identities of Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn, Bewdley, and the rural settlements of the District.

Objective 58: Safety and Security
To promote developments and initiatives that will improve community safety and help ensure a sense of security.

Objective 59: Partnerships
To encourage the involvement of both the residential and business communities in all aspects of the planning process.

Context - Strengthening the Sense of Community

12.3 The implementation of the Local Plan can play a valuable role in achieving the Council's wider objective for "Community Life" as set out in 'Words into Action: Our Best Value Performance Plan', which states:

"We want to ensure Wyre Forest has a strong and individual identity as a dynamic, articulate community which values its distinct sense of place"

12.4 PPG12, includes a section entitled: 'Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone', which sets out the national framework for the consideration of social (or community) issues in development plans. Clearly, land use planning and development can have a significant impact on accentuating a sense of community and a local identity. This can be achieved in a number of ways, but principally it is achieved through:

- creating a place where people want to live and work, and where people respect the local environment;

- encouraging the design of buildings and spaces to which people can relate to;

- ensuring the provision of sufficient community facilities in locations where people will interact;

- harnessing and enhancing local distinctiveness, heritage, monuments and the buildings of shared institutions and;

- encouraging the development of shared proposals and initiatives partnerships.

12.5 Many of these fundamental issues are considered within this chapter, or elsewhere in the Plan. For example, Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act and the associated issues of crime prevention and community safety are considered in detail as part of the design section.

Mixed Uses and Local Communities

12.6 Ensuring the appropriate mix of land uses to meet the needs of local communities, which can offer the opportunity to reduce the need to travel, is a fundamental way in which the Plan can maintain and create more sustainable communities. There are a number of tiers at which achieving this balance may be considered and it is desirable to ensure the appropriate provision of various facilities, services and accommodation to meet the needs of:

- the district as a whole;
- settlements (towns and villages);
- neighbourhoods (e.g. Broadwaters, Mitton etc.) and;
- occasionally individual sites (mixed-use development opportunities).

12.7 Clearly, whilst each identifiable community will generally have a range of very local facilities such as churches and community centres, many facilities will serve groups of communities or even the whole District, e.g. supermarkets and hospitals. The type, size and location of each facility obviously depend upon the number, density and characteristics of the population it serves. The suitable provision of town centre uses (retail, office and commercial leisure) should be considered in the context of the hierarchy in paragraphs 13.11 to 13.13 of the retail chapter.

12.8 The policies outlined in this section are not about the provision of community facilities, but rather seek to ensure a general balance of uses at the appropriate levels (district, settlement, neighbourhood or site). It is considered that striking the right balance will give rise to more opportunities for social interaction, whilst ensuring greater levels of natural surveillance and more sustainable communities.

12.9 The emphasis being placed on the continued presence of balanced and mixed communities is supported through PPG1 (General Policy and Principles), PPG3 (Housing) and PPG13 (Transport). It is considered that the key relationships in achieving an appropriate balance are:

- Proximity of housing to employment, shops, services and community facilities.

- People, space and time.

- Mixing housing types and sizes.

The following section also contains policies, which seek to identify appropriate locations for community facilities.

Partnerships

12.10 Throughout the Plan, reference is made to partnerships, including, amongst others, the Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership and the Town Centre Management Forums. Through the implementation of this Plan, the Council seeks to work together with other agencies and the wider public to encourage the development of proposals in which the community have played a valuable role and with which they can associate. Community participation will be a key element in preparing supplementary planning guidance and Neighbourhood and Parish Plans. The Council will seek to progress these area based strategies corporately through the provisions of the emerging Community Plan and the District Local Plan.

Community Statement “Through the implementation of policies in this Plan, the Council will seek to work in partnership with the many local organisations, other agencies and the wider local community to ensure that the interests and concerns of the key stakeholders are fully considered.”

 

 

Community Facilities

12.15 The term 'community facilities' refers to land-uses which mainly fall within Class D.1 (Non-residential Institutions) of the Use Classes Order together with other local needs services including local shops (Class A1) and other services (Class A2 and A3) appropriate to a given location.

