Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan Revised Deposit 2003

Chapter B4. Sport and recreation

CONTEXT

B4.1 Sport and recreation play an important role in helping ensure a healthy lifestyle and improving the quality of life as well as having a valuable social and economic role. Providing opportunities for a wide range of leisure activities for everyone, including equality of access, in locations best placed to serve the community is therefore of key importance.

B4.2 The demand for sport, recreation and leisure grew steadily throughout the 1980s and 1990s and this trend is likely to continue. Principal areas of growth include the participation of women, the middle-aged and elderly and non-professional workers. Although membership of clubs for formal sports remains low there is a considerable growth in the participation in informal recreation. This is reflected in Bath and North East Somerset where walking in the countryside and swimming are the most popular activities.

B4.3 Government advice on sport and recreation is contained in PPG17, PPG3 and PPG13 with the emphasis on providing recreational opportunities for all. The development plan system should ensure that adequate land and water resources are safeguarded for both organised sport and informal recreation.

B4.4 Sport England’s planning policy statement, ‘Planning Policies for Sport’ (1999) is intended to promote a wide understanding of the land use requirements of sport and to assist local planning authorities in the preparation of development plan policies and the development control process.

B4.5 The National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) ‘The Six Acre Standard’ has been applied by a range of local authorities throughout the country.  PPG17 ‘Sport and Recreation’ says that councils should formulate local standards, and the Council has carried out its own Playing Pitch Assessment to develop a local standard for playing fields.  However but until studies on other forms of recreation are complete that work is done it is considered that the NPFA standard should be adopted in the plan as a basis for calculating the requirements for other forms of outdoor sport provision and children’s play space.

B4.6 Advice on countryside recreation is provided through a range of documents produced by the Countryside Agency and Sport England.

B4.7 JRSP Policies 42–45 reflect Government guidance in promoting sport and recreation through the provision of new facilities and retention of those existing both in urban and rural areas and settlements so long as there are no adverse implications for the environment.

B4.8 The Council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy (1999) provides a framework for the provision and development of sporting and recreational opportunities over a five-year period through its Action Plans to be achieved through partnership with the private and voluntary sectors (Quick Guide 8).

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PROTECTION OF PLAYING FIELDS AND RECREATIONAL OPEN SPACE

B4.9 Government guidance in PPG 17 advises local authorities to resist the loss of open space, sports and recreational facilities where it conflicts with the wider public interest unless an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown it to be surplus to requirements. Surplus to requirements should include consideration of all the functions that open space can perform. Sports facilities It has not only have recreation and amenity value but also makes a vital contribution to the conservation of the natural and built heritage of the area. Many are also safeguarded under policy BH.15 as visually important open space.

B4.10 Outdoor sports include provision for playing pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts and athletic tracks. In the past, playing fields and other areas used for formal recreation of open space valuable for recreation have been lost to other development, particularly that in private ownership in Norton-Radstock and Bath . This depletes the stock and increases pressure on other facilities in other areas of the District.

B4.11 Many school and college playing fields are also available for community use and contribute to the overall provision in the area. Proposals for alternative uses resulting from changes in roll numbers and school curriculum requirements as well as from other competing pressures can result in irreplaceable losses in the overall provision of open space.

B4.12 Although there is currently sufficient publicly accessible open space, it is crucial that the District’s stock of open space, particularly sports grounds and playing fields, is well protected from development if it is to meet future recreational requirements.  In line with Government advice and Policy 42 of the JRSP, Policy SR.1 seeks to protect open space of recreational value throughout the District including that not currently available for public use such as some school playing fields. The Council has undertaken a playing pitch assessment of football, rugby, hockey and cricket to establish needs up to 2011. Further studies of other outdoor sports such as tennis, bowling and athletics will be undertaken in the future. The playing pitch assessment analysed the current provision of playing fields by establishing how many are currently publicly available (this can include public or privately owned pitches including school pitches, as long as there are formal agreements for public use) and how many teams play in the area and thus need playing pitches. The study looked at provision in four catchment areas, on the basis that travel to facilities is more likely to occur within these areas, but also to give a geographical dimension to current and future provisions. However, the catchment areas do not necessarily reflect all travel patterns to facilities.

