Policy information sourced from the Chelmsford Local Plan 2013-2036 PDF.
DM21: Protecting Community Facilities.
A) The change of use of premises or redevelopment of sites that provide valued community facilities or services will only be permitted where:
- the premises or site cannot be readily used for, or converted to, any other community facility; and
- the facility or service which will be lost will be adequately supplied or met by an existing or new facility in the locality or settlement concerned which shall be equivalent to or better than the facility that is being lost in terms of both quantity and quality.
In relation to the loss of a locally valued community facility that is commercial in nature, such as public houses and private healthcare, evidence will need to be submitted to demonstrate that the use is not economically viable and that it is no longer required to meet the needs of the local community.
B) The change of use of premises or redevelopment of existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields forming part of an education establishment, will only be permitted where:
- an assessment has been undertaken which clearly shows the facility is surplus to requirements; or
- the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or
- the development is for alternative provision, the needs of which clearly outweigh the loss.
For more information, please visit Chelmsford’s Local Plan here.