Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 1093

Received: 01/08/2025

Respondent: Sport England

I&O_1198
Please note that Sport England does not have the resource to assess each of these proposed growth areas. However, please be advised that Sport England will most likely object to any forthcoming planning application on these sites that involves the loss of playing field land, grass playing pitches or other outdoor and/or indoor sporting facilities unless adequate mitigation is provided for.

Comment

Representation ID: 1095

Received: 01/08/2025

Respondent: Sport England

I&O_1200
Sport England supports the approach retain the current approach in Local Plan (Part One) policy SOC 6 and update to incorporate the specific content of Local Plan (Part Two) policy DM 35, which deals with open space and new development, Local Plan (Part Two) policy DM 36 with regard to sport and recreation facilities, and Local Plan (Part Two) policy DM 37 which protects the range of recreational routeways in Cheshire West from any harmful impacts arising from new development.   Further to this Sport England supports the intention that developer contributions will be required for playing pitches based on the additional demand generated by new residential development having regard to Sport England’s planning tools and the latest Playing Pitch Strategy   Further to the above Sport Engaldn would like to encourage additional references to Active Design within sections 14, 21 and 27.  To help tackle the ‘Active environments’ issue, Sport England have produced the ‘Active Design’ guidance and accompanying checklist, in partnership with Public Health England. Like other councils who are currently writing their Local Plans, we would strongly encourage you to embrace the concept of Active Design as Sport England believes that being active should be an intrinsic part of everyone’s life pattern. Furthermore, Sport England believe that the incorporation of Active Design within the Local Plan will create high quality and resilient built environments that will also help promote a modal shift to sustainable travel measures, thus helping to address the Council’s climate change emergency declaration.   The master planning of major new housing and mixed use development schemes has a vital role in providing easy access to a choice of opportunities for sport and physical activity, making new communities more active and healthy. Active Design is aimed at urban designers, master planners and the architects of our new communities. It is an innovative set of design guidelines to promote opportunities for sport and physical activity in the design and layout of development. The guidance promotes sport and activity through three key Active Design principles of - improving accessibility, enhancing amenity and increasing awareness (see link below for more information)   https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/facilities-and-planning/design-and-cost-guidance/active-design