North East Lincolnshire Council

CHAPTER 8 - LEISURE, TOURISM AND COMMUNITY POLICIES

OBJECTIVES

To protect and enhance amenity open space, private outdoor sports facilities and other major open spaces for the benefit of the environment and community health.

To ensure adequate provision of leisure, arts and community facilities which meet the requirements of the Plan Area.

To provide open spaces where practicable.

To encourage a range of tourism opportunities.

To encourage tourism proposals which enhance established tourist attractions.

To promote the natural environment as a tourist attraction whilst safeguarding the wildlife habitats and the species of flora and fauna they support.

POLICIES

Policy LTC1:

Amenity Open Space.

Policy LTC2:

Loss of Amenity Open Space.

Policy LTC3:

Proposed Amenity Open Space.

Policy LTC4:

Children's Equipped Play Areas.

Policy LTC5:

Assembly and Leisure, Outdoor Sport and Recreation Facilities.

Policy LTC6:

Football Stadium Relocation.

Policy LTC7:

Access to the Countryside.

Policy LTC8:

Equestrian Centres.

Policy LTC9:

Tourism Facilities.

Policy LTC10:

Expansion of the Cleethorpes Light Railway.

Policy LTC11:

Caravan and Camping Sites.

Policy LTC12:

Amusement Centres.

Policy LTC13:

Educational Areas.

Policy LTC14:

Community Use Areas.

INTRODUCTION

8.1

Leisure activities and community facilities are important aspects of everyday life. They are diverse in nature and have wide and varied land-use implications. In this respect it is important that residents and visitors alike can freely participate in formal and informal recreational activities including cultural events. The Council through the policies in this Chapter seeks to ensure that leisure, tourism, community and support structures are protected and enhanced either through development details or the Council's own work, thus benefiting the community as a whole.

8.2

The land-use implications of sport and recreation can be significant. There is a growing awareness of the importance of sports and recreational facilities of all kinds in urban areas and increasing use of the countryside for those purposes. Increased leisure time, a greater awareness of the benefits of sport and recreation, early retirement and increased unemployment will have a profound effect on the demand for sporting and recreational facilities during the Plan period. Participation in sport and recreation can help improve the individual's health and sense of well being; promotion of sporting excellence can help further civic and national pride and has a valuable social and economic role. The Council is mindful that sporting opportunities should, whenever possible, be made available for everyone including the elderly and those with disabilities for whom access to facilities is especially important.

Policy LTC1: Amenity Open Space.

Within Amenity Open Space areas including Proposed Open Amenity Space areas as shown on the Proposals Map, a development proposal will only be permitted if:

(i)

it is compatible with any existing or potential recreational and leisure facilities or other existing authorised uses within the Amenity Open Space;

(ii)

it will not have an unduly adverse effect on the nature, character, visual appearance, amenity value, agricultural potential and nature conservation value of the Amenity Open Space.

8.3

Amenity Open Space

Within amenity open space as shown on the Proposals Map, informal open space and outdoor playing space can be distinguished. Amenity Open Space can either be in private or public ownership and its allocation does not imply that there is public access to the land. Areas of Amenity Open Space in private ownership have been allocated by virtue of their sporting/recreational function and/or the important role they play in terms of enhancing visual and residential amenities. Such areas may include open spaces in villages which form an integral part of the settlement's intrinsic character.

8.4

It is important that areas of amenity space are accessible to all sections of the community, particularly those without access to cars. The Council as the main provider of amenity space will seek to improve the accessibility of such areas to people with mobility handicaps such as the elderly, infirm, blind or partially sighted people, wheelchair users and other forms of physical impedance such as parents with young children.

Policy LTC2: Loss of Amenity Open Space.

A development proposal involving the loss or partial loss of recreational and leisure facilities will only be permitted if the proposal is of proven public interest that outweighs the recreation, leisure, nature conservation and amenity interest of the Amenity Open Space, or if the sport and recreational facilities can best be retained and enhanced through redevelopment of part of the site.

Where such a proposal is considered acceptable, the Council will seek to secure, by negotiation, suitable replacement of lost recreational and leisure related uses elsewhere within the Plan Area where the need is greatest.

8.5

Informal Open Space

Informal open space is used for a variety of leisure pursuits, such as walking, dog-exercising, picnicking, enjoying the natural environment and as casual play space for use by children. It does not include land used for outdoor playing space purposes such as playing pitches, greens, courts, athletics tracks, putting greens, training areas and children's equipped play areas.

8.6

Within North East Lincolnshire, the majority of informal space is concentrated in areas like Weelsby Woods, The Freshney Parkway, Cleethorpes Country Park, Coombe Briggs Meadow, Homestead Park, Immingham and Bradley and Dixon Woods.

8.7

The recreational and amenity value of this space to the population of the Plan Area in particular as casual playspace for use by children is recognised and this Plan will seek to protect such areas from inappropriate forms of development and encourage the provisions of additional open spaces where possible. The Council also recognises the visual importance of informal amenity areas in addition to their obvious recreational role, particularly in the main urban areas and settlements.

8.8

Such open spaces are vitally important components of the Plan Area and play a crucial environmental role by enhancing visual and residential amenities and by acting as wildlife corridors or areas.

8.9

Outdoor Playing Space

Outdoor playing space is comprised of playing pitches, greens, courts, athletics tracks, putting greens and training areas in both public and private sector and children's equipped play areas. It does not include informal open spaces highlighted in paragraph 8.5 or golf courses.

8.10

The only recognised National Standard for outdoor playing spaces the National Playing Fields Association (NFPA) '6' acre standard which was established in 1989. A survey of the Plan area entitled 'Facility Provision in North East Lincolnshire' was carried out during early 1997 by the Council's Leisure Services Department and a Post Graduate Researcher at Sheffield Hallam University. This identified 293.9 hectares of Outdoor Playing Space which suggests a surplus of 2.9 hectares occurs. This standard covers broad areas and does not take into account local deficiencies or surpluses of certain types of open space. However it is still considered to be the starting point for the Local Authority in determining open space standards.

8.11

North East Lincolnshire is reasonably well catered for when the broad NPFA standard is considered. The table below shows the detailed breakdown

Type of Space	NPFA Standard	NEL Provision
Outdoor Space	4-4.5 acre/1000 pop	4.5 acre/1000 pop
Children's Play Space	1.5-2 acre/1000 pop	1.8 acre/1000 pop
Total	6 acre/1000 pop	6.3 acre/1000 pop

8.12

This is seen as a starting point for a more detailed local assessment of open space requirements. It is important that such assessments are truly local and that deficiencies if they are identified, are highlighted. The '6' acre standard, although adequate for estimating outdoor playing space requirements does not take into account the accessibility of open spaces to the people they are intended to serve. There is little point in promoting or developing new open spaces if they cannot be easily accessed by means of a variety of transportation modes other than the private car. In addition busy roads form barriers which prevent or hinder young children or families free access to the open space which they require.

