Policy information sourced from City of London Local Plan
DM19.3 Sport and Recreation
- To resist the loss of public sport and recreational facilities for which there is a continuing demand, unless:
- replacement facilities are provided on-site or within the vicinity that meets the needs of the users of that facility; 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 demand for sport and recreation facilities which could be met on the site.
- Proposals involving the loss of sport and recreational facilities must be accompanied by evidence of a lack of need for those facilities. Loss of facilities will only be permitted where it has been demonstrated that the existing floorspace has been actively marketed at reasonable terms for sport and recreational use.
- The provision of new sport and recreation facilities will be encouraged:
- where they provide flexible space to accommodate a range of different uses/users and are accessible to all;
- in locations which are convenient to the communities they serve, including open spaces;
- near existing residential areas;
- as part of major developments subject to an assessment of the scale, character, location and impact of the proposal on existing facilities and neighbouring uses;
- where they will not cause undue disturbance to neighbouring occupiers.
- The use of vacant development sites for a temporary sport or recreational use will be encouraged where appropriate and where this does not preclude return to the original use or other suitable use on redevelopment.
For more information please see the Local Plan