B4.12A            The playing pitch assessment estimates the required provision of playing pitches until the year 2011 taking into account population projections, using estimated team generation rates to predict future demand for playing pitches. It also takes account of matters affecting usage such as drainage problems. Without any net loss or gain of playing fields until 2011, the surplus/shortfall of playing pitches for the year 2011 is set out in Diagram 6 below:

B4.12B The four catchment areas perform very differently with high overall deficiencies in Keynsham and Norton Radstock, an equilibrium in Bath and an over provision of some sports in the Chew Valley Area. The overprovision in the Chew Valley area is mainly due to the large provision of pitches from the Chew Valley secondary school and of pitches in the Whitchurch area, which mainly cater for Bristol Clubs.

B4.13 Thus, Policy SR.1A seeks to protect formal recreational land throughout the District, including that not currently available for public use such as some school playing fields. There may, however, be special circumstances where the development of existing land of recreational value can be justified, but in such cases the existing facility will have to be suitably enhanced or appropriate alternative provision found elsewhere to recompense the loss. However, before accepting the loss of an existing formal recreational site to built-up development, the Council will consider other recreational uses appropriate to these sites such as community open space, allotments etc.

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PROTECTION OF LAND USED FOR INFORMAL RECREATION AND PLAY

B4.13A Informal recreation and leisure comprises a range of pursuits including walking, playing, cycling and other activities that are not formally organised.  Facilities available for such activity range from parks and amenity open spaces including common land, to equipped play areas.  As with sports grounds, these open spaces are often as important for their amenity value as for their recreational value and contribute to the enhancement of the environments in which they are located, making them attractive places to be in or pass through.  Many of these areas are safeguarded under Policy BH.15 as Visually Important Open Spaces. Policy SR.1B aims to ensure that this valuable recreational resource is safeguarded.

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ALLOCATION OF LAND FOR SPORT AND RECREATION

Outdoor Sports Facilities

B4.14   Outdoor sports includes provision for playing pitches, bowling greens, tennis courts and athletic tracks.  Existing facilities have been assessed to see whether they meet the NPFA’s minimum standards for youth and adult outdoor playing space for sport, see Quick Guide 9.

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B4.15 There is a range of outdoor sports facilities in Bath including recreation grounds, cricket grounds, playing fields for pitch sports, courts and golf courses. Some outdoor facilities are in private ownership but available for public use on a membership basis. Bath University has some 23 ha outdoor sports facilities and several of the schools also have outdoor facilities available for community use.

B4.16 There is currently sufficient amounts of publicly accessible outdoor playing space in or close to Bath based on the on the NPFA minimum standards taking into account the availability of many of the school outdoor sports facilities to the public.  However, provision varies across the City.

B4.17  The existing outdoor facilities in Keynsham are estimated to be insufficient by the year 2011 sufficient to continue to meet the NPFA minimum standard for its residents through the Plan period.  This takes into account private facilities at the Somerdale site and Crown Fields and Manor Road Playing Fields as well as some the community use of the two secondary schools.

  B4.18 These facilities are also used by a larger catchment area, which creates additional demand for their use.  Some facilities lie within the floodplain of the River Avon and are therefore prone to flooding at certain times of the year. Built development in the floodplain to support these uses is unlikely to be acceptable.   In order to meet predicted shortfalls there is scope to re-designate pitches, improve drainage and formalise use of school pitches. The proposed urban extension at South West Keynsham will inevitably give rise to additional local requirements for outdoor sports facilities in this part of Keynsham where there is a limited availability of such facilities.  It will also meet Plan objectives on securing Balanced Communities.  Further provision of outdoor sports facilities will therefore be required under Policy GDS.1 site K2 .

B4.19 The situation in the Norton-Radstock area is similar to that in Bath and Keynsham with the existing supply of outdoor sports facilities being insufficient to meet expected need until 2011.continuing to meet NPFA standards.  However this relies on the availability of school playing fields. 

B4.20  Proposals for development south of Charlton Park adjacent to the A367 provides an opportunity to secure additional facilities to supplement the existing supply and meet Plan objectives on Balanced Communities (Policy GDS.1 site NR1).  In addition To secure adequate long term provision land is allocated at Manor Road , Writhlington for outdoor sports pitches. Developers with proposals for new housing will be expected to contribute to this provision (Policy SR.6).