8.13

To overcome the deficiencies of focusing solely at an Authority wide level a local assessment of public accessible open spaces, both formal and informal, has been undertaken by the Council. This assessment has focused on a hierarchy standards approach which takes into account the distribution and accessibility of existing open spaces:-

Type and Function		Size	Distance from Home
1.	Linear Open Space (Informal). Pedestrian appreciation. Often enjoyable views without direct public access.	Variable	Wherever Possible
2.	Local Amenity Open Space (Informal). 'Kickabout' area.	0.2ha	Within 200m
3.	Small Open Spaces (Informal). Pedestrian visits, especially young mothers and children to play and enjoy natural areas.	0.2ha	Within 400m
4.	Local Recreational Areas/Parks (Formal). Pedestrian visits. Providing court games and playing fields where size permits. Local Nature Reserve.	0.2ha	Within 400m
5.	District Parks (Formal and Informal). Wide range of recreation activities. Weekend visits on foot.	10ha	Within 1000m
6.	Major Parks or Ecosite (Formal and Informal). Natural open space or formal park.	40ha	Within 3000m

8.14

In general, North East Lincolnshire's open spaces are compliant with the standard's size and distance to travel criteria. However, local deficiencies have been discovered in relation to Local Amenity Open Space, Small Open Spaces and Local Recreational Areas/Parks which should be located within a distance of 200-400 metres.

8.15

In particular, older terrace areas of the Grimsby/Cleethorpes conurbation are deficient in informal open spaces at a neighbourhood level. These areas, typified by high density terraced housing are lacking the open space opportunities less densely developed areas on the periphery of the urban area offer. Often within these areas 'Brownfield sites' come forward for redevelopment purposes. Such developments will be expected to take into account local deficiencies in open space, based upon the adopted standards.

8.16

Settlements outside the urban areas have also been found to be deficient in terms of open space provision. However, the extent of open space provision has to be considered with regard to the settlement's population and its proximity to other settlements or major urban areas.

8.17

New residential developments increase pressure on existing open spaces which are often inaccessible to them. To counter this, it is important that the Plan Area's outdoor playing space provision is retained and enhanced wherever opportunities arise. Developers of major housing schemes or other substantial developments in areas of recognised deficiency will, therefore, be expected to provide, or contribute towards, amenity open space including where appropriate informal and outdoor playing space. The Council will monitor the provision of such open space in association with development proposals.

8.18

Playing Pitch Provision

In terms of football pitch provision North East Lincolnshire has 76 adult pitches available through both the public and private sectors for leisure use. Although there is no nationally accepted standard for playing pitch provision, the Sports Council through its 'Playing Pitch Strategy' suggests a standard of 1 pitch per 1840 people which relates to a requirement of 87 pitches - a shortfall of 11. In addition the publication 'Standards of Open Playing Space' (Wilson - Chalon A. October 1997) suggested a standard of 1 pitch per 2000 people, which results in a total requirement of 80 pitches a shortfall of 4.

8.19

These standards are seen as crude tools and give guidance to a 'national' level of pitch provision. At the local level, a much more focused neighbourhood assessment needs to be undertaken. Through consultation with the Council's Leisure Services Department information has been gathered on the distribution, latent demand and quality of existing pitches within the Plan area and from this it is evident that existing playing pitches can effectively cope with the current demands placed on them by the Adult/Junior Leagues. However, problems in supply/demand occur principally during the winter months when pitches are unplayable due to water logging and icy conditions. This leads to backlogging of fixtures and an increased pressure to overuse existing pitches often at the expense of pitch quality. Continued improved preventative maintenance is therefore required to minimise cancellations and backlogging.

8.20

It has been estimated that up to 10 additional pitches are required to allow some of the more extensively used pitches (at Sidney Park, Hardy's Recreation Ground, Sussex Recreation ground, Homestead Park and Duke of York Gardens) to be returned to passive recreational pursuits or rested. This would allow pitches to be rested on a rotating basis so that essential maintenance such as relaying can be carried out. There is also scope for 4 additional pitches to be provided at Bradley Pitches, but such work would require additional changing facilities and improved car parking arrangements.

8.21

Localised deficiencies of pitch provision occurs within the main Grimsby/Cleethorpes urban area resulting in players having inadequate access to local teams/facilities. Such areas include the Willows, Wybers Wood, Scartho, Littlecoates, East Marsh, Cleethorpes Central and Hainton. In general there are no publicly accessible pitches to the north west of the main urban conurbation. The Council will therefore seek to re-address this imbalance by securing by negotiation suitable sporting facilities in areas of recognised deficiency. In certain instances it may be advantageous for an existing playing field to be upgraded in terms of pitch quality and associated facilities enabling an intensification of use. This would, however, require an assessment in relation to the accessibility of the playing field to the development site.

8.22

There are approximately 90 Junior pitches under the control of the Education authority or private sector. These pitches are in general relatively poor in quality and are extensively used by both the Junior Football League and by the schools, with little scope of use by the Adult League due to size restrictions and pitch maintenance implications.

8.23

North East Lincolnshire is well catered for with regard to non-football related pitch sports. Once again pitch quality is a major factor in maximising the use of existing facilities. One recognised deficiency identified by national standards relates to the provision of Rugby Union and League pitches. However, there appears to be no latent demand for additional Rugby facilities within North East Lincolnshire.

8.24

Rural Communities

Rural communities are often isolated and do not have direct access to leisure facilities located within the urban areas. Frequently, they rely on school facilities to provide land for ball games or pitches. There has been a need identified in the larger communities for Community Halls including adequate storage facilities which could be utilised for a variety of sporting and recreational activities such as badminton, target bowls and 3-a-side soccer. In terms of outside playing space 'multi use games areas' with associated floodlighting which can be used for Netball, Basketball, and 5-a-side soccer have been identified as cost-effective means of providing a wide range of facilities. In addition outside grass sport areas which are designed to accommodate 1/2 soccer pitches and changing facilities as well as artificial cricket squares and bowling greens, offer a wide range of formal sporting opportunities.

8.25

All of the above have been identified as being deficient to some extent in the rural communities. This is recognised by the Plan, and the Council will seek to re-address this by seeking developer's contributions or through separate grant aided funding.

8.26

Allotments

Allotments make a valuable contribution to meeting the community and leisure needs of the Plan Area and because of their green nature can help to reduce the impact of the surrounding built up area. Additionally, they make a worthwhile contribution to local food production and help to protect against over development.

8.27

The urban area of Grimsby has eight statutory allotment sites providing 1839 plots owned and controlled by the Council. There is a further total of 9.47 hectares of allotments located within the urban area of Cleethorpes and the defined settlements of Humberston, Immingham, Laceby, New Waltham, Stallingborough and Waltham.

