Policy information sourced from the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan

SADM 7 New Community Services and Facilities and Losses of Community Services and Facilities

The Council will support the provision of new community services and facilities in accordance with appropriate standards and in appropriate locations which are convenient to the communities they serve and accessible by a range of sustainable transport modes, including walking, cycling and public transport, and buildings that are inclusive, accessible, flexible and sited to maximise shared use of the facility.

Developments that result in additional need for community facilities will be required to contribute towards enhancing existing facilities, or provide/contribute towards new facilities. The Council will encourage the dual use of schools.

Planning permission will only be granted for proposals involving the loss or change of use of community services or facilities in the following circumstances:

  1. It can be clearly demonstrated that there is no longer a current demand for such a facility or for alternative recreational, leisure or community use, or any real prospect of such a demand arising within a realistic timescale; or
  2. It can be clearly demonstrated that an acceptable alternative means of meeting any such demand is or will become available before the loss of the existing facility; or
  3. The new development consists of, incorporates, or provides an appropriate alternative recreational or community service or facility, either on site or within the vicinity, of equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location accessible to the local community. Demand should be assessed according to the nature of the existing facility in question.

For more information please see the Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan