Policy information sourced from the Sutton Local Plan 2016-2031
22: Social and Community Infrastructure
a. The council will grant planning permission for the development of social and community infrastructure (as defined in the glossary) where it:
- is accessible by a range of transport modes, in particular by walking, cycling and public transport.
- provides flexible and adaptable space, where practicable.
- is close to or accessible to the community it is intended to serve and is of a suitable scale to meet that need.
- is designed and sited to enable the shared use of premises and playing fields for community purposes.
- would not have any adverse environmental effects.
- in the case of proposals for large developments generating significant numbers of trips, such as indoor sports facilities, are located within or on the edge of town centres or other areas of higher public transport accessibility.
b. The council will not grant planning permission for development that involves the loss of social and community infrastructure unless:
- it can be demonstrated that the facility is no longer required either in its current use or for any alternative social or community use.
- suitable alternative provision is made or is available nearby.
Where proposals come forward involving the loss of a social and community facility, sufficient evidence will need to be provided to satisfy the council that the requirements of this policy have been met. This would demonstrate that for a period of 12 months there had been no interest in using the premises/land for their current or other community purposes at a reasonable charge and that the need for such a facility is already satisfied within premises in easy walking distance or an alternative facility will be provided within a similar distance.
c. The council will seek to protect public houses that are considered to be of street scene and community value. The council would welcome applications from local voluntary or community groups seeking to register public houses that are set out in the Appendix to this policy as Assets of Community Value.
For more information please see the Local Plan 2016-2031