8.28

The Borough in general terms has an adequate provision of allotments based on the levels of provision established in the Allotments Act 1950. However, there are localised deficiencies at Humberston and Healing.

8.29

As part of the Millennium Park Scheme on the former Macaulay Lane Tip Site, part of the allotment site adjacent to the former tip is likely to be lost with the remaining allotments consolidated on the northern part of the site.

Policy LTC3: Proposed Amenity Open Space.

The following areas of land are allocated as proposed amenity open space:

Land south of Weelsby Hall, Peaks Lane.

Land at Cromwell Avenue.

Land at Alexandra Dock.

Land at Roval Drive, Immingham, (included in Housing Site H1/38).

Land at Enfield Avenue, New Waltham

Land R/O 31 Enfield Avenue, New Waltham.

Land south of Trafalgar Park, New Waltham.

Land north west of Greenlands, New Waltham. (Extent to be determined following flood risk assessment).

Former Ross Sports Ground, Weelsby Road.

10)

Land at South View, Humberston.

Development proposals involving other uses for the above sites will be assessed against Policy LTC1.

The Council will seek to improve the quality and quantity of amenity open space and facilities thereon in response to changes to standards and current usage patterns. New developments that will cause increased usage of available and planned open space will be assessed and new provisions sought where appropriate.

8.30

It is important that Amenity Open Space is readily accessible to all members of the public. Within areas of recognised deficiencies of open space or areas subject to major residential development the Council will explore the possibility of securing additional amenity open space with public access, serving the immediate needs of local inhabitants. Such areas have been identified on the Proposals Map as proposed Amenity Open Space.

8.31

Further sites may be required during the Plan period as a result of quantitative and qualitative deficiencies being identified through the Local Plan monitoring process and the Council's Sports and Leisure Strategies. The Council will secure Proposed Amenity Open Space areas by entering into planning agreements to provide or improve recreation and sports facility provision or in some cases it may be appropriate for the Council to purchase the land concerned. Only in exceptional circumstances will the council use its compulsory purchase powers. The Council will also under Policy NH4: Natural Heritage - Site Management and Interpretation seek to ensure that the ecological requirements of the sites significant habitats are maintained.

8.32

The Scartho Top Housing Site has provision for 42 acres of amenity open space (See Housing Chapter) which will be laid out as development proceeds.

8.33

A strip of land off Cromwell Road is reserved as Amenity Open Space to provide a future pedestrian access link to the Millennium Park Site at Macaulay Lane which is being promoted as a mixed-development site including open space/parkland.

8.34

A site has been allocated at Peaks Lane, Grimsby as a Proposed Employment Site and as part of the development of this site, an opportunity exists for the developer to lay out amenity open space on adjoining land to complement the surrounding countryside and assist in meeting the Plan Area's need for more Amenity Open Space. The release of such land will be secured, if necessary, through planning obligations between the developer of the Proposed Employment Site and the Council.

8.35

The Council is seeking to improve the existing Roval Drive recreation area in Immingham with access required across the western end of Coombe Briggs Meadow, to the proposed housing site to the north.

8.36

There has been considerable recent growth in housing in New Waltham, emphasising the need for more community facilities, particularly public open space. In particular there is a shortfall of both formal and informal open space to the south of Station Road which acts as a barrier to the facilities at Greenlands some distance to the north. The two areas of proposed amenity open space situated off Enfield Avenue, to the north and south of the existing school playing field, provide opportunities to address the current shortfall.

8.37

It is envisaged that provision of these two areas of proposed amenity open space, including adequate provisions for future maintenance, will be delivered via Section 106 agreements with the landowners/prospective developers of individual housing sites H1/47 and H1/48. Development of housing site H1/48 will be required to provide adequate vehicular access to the proposed amenity open space from Enfield Avenue to ensure vehicular public right of access to the site is achieved.

8.38

The land to the south east of Trafalgar Park, New Waltham (housing site H1/46) has been identified as a proposed amenity open space. This land provides the opportunity to provide a significant area of informal open space as part of a comprehensive development to the east of the settlement. It is envisaged that the open space provision, including adequate provisions for future maintenance, will be delivered via a Section 106 agreement with the landowners/prospective developers of housing site H1/46. Adequate provision should also be included of a children's equipped play area as an integral part of the overall development, in accordance with Policy LTC4. The opportunity could be taken in the area immediately to the east of the proposed amenity open space to supplement the area of woodland planting further to the east.

8.39

The proposed open space should be accessible. Development of the adjacent housing site should incorporate appropriate pedestrian and cycle links; including to existing development, which promotes the area's accessibility.

8.40

The land to the south of the identified proposed amenity open space, land known as Humberston Grange, is recognised as being of local landscape and wildlife interest. The Council will seek to maintain this area's local landscape character.

8.41

In the event of the release of the Reserve Housing Site under the terms of Policy H2; amenity open space will be provided south of Buck Beck. This will be delivered via a Section 106 agreement with the landowners/prospective developers and shall include adequate provisions for future maintenance. The extent of this area of amenity open space will follow the boundary of the actual fluvial floodplain to be determined and defined on the ground in accordance with a flood risk assessment. It is envisaged that the amenity open space will form an extension to the existing Buck Beck greenway.

8.42

The former Ross Sports Ground, located off Weelsby Road has been allocated for a mixture of housing and formal open space activities, including a football pitch and changing facilities. This follows the agreement reached by the site owner and Officers of the former Grimsby Council at the Great Grimsby Local Plan Inquiry for the site to be developed for the above uses.

8.43

Land at South View, Humberston has been identified for public open space purposes and is under Council ownership. This land was allocated as an Ecology Park within the Cleethorpes Local Plan Consultation Draft but it is now considered that a wider informal recreational role would benefit Humberston as a whole.

Policy LTC4: Children's Equipped Play Areas.

Where major development proposals (50 or more new dwellings) cause a deficiency in equipped playgrounds for children the Council will seek, by negotiation, the provision of such facilities to address the deficiency either on the proposed development or, if appropriate on a site in the immediate vicinity.

Where a developer reaches agreement with the Council regarding the adoption for an Equipped Playground for Children provided in accordance with this policy the Council will, by negotiation, seek to secure a commuted sum equivalent to the full maintenance costs for a minimum 10 year period from the date of adoption.

Development proposals adversely affecting Equipped Playgrounds for Children will not be permitted unless suitable alternative provision is secured elsewhere in the locality.

8.44

Children's Equipped Play Areas include traditional swings and roundabouts and facilities offering specific opportunities for outdoor play. The NPFA 'Six Acre Standard' includes a figure of between 0.2 and 0.3 hectares of equipped play area per 1000 head of population. Application of this minimum standard would suggest that between 32 and 48 hectares of equipped play space is required for the town.