Key Community Facilities

Education	Health	Social / Administrative	Other
Schools	Hospitals	Meeting Rooms	Recycling centres
Play Groups	Health Centres	Places of Worship	Public Toilets
Child Care	Surgeries	Amenity Space	Cemeteries
Libraries	Clinics	Sport, Leisure & Recreation
Museums		Day Centres
Further Education		Community Centres
		Village Hall
		Youth Centres
		Public Houses
		Community shops & cafes

 

12.16 A decline in the number and range of facilities has been particularly noticeable in the rural areas where public transport is poor. However, many community facilities do benefit from a strong community commitment and the existence of established groups to help run them. This is an enormous asset as it is often voluntary; indeed, involvement in running a facility itself fulfils a social function and widening this involvement can foster greater community cohesion.

Village Pub, Bliss Gate

12.17 The appropriate siting of facilities is fundamental to ensuring they are conveniently located for users and that they do not conflict with neighbouring uses. Facilities should be adequate to provide for their intended use and whenever possible flexible so as to maximise their adaptability (see Policy D.19).

12.18 Policy CY.2 provides a framework for considering applications involving community facilities, including community centres and health facilities such as new general practice surgeries, dental surgeries, ophthalmic opticians and chiropody clinics. Specific policies are proposed for Kidderminster Hospital, educational establishments and cemeteries, whilst recycling centres are considered as part of the Natural Resources section. Further guidance in relation to retail facilities and leisure is provided in the relevant sections of this Plan. Whilst HM Prison Service has identified Wyre Forest District as being within one of the broad priority areas of search for new prison facilities, the District Council and HM Prison Service have been unable to identify any suitable or available sites.

12.19 It is particularly important to ensure that this policy does not prejudice the emphasis placed on town centres for retail and commercial leisure facilities. Facilities which are appropriately located are generally welcomed where they satisfy a local need and do not conflict with other interests protected by other policies in the Local Plan. It is for the applicant to demonstrate the existence of a local need. As a guide the tests of Policy RT.10 provide an indication of the issues to be considered.

Community Facilities

Policy CY.2 New facilities (including replacements) and extensions and alterations to existing facilities which provide for a genuine local community need must: i) reflect the role and function of the settlement or neighbourhood to which they relate; ii) be consistent with the town centre hierarchy; iii) be compatible with surrounding uses; iv) be accessible and useable to all potential users and; v) be located as close as feasible to other mixed/ community uses. Proposals involving the loss of a community facility will not be allowed where there is a clear need for that facility.

 

Healthy Living

12.20 The policies in the Local Plan generally aim to sustainably enhance the quality of life of residents and visitors. Creating opportunities for improved health is a fundamental aspect of this. The Local Plan is not about the provision of healthcare facilities as this is a matter for Worcestershire Health Authority. However, as a land-use plan, the Local Plan can influence health in a number of ways. Firstly, the plan can ensure that sufficient land is allocated for healthcare facilities or that policies are in place to ensure that facilities can be developed where they are needed. Secondly, the location of land uses can impact on people's lifestyles and choices. For example, encouraging mixed uses and encouraging residential, employment, shopping and leisure uses that are more proximate to each other can encourage people to walk or cycle. Similarly, policies that encourage the increased provision of leisure and recreation facilities will encourage people to take up leisure pursuits.

12.21 Policy CY.2, above provides the policy framework for the provision of healthcare facilities such as surgeries and healthy living centres. The centre of healthcare provision in the District is Kidderminster General Hospital, which has, against the wishes of the Council, been subject to considerable down sizing. Nonetheless, the site does retain its role as the principal centre of fundamental importance to the health of residents and visitors, and this is reflected in the following policy.

Kidderminster General Hospital

12.22 Following the removal of accident and emergency and acute impatient services at Kidderminster hospital in September 2000, there has been widespread concern at the consequent requirement for patients and their relatives to travel to other hospitals within the county or outside the county.

12.23 It is considered that the Kidderminster hospital site at Bewdley Road should remain allocated for healthcare uses to prevent a further reduction in the accessibility of key health services and to safeguard its use as a hospital.