B4.21 Provision for outdoor sports facilities in some of the most villages appears to meet current needs although others still have a need for this type of facility anticipated needs until 2011. There is a range of facilities including pitches and courts, again supplemented by the community use of schools including those outdoor facilities on the edge of Bath . However, the assessment has identified a shortfall of four junior football and one cricket pitch in Paulton and a shortfall of four junior football pitches in Mendip Ward. The allocation at Writhlington will help to meet some of these deficiencies and there is scope in the Chew Valley catchment area to re-designate pitches.

B4.22 Of all the villages Peasedown has seen the greatest growth in residential development in the past few years and some 4 ha. of land previously allocated for outdoor recreational provision to meet the increased needs of the expanded settlement has now been implemented.

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Indoor Sports Facilities

B4.23 The Sports and Leisure Centre in the centre of Bath is the main venue for indoor sports activities. Community use of some schools in the City, including Culverhay, complements this provision by providing access to sports facilities in the outer urban areas. There are a number of independent schools in Bath and private clubs with good sports facilities some of which are available for use by the public by arrangement.

B4.24 The Leisure Centre in Keynsham and the Whitchurch Sports Centre in south Bristol provide good indoor facilities serving the north-west of the District which are supplemented by community use of school facilities.

B4.25 There is an identified need for an indoor sports hall in Norton-Radstock that could be achieved by an extension to South Wansdyke Sports Centre with Norton Hill School being another option for the facility. Three secondary schools have indoor facilities for community use.

B4.26 The villages rely largely on community halls and other smaller scale facilities for organised indoor sports. There is a dual use agreement with Chew Valley School which serves the west of the District for the use of the sports hall and squash courts, and public access to the swimming pool at Paulton in the south of the District. Those settlements near Bath will rely on indoor facilities in the City.

B4.27 Application of Sport England’s Facility Planning Model (1998) indicates that the current level of provision for indoor sports broadly meets demand in the District. However, the Council will keep the overall provision of indoor facilities under review and seek to make better use of existing sports facilities including those in private ownership for use by the general public. Proposals for the improvement of existing facilities and provision of new indoor facilities will be considered in the context of Policies SR.4 and SR.5 and other relevant policies in the Plan.

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Informal Recreation and Play

B4.28   Informal recreation and leisure comprises a range of pursuits including walking, playing, cycling and other activities that are not formally organised.  Facilities available for such activity range from parks, amenity open spaces including common land, to equipped play areas.  As with sports grounds these open spaces are often as important for their amenity value as for their recreational value and contribute to the enhancement to the environments in which they are located making them attractive places to be in or pass through.  Many of these areas are safeguarded under Policy BH.15 as Visually Important Open Spaces.  However where a need has been identified for the further provision of land for informal recreational use land is allocated in Policy SR.2.

B4.29 Bath has a number of large open spaces that are regularly used for informal recreation including Royal Victoria Park, Alice Park, Sydney Gardens , Henrietta Park, Alexandra Park and Parade Gardens .  There are also a number of recreation grounds and many other smaller areas of amenity open space accessible to the public.

B4.30 The Memorial and Chew Parks provide the principal areas for informal recreational use in Keynsham. Open space adjacent to the River Avon at County Bridge is allocated under Policy SR.2 for additional recreational use.

B4.31 Informal public open space provision in Norton-Radstock largely comprises small amenity areas and playing fields.  Land off Clevedon Road , Welton is allocated under Policy SR.2 and will improve provision.  Land is also set aside at Foxhills, Radstock for informal public open space as part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the former railway and wagon works (Policy GDS.1). Outdoor recreational provision is also part of the scheme proposed on land south of Charlton Park , Midsomer Norton as set out in Policy GDS.1.

B4.32 Although there is access to the countryside for informal recreation pursuits there is a recognised need for a centrally located park to serve this urban area. Land for a Town Park is allocated under Policy SR.2 between Midsomer Norton town centre and Radstock Road along the Somer Valley. Here there are opportunities for improvement of the whole area by including a formal amenity area taking advantage of the River Somer together with the potential for an informal parkland area and riverside walk.