8.45

However, it is felt that the proximity of equipped play areas to the children who would use them is a more important criteria than physical area. Therefore, a more realistic assessment can be achieved by looking at local needs as opposed to levels of Plan-wide provision. The NPFA suggests that children should have access to an equipped play area within 400 metres from home. For the purpose of this plan an area of deficiency will, therefore, be taken to be one being over 400 metres from an existing Children's Equipped Play Area.

8.46

The design and location of new Children's Equipped Play Areas will be expected to take into account aspects such as safety from adjoining highways, security and crime prevention. The Local Plan will seek to secure the provision of additional equipped play areas in areas of deficiency by the use of appropriate planning conditions and/or planning obligations. Three new equipped play areas will be provided by developers on the Scartho Top Proposed Housing Site.

Policy LTC5: Assembly and Leisure, Outdoor Sport and Recreation Facilities.

Development proposals for assembly and leisure, outdoor sport and recreation facilities will be permitted provided there are no significant adverse effects on:

(i)

residential amenity;

(ii)

access, parking, traffic generation and road safety;

(iii)

the nature and character of the area;

(iv)

nature conservation interests;

and would not result in the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land.

The Council will seek to direct such proposals to locations capable of being served by a variety of means of transport.

Assembly and leisure uses intended to attract users from a Borough-wide catchment area or beyond will be permitted to locate outside Grimsby town centre provided that it can be demonstrated that all potential Grimsby town centre or edge of Grimsby town centre options have been thoroughly assessed or there are overriding considerations which outweigh such a locational requirement. Uses which are intended to serve resort tourists will be permitted to locate within the defined resort area.

The use of derelict, disused or reclaimed land or buildings will be encouraged.

8.47

Assembly and Leisure

Assembly and leisure, sports and recreation facilities can vary greatly in size and purpose. They can be facilities for the local community to enjoy or multi-million pound investments such as cinemas that serve a large catchment area. Policy LTC5 sets out terms by which all these needs can be catered for.

8.48

In addition to normal material considerations, such as; the impact upon residential amenity, traffic generation and the impact of development upon the character and appearance of an area, the Policy defines terms regarding appropriate site selection. Planning Policy Guidance note PPG6 advises that major assembly and leisure developments should be located in highly accessible locations and town centre locations are seen to be particularly suitable. Policy LTC5 therefore requires that developers of assembly and leisure proposals, intended to serve a borough-wide or greater catchment area, will need to demonstrate that there are no suitable sites within, or on the edge of Grimsby town centre. Exceptions to this requirement may arise where specific locational characteristics are involved (such as a scuba-diving centre) or the benefits of the development outweigh the locational considerations. Such an exception may be where derelict or contaminated land is being reclaimed. The policy also recognises that the resort area of Cleethorpes needs to continue to develop attractions for visitors and tourists.

8.49

Indoor Recreational Facilities

Indoor recreational facilities are an important aspect with regard to satisfying the leisure needs of the local community. North East Lincolnshire is currently served by several indoor facilities which cover a wide range of leisure facilities.

8.50

The Grimsby/Cleethorpes and Immingham urban areas offer a high level of provision and accessibility to sports halls as reflected in Humberside County Council's 'Five Year Strategy for Sport and Recreation in Humberside' where it is noted that 65-75% of total demand is located within 5 miles of an existing centre. Any immediate requirement for new provision in those areas are small scale and localised.

8.51

The Council's existing Leisure Centres are located at Cromwell Road, Grimsby, Immingham and at the Kingsway, Cleethorpes. These centres offer a wide range of traditional indoor recreational facilities serving the needs of the plan Area. An additional facility is the Grimsby Auditorium located adjacent to Grimsby Leisure Centre, Cromwell Road, a multipurpose performance venue accommodating up to 1600 people offering an extremely high quality lighting and acoustic arena together with a flexible seating arrangement.

8.52

Other facilities include Immingham and Scartho Road Swimming Pools and a variety of other private indoor sports clubs. These services are currently well utilised but it is foreseen that due to ever changing leisure trends, that a number of new facilities or the revamping of existing centres may be required. Such facilities should be accessible to the population they serve and make the best use of recreational land available. The use of derelict disused or reclaimed land or buildings will be particularly encouraged.

8.53

Outdoor Recreational Facilities

North East Lincolnshire has a number of outdoor recreational facilities including the King George V Stadium, Grant Thorold Park, Peoples Park, Weelsby Woods, Bradley Woods, Dixon Woods, Duke of York Gardens, Cleethorpes Country Park, Sydney Park, Homestead Park, Pilgrim Park, Coombe Briggs Meadow, as well as other areas of amenity open space. There is a recognised demand for all weather pitches which enable active sport participation throughout the year regardless of weather and light conditions. The Council recognises the strategic importance of such facilities and will promote the active use of them.

8.54

The Borough also provides a number of venues for the staging of professional and semi-professional sporting events. The King George V Stadium hosts athletic events; the Cleethorpes Cricket Club ground on Chichester Road is occasionally used for one day county cricket and Blundell Park is the home of Grimsby Town Association Football Club. In recent years Grimsby Town have been investigating the possibility of re-locating their stadium.

8.55

The development of a full size synthetic grass pitch on Clee Fields has partly met the immediate demand for such a facility in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes urban area. The effective use of this facility as substitute for scarce grass playing pitches depends on the Football/Hockey Associations taking advantage of its multi-use and intensive use capabilities. There is however, demand for an additional full sized multi-use games area (MUGA) within Cleethorpes to accommodate adult mid week competitive leagues.

8.56

At present, the Plan Area is served by 6, 18 hole golf courses and 2 nine hole courses, these being:- Immingham Golf Club; Cleethorpes Golf Club; Grimsby Golf Club; Manor Golf Course; Humberston Golf Club; Waltham Windmill Golf Club; Humberston Country Club; Bourne Leisure Golf Course and Willow Park Golf Club, Grimsby. All are privately run and offer varying degrees of non-membership accessibility. The Plan Area has recently witnessed a massive investment in golf courses with 4 of the courses being developed within the last 3-4 years.

8.57

Golf courses can open up the countryside for recreation, but they can also have a significant impact. PPG17 'Sport and Recreation' advises that golf courses should be located and designed to ensure harmony with the surrounding countryside and to conserve the natural environment.

8.58

The Council acknowledges that the popularity of golf as a recreational pastime is increasing but is wary that such uses can take up to 200 acres of agricultural land and can have a substantial impact on the character of the countryside.

8.59

Golf courses principally serve urban areas and therefore should be sited as close to them as possible thus reducing the need to travel by car and avoiding widescale recreational uses into the open countryside.

8.60

Many golf course proposals are accompanied by developments such as hotels, holiday accommodation, additional built sports facilities or leisure complexes and conference centres. The Council will resist proposals which have unnecessary amounts of associated built development and which conflict with other policies in the Local Plan which seek to protect and improve the environment.

