Policy information sourced from the Combined Policies of Epping Forest District Local Plan (1998) and Alterations (2006).
CF12 Retention of Community Facilities
Permission will only be granted for proposals which will entail the loss of a community facility where it is conclusively shown that:
- the use is either no longer needed or no longer viable in its current location; and
- the service, if it is still needed, is already, or is to be, provided elsewhere and accessible within the locality to existing and potential users.
Where planning permission is granted for proposals that will entail the loss of a community facility, the Council will consider favourably alternative uses which fulfil other community needs and which satisfy other policies of the plan. Where there is an identified need for another facility, the Council will have to be satisfied that the site is unsuitable for that use prior to considering the site for open market housing or other commercial proposals.
The Council may require the provision of a commuted sum, by means of a legal agreement, as a contribution towards the maintenance or upgrading of other local community facilities where these relate directly to the proposed development.
Where the proposal involves the relocation of a facility, the Council will need to be satisfied that the new location will allow the facility or service to be offered at the same or better level or standard.
For more information, please see the Combined Policies document