Construction of Diagnostic Treatment Centre,
Kidderminster Hospital

12.24 The opportunity should remain to upgrade the services provided at Kidderminster hospital to their former level and this should not be prejudiced by inappropriate development. In the meantime, the Council will consider, on their merits, proposals for healthcare developments to meet the needs of residents from within the district and beyond.

Kidderminster Hospital

Policy CY.3 The Kidderminster Hospital site will be safeguarded for future healthcare needs. Proposals, for other uses, will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that the future use of the site for healthcare needs will not be prejudiced.

 

Education Facilities

12.25 As with the issue of health, the Local Plan is not about the provision of education facilities, which is a matter for Worcestershire County Council, as the Local Education Authority. However, the need for further classrooms arising from new development - linked to the allocation of proposed new housing areas - is an important consideration for the Local Plan.

12.26 As part of this Local Plan the Council is not allocating any new education sites (other than Kidderminster College, Market Street, Kidderminster).However, where proposals for major residential development will place a demonstrable pressure for additional classroom facilities at existing schools, the Council will seek to secure an appropriate contribution from developers. This will require close consultation with Worcestershire County Council.

Kidderminster Library and College

12.27 For large or aggregates of smaller developments it may be necessary to undertake a feasibility study to determine if a school site is capable of taking extra classrooms and/or facilities necessary. However, where proposals for residential development are shown to place a demonstrable pressure for classrooms or educational sports facilities at existing schools, the Council will seek to secure an appropriate contribution from developers. This will require close consultation with Worcestershire County Council who have prepared supplementary planning guidance to cover this matter.

12.28 Development proposals that will give rise to a need for the provision of additional educational facilities will be expected to make an appropriate contribution towards meeting that need. Further details regarding local schools can be obtained from the County Council and the Worcestershire School Organisation Plan.

Education Facilities - Developer Contributions

Policy CY.4 Where it can be demonstrated by the Local Education Authority (LEA), that proposals for new housing will create the need for additional educational facilities, the Council through consultation with the LEA and developer, will seek to obtain a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for an appropriate contribution towards any works necessary.

 

Existing Education Sites

12.29 For proposals involving new buildings and facilities at existing County Council schools, the District Council is a consultee in the planning process. Where consultations are received, the District Council will consider the proposals in the light of relevant policies within the Local Plan and will comment accordingly.

12.30 The use of temporary buildings to provide classroom space is normal practice to accommodate periodic increases in school rolls. However, the District Council considers that they are inappropriate for longer-term use, having both functional and aesthetic shortcomings. Any such proposal for temporary classroom provision should normally be limited to five years by condition.

12.31 Reflecting PPG17, one particular concern of the District Council, is the sale of school playing fields. Such facilities are a community asset which, once lost to development are impossible to replace within older, intensively developed urban areas. The issue of playing fields is considered separately in Policy LR.9 (Outdoor Sports Pitches and Playing Fields).

Existing Education Sites

Policy CY.5 Within the areas allocated for education development, proposals will be supported, where they conform to other relevant policies in the Local Plan. Providing they: i) do not form part of a playing field or sports pitch, or ii) complement the education function of the site, or iii) demonstrate that there is no longer any need for the land or buildings to meet education requirements or wider community needs, and iv) do not significantly diminish the amount of recreational open space in the locality, and v) are compatible with neighbouring or adjoining uses.

 

Cemetery Site

12.32 The present principal Cemetery for the District, which is adjacent to Brinton Park in Kidderminster, is expected to reach capacity towards the end of the plan period. The Council has, therefore, been investigating potential locations for a new site in the District. These investigations have included an assessment of the planning issues, land availability and the investigation of site constraints. As a result of this process, land has been identified at Minster Road, Stourport-on-Severn. In accordance with PPG2 (Green Belts), the use of the site as a Cemetery is an appropriate use for this sensitive Green Belt location and will help to strengthen and protect the open nature of this area, which provides valuable physical separation between the towns of Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn. The site is also central to the District, has a picturesque setting with views across the Stour Valley, and is in a transport corridor of high public transport accessibility.

Cemeteries

Policy CY.6 Land at Minster Road, Stourport-on-Severn, as shown on the Proposals Map, is allocated for use as a Cemetery. Proposals for development, other than use as a Cemetery will not be permitted.