8.61

Additionally, golf course proposals within highly sensitive environs such as the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB or the Humber Flats and Marshes Pyewipe and Cleethorpes SSSI, Ramsar Site and SPA or within or adjacent to nature reserves or other important sites of wildlife habitat or nature interest, will rarely be acceptable as the 'manicured' appearance of a golf course would be contrary to the basic principles of protecting and enhancing the sensitive environment.

8.62

Noisy Sports

Certain types of sporting or leisure activities can have particular planning implications by means of noise generation. Such activities include:- motorcross, speedway, microlites, powerboats, pistol/rifle shooting on outdoor ranges and clay pigeon shooting and outdoor sport facilities and event areas due to the increased use of PA systems and spectator noise.

8.63

It is important that local conditions and circumstances are taken into account when determining proposals which are essentially for a 'noisy sport'. Local amenities, both of residents and of the area generally will be of paramount importance.

8.64

Unless it can be proven that a proposal site located within or adjacent to the built environment will not harm the environment or general amenities of the area it is felt that such activities would be more suitably located away from the urban areas. However, proposals within the Wolds AONB or the Humber Flats and Marshes, Pyewipe and Cleethorpes Coast SSSI, Ramsar Site and SPA, or within or adjacent to nature reserves or other important sites of wildlife habitat or nature interest, will be strongly resisted unless it can be shown that other material considerations outweigh the special interest of the site.

8.65

Newer leisure activities, such as war games (paint ball) can cause disturbance and danger as well as noise problems. PPG17 'Sport and Recreation' advises that ancient woodlands should be protected from such activities that would have an adverse impact.

Policy LTC6: Relocation of Football Stadium.

Within the site marked LTC6 on the Proposals Maps, development proposals for a 20,100 seat football stadium with an enabling development comprising:-

(i)

non food retail park of 13,395 sq m gross internal floor space;

(ii)

garden centre of 1,858 sq m gross internal floor space;

(iii)

petrol filling station with ancillary retail;

(iv)

hotel;

(v)

pub restaurant and two additional restaurants;

will be permitted subject to the developer entering legal agreements or meeting conditions to secure;-

(a)

provision of a satisfactory landscaping and planting scheme;

(b)

retention of undeveloped areas on adjoining land as amenity open space;

(c)

control of onsite car parking;

(d)

control of car parking in specified off-site locations including the Willows estate;

(e)

implementation of a green transport plan including a free bus service to and from the Willows and Wybers Wood estates;

(f)

provision of bus access to the site;

(g)

provisions of off-site stewarding and measures to protect the amenity of neighbouring land uses;

(h)

provision of an area for a park and ride facility;

(i)

establishment of a learning and skills centre.

8.66

Grimsby Town Association Football Club has been investigating the feasibility of relocating to a new stadium for over the last six years. Both Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes Borough Councils were involved in discussions and site selection procedures prior to reorganisation of the Councils in 1996.

8.67

The current ground at Blundell Park has served the football club for over a hundred years and has been modernised in an incremental way. However, some of the stands date from the original development of the ground. With the requirement for football stadia to be all seating the capacity for spectators is limited to just over 8,000 at Blundell Park. This is a considerable limitation for a league football club where money through the turnstiles is a primary source of income. Furthermore, the quality of facilities available to spectators is also below standard on account of the ageing infrastructure.

8.68

Blundell Park is confined to its current site area by surrounding residential areas. This confinement presents a number of basic problems. Firstly, any reconstruction of the ground would have to take place within a space defined some one hundred years ago as the prospects of outward expansion are unfeasible. Secondly, a significant expansion of the capacity of the stadium (i.e. doubling the current capacity) will impact upon the surrounding houses both in physical and amenity terms. In physical terms it is likely that the stands would overshadow existing properties. In amenity terms the increase capacity would mean much larger crowds, increased noise, inconvenience and an acute lack of parking which is at present a severe problem as only on road parking is available. It is also recognised that the location of the existing ground limits any opportunities the Football Club may have for promoting other business ventures; corporate hospitality, conferencing facilities and other commercial uses for the stadium. Such business ventures are also an important part of financing the operation of a football club.

8.69

The relocation site is proposed through Policy LTC6 following an examination of alternative locations provided by the agents of the football club and an independent assessment of sites provided by a consultant commissioned by the Council. The Council are satisfied that none of these alternative locations have the same advantages as the proposed site. The necessary attributes the site possesses are: availability, well defined and confining boundaries that meet the requirements of Policy GEN1, accessibility by a variety of means of transport, capacity for separation buffers to be established, minimal conflict with existing and proposed land uses and other material considerations specified by policies of this local plan.

8.70

It is recognised that the proposed site is a greenfield site but the Council is satisfied that, given the particular needs of a sports stadium and the lack of a brownfield site or site closer to the town centre, the relocation demands exceptional consideration. These exceptional circumstances also extend to the need for enabling development as specified in the policy. The Council is satisfied that the Football Club needs to relocate and that its independent financial resources are insufficient to support such a move. Whilst the type of enabling development, in particular retailing uses, would not normally be permitted to locate on an out of town site the Council accept that the enabling development is necessary and cannot be sited at another location and still deliver the benefits to the Football Club. PPG17 (Sport and Recreation')advises that the relocation of football league clubs need sympathetic consideration and it is in the spirit of this advice that the Council are considering Grimsby Town Football Club's needs.

8.71

The terms of Policy LTC6 are very specific both in respect of the type of development and the criteria which will need to be met. The policy is expressed in this prescriptive way because of the exceptional circumstances and to give the measure of control over the proposal that the Council feel is needed. The criteria are specified to protect the amenity of nearby land uses, enhance the development, minimise impacts upon traffic routes and increases in journeys by the private car. Particular provisions will need to be made for the stewarding of spectators. Community benefits are also specified by the policy including the provision of a park and ride facility to facilitate journeys to the resort area in particular, and the establishment of a learning and skills centre at the stadium to enhance educational programmes in the area.

Policy LTC7: Access to the Countryside.

The Council will encourage public access to the open countryside by means of promoting, protecting and where applicable creating routeways, including footpaths, bridleways and greenlanes.

Development proposals which would lead to the extinguishment of public rights of way and/or rerouting will only be permitted where there is likely to be no significant detriment to users and where an acceptable alternative route is readily available.

8.72

Many people get pleasure from using the countryside and urban footpaths, bridleways and greenlanes. It is important that public access to the countryside is maintained whilst ensuring that the character of the countryside and interests of the farmers are unharmed. This can be best achieved by means of the extensive rights of way network already existing in the Plan Area and by the Council actively promoting, directing, protecting and creating, where appropriate, existing and new routeways. It is also important that routeways, where practical, are accessible to people with mobility handicaps.

