Policy information sourced from Camden Local Plan
C3 Cultural and Leisure Facilities
The Council will seek to protect cultural and leisure facilities and manage the impact of adjoining uses where this is likely to impact their continued operation.
Where there is a proposal involving the loss of a cultural or leisure facility, it must be demonstrated to the Council’s satisfaction there is no longer a demand. When assessing such planning applications, we will take the following into account:
- whether the premises are able to support alternative cultural and leisure uses which would make a positive contribution to the range of cultural and leisure facilities in the borough;
- the size, layout and design of the existing facility;
- proposals for re-provision elsewhere;
- the impact of the proposal on the range of cultural and leisure facilities; and
- the mix of uses in the area.
Exceptionally it may be practicable for a cultural or leisure facility to reprovided on-site through redevelopment, or elsewhere in the Borough. The Council will take the following into account when determining the suitability of proposals:
- the impacts of the re-provision on the existing occupier and users of the facility;
- changes in the mix of uses arising from the loss of the existing cultural/leisure facility;
- the loss of cultural heritage; and
- the affordability of the new facility
If a replacement facility is provided, it should be at the same or better standard than the facility which is lost and accessible to its existing users.
New cultural and leisure facilities
The Council will seek opportunities for new cultural and leisure facilities in major, mixed use developments and support the temporary use of vacant buildings for cultural and leisure activities. We will seek shared-use or extended access for the community in appropriate developments through developer agreements.
We will expect the siting of new facilities, including the expansion of existing provision, to take into account its associated impacts. Large-scale facilities should be located where as many people as possible can enjoy their benefits and make use of public transport to get there. Central London and town centres will, therefore, be the most appropriate locations.
Smaller facilities may, however, be appropriate anywhere in the Borough providing they do not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area or the local community.
For more information please see the Local Plan