B4.33 The only formal park in the villages is Paulton Memorial Park. Elsewhere in the rural settlements provision for informal recreation generally takes the form of recreation grounds, village greens and other areas of amenity open space.

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Children’s Play Areas

B4.34 Play is crucial for all aspects of a child’s development.  This is recognised in the Council’s Play Policy and Strategy. The Council has an important role in providing opportunities for children ‘to explore, manipulate, experience and affect their environment within challenging but secure settings’ (B&NES Bath & North East Somerset Play Policy - 2000). 

B4.35 In accordance with the NPFA standards, children’s playing space should be accessible by foot without having to cross busy roads and within a recommended walking distance from home.  The three categories of playing space are Local Area for Play (LAP), Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) and Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play (NEAP), see ‘Schedule to Policy SR.3 for Minimum Standard for Children’s Play Provision’

B4.36 In Bath there are opportunities for play in parks and many other open spaces including equipped play areas.  When assessed against the NPFA standards (see Quick Guide 9) there is only a small overall shortfall of existing children’s playing space provision City-wide.  However there is a need for further LEAPs in a number of areas including Upper Weston, Lower Weston/Locksbrook Road , Upper Oldfield Park and the City centre where accessible play areas would meet not only the needs of local residents but those visitors with children.

B4.37 There are currently two NEAPs in Bath: Royal Victoria Park and Rosewarn Close, Whiteway. There may be opportunities during the Plan period to upgrade the existing LEAPS at Alice Park, Weston Recreation Ground and provide another south of the River.

B4.38 Keynsham currently has 7 LEAPs and one NEAP (Memorial Park).  But assessing this provision against the NPFA standards there is a need to provide further LEAPs.  Although no sites have been identified, the areas in need are in the vicinity of the Lays Drive Estate, south of Coronation Road , the Hawthorne Close area, and west of Chandag Road near Keynsham Cricket Ground.  The existing LEAPs at Manor Road and Kelston Road could also be upgraded to provide two more NEAPs for the town. The proposed urban extension at South West Keynsham will also generate a need for further children’s playspace provision which is one of the site requirements under Policy GDS.1.

B4.39 Norton Radstock has 17 LEAPs and one NEAP (The Tom Huyton Memorial Children’s Park). However there is still a need for LEAPs in the Charlton Park and Nightingales areas of Midsomer Norton. Land is allocated under Policy SR.2 to upgrade the LEAP at Waterford Park, Westfield and there may be scope for a NEAP at South Wansdyke Sports Centre.

B4.40 Children’s playing space provision in the villages appears inadequate if assessed strictly against the NPFA minimum standard.  However provision also needs to take account of accessibility, the availability of recreation grounds for casual play and opportunities for informal play in the surrounding countryside. There is a need for new LEAPs in Peasedown St John, Paulton, the northern part of High Littleton, Pensford, Compton Martin, Ubley, Temple Cloud, Chew Magna and Saltford.

B4.41 The Local pPlan can contribute to achieving opportunities for play by ensuring that existing outdoor play space is retained and, where development takes place, new play areas are provided. Where a suitable site has been identified to help meet the shortfalls in both formal and informal recreational provision in particular areas of the District, land is allocated under Policy SR.2

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Children’s Playing Space and New Residential Development

B4.42 Where a suitable site has been identified to help meet the shortfalls in provision in particular areas of the District land is allocated under Policy SR.2. During the Plan period new areas of equipped children’s playing space will be required to be provided as part of new housing development proposed under Policy GDS.1, as well as in association with windfall sites and from the renewal of planning permissions for residential development.  The level of provision will be based on the NPFA recommended minimum standard as set out in Quick Guide 9 above.

B4.43 Depending on the size of the site it may not always be appropriate to make provision on site or to justify the provision of full play facilities.  In such cases it may be more appropriate to provide accessible alternatives or make a financial contribution to the provision or enhancement of suitabley located alternative sites.  In some circumstances, because of the type of occupier a proposed development caters for, e.g. accommodation for the elderly, it may not be appropriate to seek provision of children’s playing space and such cases will be considered on their merits.