8.73

Recreational links from the urban areas/defined settlements to the open countryside are of particular importance as they act as recreational gateways facilitating public access to the wider countryside areas beyond. Such routes, however, by their proximity to higher areas of population density are relatively highly trafficked and can suffer from problems such as overuse and vandalism. The Council recognises the recreational importance of these urban fringe footpaths and will ensure that such routeways are promoted and kept open to the public thus minimising trespass on adjacent farmland.

8.74

Due to the importance of the rights of way network as a recreational resource its quality and quantity should not be reduced. Footpaths incapable of use or in a poor state of repair will be reported to the Council's Public Rights of Way Officer for action.

8.75

Occasionally, development proposals are submitted which would result in the extinguishment or significant detriment to users of the footpath. The Council will only grant planning permission in such instances where an acceptable alternative route is available or can be provided subject to normal planning criteria being satisfied.

Policy LTC8: Equestrian Centres.

Development of equestrian centres will be permitted where:-

(i)

a minimum of 0.6 hectares of grazing land per horse or pony is available;

(ii)

it does not materially harm the amenities of the area by reason of noise, smell, traffic generation or visual intrusion;

(iii)

the proposal incorporates an integrated landscaping scheme with paddock boundary treatment in materials appropriate to the location;

(iv)

accessible and adequate off road trails are available in the form of bridleways or private agreements;

(v)

it uses existing buildings or, where new buildings are proposed, they are sited next to existing buildings or otherwise form an integrated part of the development.

8.76

Development Involving Horses - Equestrian Centres
It is anticipated that as interest increases in countryside matters, so will the demand for equestrian activity centres. High standards of design, construction and maintenance of buildings and care of land is necessary to ensure that such activities do not have an adverse effect on the countryside and that the horses are well cared for.

8.77

Annex F of PPG7 'The Countryside - Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development', advises that development involving horses should take particular care to minimise the effect their proposals will have on the appearance of the countryside and that buildings should be sited and designed to blend with their surroundings.

8.78

In this context the Council, will expect equestrian proposals to be designed to fit with the surroundings by means of materials and colours used and to re-use existing buildings if at all possible. Likewise paddocks and training areas should also be integrated, through appropriate planting, into the overall landscape.

8.79

In relation to security and animal husbandry it is often desirable to have stablehands living on or adjacent to equestrian sites. However, the uncontrolled development of residential uses in the open countryside is contrary to other Plan policies. Equestrian proposals involving new residential uses in the open countryside will, therefore, only be considered acceptable where a submitted business plan clearly demonstrates that the proposal is economically viable and that it is essential to the daily running of the business that it includes a residential use. In order that the long term viability of the business can be adequately assessed, residential uses will be restricted by the imposition of temporary planning permissions over a fixed period, normally for five years.

8.80

Due regard should be paid to the safety and welfare of the animals and participants. Appropriate levels of grazing should be provided - the British Horse Society recommends between 0.6-0.8 hectare of summer pasture for a single horse. It is also important that for the safety of horses, ponies and riders that commercial equestrian centres have direct access onto 'off the road' trails and that none of these trails cross or lead onto heavily trafficked roads.

Policy LTC9: Tourism Facilities.

Within the Defined Resort Area and the Maritime Quarter development proposals for tourist facilities or proposals likely to increase the attraction of the Area to tourists will be permitted provided that they:-

(i)

contribute to the range and quality of tourism uses;

(ii)

are of an appropriate scale;

(iii)

do not have an unduly adverse effect on the character of the area, or cause visual, environmental or infrastructure problems, or harm the amenities of nearby residents.

8.81

Tourism is one of the country's fastest growing employment sectors. It covers a wide range of diverse but related activities and facilities to cater for the needs of both day and longer term visitors, such as:- accommodation, catering, transport, tourist attractions and information provision. Tourism makes a major contribution to the national economy and to the prosperity of many cities, towns and rural areas, and its continuing growth generates a range of economic activity and new job opportunities.

8.82

There is also an overlap with sport, recreation and retailing which meets the needs of tourists as well as local people. Other related activities include business centres, sales events, music festivals and professional and academic meetings which combine tourism with their specific purposes.

8.83

Within the Plan Area the tourist industry is centred upon the resort of Cleethorpes which has a long established association with tourism. Tourist attractions elsewhere include the National Fishing Heritage Centre located within the Maritime Quarter of the Alexandra Dock, Grimsby Auditorium, Waltham Windmill and the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB.

8.84

The Council's Leisure Services Department has recently produced a Tourism Pole Development Plan which steers the continuing regeneration of the Tourism Industry in North East Lincolnshire. Its vision is to build on recent successes and maintain the impetus of change to help create a vibrant tourism industry that will attract ever increasing visitor numbers. The establishment of the Tourism Pole will enable key weaknesses in the Tourism product to be addressed and further build upon the current regeneration of the industry.

8.85

The 'Tourism Pole' partnership requires ERDF support and substantial investment from the private sector and identifies the area's largest site for leisure and tourism development, the Thrunscoe land also known as the Meridian Point Development. This 19.95 acre site is being actively marketed for a variety of tourism related uses including a hotel, indoor attraction complex and support ancillaries such as restaurants, fast-food outlets, landscaped open space, lake and recreation areas.

8.86

In addition to the Tourism Pole the Council is actively facilitating a Tourism Forum made up of members of the community with business interests in tourism and the resort. A strategy is being formulated to help guide the authority in its decision making and this will effectively form supplementary planning guidance where there are material planning considerations.

8.87

Cleethorpes Resort attracts a considerable number of day trippers and short break holiday makers. The Council will maintain its commitment to encouraging further investment that will enhance the popularity of the resort whilst ensuring developments are of a suitable scale and do not cause visual, environmental or infrastructure problems. Over the last decade or so the resort has suffered a period of falling visitor numbers, a situation which the Council has sought to reverse with renewed investment in the resort area. This has been reinforced by the redevelopment of the Thorpe Park Caravan park and the construction of Pleasure Island Theme Park which make significant financial commitments to the long-term future of Cleethorpes by the private sector. Public sector investment has seen the development of the Discovery Centre, an interactive visitor and educational facility focusing upon the environment of the Humber. Such injections in confidence in the resort provide an important boost to the local economy, which is hoped will encourage further investment. The resort of Cleethorpes offers a variety of tourist accommodation ranging from traditional seaside B&B's to large caravan parks. In addition further non permanent accommodation is provided within the Fitties Chalet Park which consists of privately owned temporary holiday homes.

8.88

The vast majority of tourist and visitor attractions are associated with the summer season and are geographically centred on the resort, although recently there have been significant changes in tourism trends. It is important to acknowledge the growth in countryside pursuits, interest in the country's heritage and a lengthening of the tourism season. Increasingly, the natural beauty of the areas of landscape importance are establishing themselves as visitor attractions in their own right, as are attractions such as Waltham Windmill and the Immingham Museum.

