Leisure & Tourism - Leisure Use Of Town Centres And Upper Floors

6.32

The District Council will encourage the provision of additional indoor leisure and tourism facilities in the District's town and village centres, where they can be accommodated without harm to the character of the settlements. These locations are considered to be sustainable in that they are more likely to utilise previously developed land, have established accessible transport links and access to a large local population. Proposals will be assessed using the sequential approach as covered by Policy SAT1.

6.33

Town centre locations are usually favoured, but it is important that proposals do not utilise prime shopping frontage. Redundant first floor storage areas in town centres are ideal locations for the establishment of recreational clubs, e.g. snooker halls, health clubs, crèche, judo, etc. subject to the following policy:

POLICY LT11 – LEISURE USES IN SHOPPING AREAS
The local planning authority will encourage leisure and tourism uses, above ground floor level, within the defined primary and secondary shopping areas identified on the proposals map.

POLICY LT12 – LEISURE DEVELOPMENT AFFECTING SHOPPING AREAS
Any leisure and tourism use that would utilise or affect prime shopping frontage as defined in policy SAT4 will be refused.

Golf Courses

6.34

Golf courses can open up the countryside for recreation; however, they can also have a substantial impact on the landscape as acknowledged in PPG17. Applications for new facilities should be located and designed to ensure harmony with the surrounding countryside and natural environment.

6.35

Essex County Council has identified a need for a public "pay and play" golf course in the region although no demand has been expressed locally. Proposals for new golf courses and associated facilities should comply with the guidance as set out in the Essex Golf Report.²

6.36

Proposals for golf course development and essential ancillary uses should make use of existing buildings on site. Whilst the local planning authority does not wish to encourage any new building within the Metropolitan Green Belt, it is accepted that some buildings will be required for the successful operation of the course.

6.37

Golf course facilities should be designed in such a way that existing public rights of way can be incorporated safely into the layout. Proposals for development must include details of existing native landscape features such as trees, hedgerows and ponds, and also proposed landscaping including details of how existing features will be incorporated into the scheme.

POLICY LT13 – GOLF COURSES & EXTENSIONS TO EXISTING FACILITIES
Applications for golf course and driving range facilities will be required to satisfy the following criteria:

i.	the proposal will not adversely affect Sites of Scientific Interest, Historic Landscapes or Ancient Woodlands as shown on the Proposals Map;
ii.	the proposal will not adversely affect natural features and habitats of nature conservation importance and will include measures which allow for local habitat creation;
iii.	the proposal will be in harmony with the landscape and will avoid prominent locations, the dominant features of the existing site will be retained and incorporated into the scheme;
iv.	where built development is proposed, preference will be for the use of existing buildings and will be restricted to those facilities that are essentially required to serve the use of land for golf. New buildings not essentially related, including for residential, social and holiday accommodation, will not be permitted;
v.	the layout of the course, the siting and size of its buildings, car parking and a landscape scheme should be submitted as part of the planning application and not left for later approval;
vi.	the proposal will satisfactorily incorporate existing public rights of way; and
vii.	that safe and convenient access can be made to the principal road network and that the traffic generated would not be detrimental to the rural roads and the small settlements that might be affected from the passing of vehicles.