8.89

Furthermore, the 'Humber Flats and Marshes: Pyewipe and Cleethorpes Coast SSSI, SPA and Ramsar Site', located just off Grimsby and the resort of Cleethorpes is one of the finest stretches of mudflats in Europe. Bird migration takes place primarily during the off-peak season and consequently may provide an opportunity for extending the season.

8.90

PPG21 'Tourism' states that the tourism industry should flourish and develop in response to market forces whilst respecting and enhancing the environment for the benefits of visitors and residents. Whilst there are benefits for visitors and residents alike in the provision of tourism facilities, there is potential scope for conflict arising from development pressures or excessive numbers of people in sensitive locations. It is important that all tourism related proposals are of a high quality of design and layout and are appropriately sited with regard to adjacent land uses and activities. The majority of tourism developments are small scale in nature and can be successfully accommodated in line with the tourism policy. However, in exceptional cases, opportunities may arise for large scale or innovative projects which exploit new market trends which could include hotel complexes, exhibition centres, theme parks or major new visitor attractions operating all year round.

8.91

There are opportunities for tourism facilities to develop outside the Resort of Cleethorpes. Grimsby's tourism industry has developed around the developments within the Town Centre at Alexandra Dock the 'Maritime Quarter' and the 'Leisure Quarter' at Cromwell Road where the Grimsby Auditorium/Leisure Centre and in the near future further leisure developments based on Millennium Park are found. The Maritime Quarter is comprised of the Commercial Area, west of Victoria Street, north of Frederick Ward Way and east of Alexandra Road.

8.92

The National Fishing Heritage Centre, a themed attraction which uniquely recreates many aspects of the fishing industry and has a number of galleries for a changing programme of exhibitions and display, is the flagship of the continuing development around Alexandra Dock and is complemented by the newly completed 'Alexandra Dock Business Centre' and the privately owned paddle steamer -'The P.S. Lincoln Castle'.

8.93

In addition to the main tourist attraction the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB is just a short drive away from the main urban area of Grimsby/Cleethorpes and offers opportunities for informal recreation such as walking and cycling. This area is particularly sensitive and if it is to develop as a tourism resource, related developments will require a high standard of design thus minimising visitor/resident conflict and its impact on the AONB.

Policy LTC10: Expansion of the Cleethorpes Light Railway.

Development proposals which would prejudice the implementation of the expansion of the Cleethorpes Light Railway will not be permitted.

8.94

The nature of Cleethorpes resort is linear. This results in traffic congestion in the Summer, as both day-trippers and staying visitors use their own transport to move around the Resort. With attractions and accommodation spread along the four miles of Resort, families with young children find it particularly difficult on foot. The Cleethorpes Light Railway is one of the few narrow gauge railways still operating and currently runs a service throughout the year from close to the proposed Meridian Point development to the Leisure Centre (around the middle of the Resort.

8.95

As part of the Tourism Pole it is intended, if successful, to expand the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway in both directions: South to the Thorpe Park Holiday Centre and North to the Pier where it would link with the mainline station providing a comprehensive transport network. Cleethorpes mainline station would also be the location for the arrival and departure of coaches to Cleethorpes.

Policy LTC11: Caravanning and Camping Sites.

Development proposals for the use of land for caravanning and/or camping facilities or for the extension of existing uses will be permitted provided that:-

(i)

the site is closely associated with existing or proposed tourist attraction(s) and does not dominate it by means of siting, scale or location;

(ii)

it affords easy access to the strategic road network by avoiding the use of narrow lanes;

(iii)

there is no unduly adverse effect on residential amenity;

(iv)

it is accompanied by a landscaping scheme which shows how the impact of the development on the wider landscape is reduced;

(v)

the provision of any ancillary development is restricted to those facilities which are required to serve the site and is incorporated into, or forms an extension to, an existing building;

(vi)

it would not have an unduly adverse effect on the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB, the Humber Flats and Marshes, Pyewipe and Cleethorpes Coast SSSI, SPA and Ramsar Site, nature reserves or other important sites of wildlife habitat or nature interest;

(vii)

it would not result in the permanent loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land or be located within 400m of an intensive livestock unit to land which has approval for slurry spreading.

8.96

Caravan and camping sites are playing an increasingly important role in the local tourism industry. The Council seeks to encourage proposals which attract more people and spending within the Plan area, which in turn creates employment opportunities. However, the benefits of caravans and camping developments must always be weighed against their impact on the environment.

8.97

Caravanning and camping facilities can be intrusive forms of development in the countryside, particularly in sensitive landscape areas. The introduction of caravan and camping sites into the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty would result in a reduction of its intrinsic value, by virtue of the alien nature of such development in a sensitive landscape form. Additionally, sites which are designated for the importance of their flora and fauna could be irreversibly damaged particularly if a site is well used.

8.98

Caravans and camping vehicles make special demands on the local infrastructure. The traffic tends to have wide loads, slow speeds and is concentrated over summer weekends and Bank Holidays. Developments which would place undue demands on these services will not normally be received favourably unless specific provision for highway improvements, treatment plants or other associated works have been submitted as part of a planning application or are proposed for inclusion in a Section 106 planning obligation under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

8.99

Poorly designed caravan and camping sites can be intrusive in the landscape, hence the Council wishes to encourage a good standard of design and layout which will make them more attractive to visitors and less intrusive to nearby residents.

8.100

The scale of the caravanning and camping site should also reflect the tourist attraction which it is intended to serve and the availability of other such facilities in the area. It is considered inappropriate for large scale facilities to be located away from major tourist attractions or to be sited adjacent to relatively small visitor attractions which may result in its overuse and in sensitive locations, could cause irreparable damage. In this light smaller caravanning and camping facilities which are in scale with its surroundings and located away from the main Resort Area may be acceptable subject to other Local Plan policies.

Policy LTC12: Amusement Centres.

Development proposals for amusement centres will be permitted in the following locations:-

(i)

Shopping Areas, (subject to Policies S4 and S5);

(ii)

Commercial Areas;

(iii)

the North Promenade, Tourism Area.

Provided that the proposals:-

(a)

would not unduly adversely effect the environmental quality and character of the area;

(b)

would have no adverse effect on pedestrian movement;

(c)

does not abut a residential property;

(d)

would not have an unduly detrimental effect on the residential or other amenities in the area;

(e)

retains any existing shop windows/display; and,

(f)

can be satisfactorily controlled in so far as opening hours and noise emanating from the premises are concerned.

8.101

For Local Plan purposes amusement arcades are recognised as being a form of amusement centre. North East Lincolnshire's amusement centres are generally located within Grimsby Town Centre or the Resort Area of Cleethorpes.

8.102

Amusement centres are now a familiar scene in many of Britain's holiday resorts. Whilst these are generally acceptable in resort areas they can be damaging to retail areas and can severely harm the amenities of local residents in mixed commercial/residential areas, especially at night. Therefore, the development of these uses within the resort of Cleethorpes will be encouraged to locate primarily on the North Promenade which is considered to be particularly appropriate as it is a relatively self contained area where such uses can be maximised.

8.103

Along Alexandra Road, Cleethorpes, there is increasing pressure for changes from retail to resort uses. In this location there is a definite mix of resort related functions and other activities. There is, therefore, scope for allowing additional amusement centres provided that no single use becomes dominant.

8.104

Often by their nature amusement centres are used as meeting points by youths/teenagers. Such uses are best located in Town Centre locations where their associated side-effects such as noise, disturbance, litter and congestion can be absorbed.

8.105

However, within certain Town Centre locations the proliferation of non-shopping uses such as amusement centres can lead to a breakdown in traditional shopping frontages. It is considered essential in terms of securing the long-term commercial interests of the Town Centre that existing Primary Shopping Frontages are retained. An over-concentration of amusement centres would fragment the shopping scene and would inevitably be detrimental to its overall viability and vitality.

8.106

Another important factor in assessing amusement centres is the pedestrian conflict that can occur immediately outside the premises.

8.107

Pedestrian flow in terms of free movement and across/egress can be affected by youths/teenagers gathering outside of such establishments. In order to minimise possible pedestrian conflicts the footpath must be of an adequate width to cater for pedestrian/centre users.

8.108

PPG6 states that 'Amusement centres are most appropriately sited in secondary shopping areas, or in areas of mixed commercial development. They are unlikely to be acceptable in primary shopping areas or near schools, churches, hospitals and hotels. An amusement centre which is likely to affect visual amenity or cause noise or disturbance will normally be out of place, especially in conservation areas or other places of special architectural or historic character.'

Policy LTC13: Educational Areas.

Within Educational Areas development proposals in respect of non-educational uses will be permitted provided that:-

(i)

they are compatible with adjacent and existing uses; and,

(ii)

they involve buildings formally declared to be surplus to LEA requirements.

Within an Educational Area a development proposal involving the loss of playing fields and other open spaces will only be permitted:-

(a)

if the proposal is of proven public interest that outweighs the recreational and amenity interest of the site; or,

(b)

if the facilities can best be retained and enhanced through redevelopment of part of the site or through relocation of the recreational resource.

8.109

A large amount of the Plan Area is given to the provision of educational buildings, grounds and school playing fields. Many of these are owned and run by the Borough Council, being the Local Education Authority (LEA).

8.110

During recent years, in response to a fluctuating school population, some local education authorities in the country have taken decisions to dispose of land and buildings surplus to requirements. However, once developed, it is unlikely that educational playing fields can be recovered and so it is prudent not to dispose of any school playing fields or allow for non-educational developments on educational land unless investigations prove conclusively that the sites will not be required in the longer term for school or community use.

8.111

It is considered necessary that proposed new uses for surplus education buildings, grounds or playing fields are compatible with neighbouring uses which usually are residential. Ideally such new uses should be of benefit to the local community. Similar considerations will also apply to the release of private educational facilities.

8.112

Within the Plan Area, the LEA and the Franklin and Grimsby Colleges offer a comprehensive range of evening and day classes for adult educational facilities. These will continue to increase and to cater for this demand premises operated at Nuns Corner by Humberside University and the Grimsby College and in Chelmsford Avenue, by Franklin College, may require expansion during the Plan period.

8.113

There are also two Universities represented, the University of Hull and the University of Humberside. Various partnership relations have been formed between these institutions which greatly increases the access to higher education for the local population.

8.114

These new partnerships will reinforce the towns University status and will assist in its social and economic development. The opportunities provided will not only better serve the local community but will attract national and overseas recruits, as well as new staff, all contributing to the local economy.

8.115

The importance of school buildings and playing fields as facilities for community activities, in addition to education use, is recognised. The LEA and the Governors of Franklin College (and Grimsby College) encourage the dual use of educational premises and this can be achieved by suitable timing and management agreements.

8.116

The Council will encourage the creation of 'school nature areas' when landscape schemes are implemented within the grounds of local schools and encourage schools to develop and manage their own school nature areas or adopt an area of nature conservation interest.

8.117

Planning Policy Guidance 17, 'Sport and Recreation' (PPG17) points out that all playing fields, whether school playing fields, or those owned by other public, private or voluntary organisations are of special significance both for their recreational and amenity value and, in towns and cities, for their contribution to the green space of an urban environment. When not required for their original purpose, they may be able to meet the growing need for recreational land in the wider community.

8.118

PPG17 generally advises the protection of such playing fields except where the playing facilities can best be retained and enhanced through the redevelopment of a small part of the site or where alternative provision of equal community benefit is made available or where the Local Plan shows an excess of sports pitch provision. No such excess exists within the Plan Area and the Council therefore wishes to protect school playing fields from development proposals which would result in their loss.

8.119

Generally the Plan Area is well served in terms of all types of school, catering for all age groups of children. Additional provision may be required at Scartho Top, East Ravendale and Waltham with the latter two held by the LEA for possible development at a future date.

Policy LTC14: Community Use Areas.

Within Community Use Areas, development proposals will be permitted provided that the proposed use:-

(i)

is ancillary or complementary to the predominate use; and,

(ii)

would not have an unduly detrimental effect on neighbouring land uses.

8.120

Community Use Areas include the Grimsby District General Hospital, Crematorium and Grimsby and Cleethorpes Cemeteries. As well as buildings, these Community Use Areas have substantial areas of open space (grounds) which have great amenity value in the Plan Area.

8.121

For the well being of the Community, Community Use Areas including buildings and their grounds have to be safeguarded where appropriate and opportunities for improvement need to be encouraged. A proportion of Grimsby District General Hospital is currently surplus to Health Authority requirements and the opportunity has been taken to allocate an area within the hospital area Proposed Employment Site (See Proposals Map).

8.122

Scartho Road Cemetery was opened in the late 19th Century and contains many mature trees dating from that time in addition to a diversity of ground flora which has evolved over the years. This combination of features, and the fauna associated with it, has lead to the older part of the Cemetery being designated as an area of Local Wildlife Interest and to a management plan being devised to safeguard its future.

8.123

The Council will, by means established in the management plan, encourage local communities, schools and voluntary groups to participate in the design, enhancement, management and interpretation of the Grimsby Cemetery Site of Nature Conservation Interest.

8.124

There are other services in the community such as libraries, health centres and social services which consists of provision for the elderly, handicapped, mentally ill, children and other vulnerable groups. These services are not specifically identified on the Proposals Map but fall within the broader area allocations in which they are located. The Council is committed to providing such services and will, where appropriate, ensure that such uses are readily accessible to the general public.

8.125

Most of the larger settlements have a communal meeting place such as a village or church hall or other related facility. The Council is aware that Waltham which has a population of over 6,000 residents has no such facility and hence will support the provision of a village hall. It is unlikely however, that the Council will be able to fund the development alone and that an element of private sector income will be required.

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