B4.44 Where the children’s playing space is principally of benefit for the development itself developers will also be required to maintain the playing space if retained in their ownership, and if dedicated to the District or Parish Council, make a commuted capital contribution to cover maintenance costs for a 10 year period. The level of contribution will depend upon the amount and category of playing space provided. Provision and /or contributions will be sought by means of planning obligations under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) or through planning conditions.

B4.45 In providing land for children’s playing space the developer will also be required to make provision to lay out and equip the playing space and provide a buffer zone between it and the nearest residential properties (see Quick Guide 10). ‘Schedule to Policy SR.3: Minimum Standard for Children’s Play Provision’ details these requirements in line with the NFPA minimum standards. Proposals for new residential development will be assessed within the context of Policy SR.3.

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PROVISION OF NEW/ ENHANCEMENT OF EXISTING SPORT AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

B4.46 During the Plan period it is anticipated that proposals will come forward to expand or improve existing recreational facilities or to provide new facilities to meet the needs of new activities or the expansion of others that have become more popular.

Proposals for Recreational Facilities within Urban Areas and Settlements

B4.47 The Council supports the development of new facilities for sport and recreation and the enhancement or improvement of existing facilities where there is an identified need to meet increased demand or changes in patterns of leisure activities. This includes the greater dual use of facilities such as school pitches and other outdoor facilities in private ownership that can enhance the overall provision. All development proposals for sport and recreational facilities will be considered in the context of Policy SR.4.

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Proposals for Recreational Facilities outside Urban Areas and Settlements

B4.48 Recreational activities such as golf courses and paintball games tend to require large tracts of land outside settlements in the countryside. The siting, scale of all ancillary buildings should be consistent with the aim of not harming the visual amenity of the landscape character (especially in the two AONBs). In the Green Belt the construction of many types of recreational facilities, including those for indoor sport, would be inappropriate development under Policy GB.1 unless they are essential facilities for outdoor sport and recreation and relate to small-scale ancillary buildings. The suitable re-use or adaptation of rural buildings may be more appropriate that a new building in some locations.

B4.49 Consideration should also be given to the cumulative impact of recreational uses in the countryside especially those proposals which give rise to unacceptable air, noise or light pollution, or adversely affect the water environment. Any development proposals for formal outdoor recreation outside Policy SC.1 settlements will be considered in the context of Policy SR.5 and other relevant policies in the Plan.

Ancillary Recreational Facilities

B4.50 Informal recreation in the countryside generally has little need for new built facilities. However, where it would enhance the recreational value of the area, the Council may consider granting permission for small scale ancillary facilities in suitable locations only if they complement the particular recreational use and do not detract from the landscape character or have an adverse impact on nature conservation interests. This might include limited parking areas; refreshment, toilet or bike hire facilities; picnic sites and sculpture trails. The cumulative impact of such development on the environment quality will also be a major factor in determining applications. Any such development proposals will be considered under Policy SR.5.

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PROVISION OF FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT

B4.51 As well as children’s playing space all new residential development, including allocated housing sites, has the potential to generate demand for additional recreational space including recreation grounds, playing fields and indoor sports facilities. The provision of outdoor recreational facilities will be site requirements for some sites allocated under Policy GDS.1.

B4.52 The Council will assess the availability of existing facilities to serve the development. Where replacement, additional or enhanced facilities are required, the developer will be expected to make provision directly related in scale and kind to the need generated by the development. This may take the form of on-site provision or where the need cannot be met on site developers will be expected to make provision off-site and/or contributions to the provision of additional or enhancement of existing facilities in the locality of the development including the recreational areas identified in Policy SR.2. This is in accordance with the guidance contained in Circular 1/97 ‘Planning Obligations’.

B4.53 Provision may also be secured through major office and retail development, development associated with reclaimed land, regeneration schemes such as the redevelopment of Western Riverside and MoD Foxhill in Bath, and former mineral workings.

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COMMERCIAL LEISURE DEVELOPMENT

B4.54 Commercial Leisure facilities are an important part of the local economy and tourist industry and include such uses as multiplex cinemas sometimes in conjunction with other recreation facilities, ten-pin bowling alleys and bingo halls all of which have specific functional requirements.

B4.55 JRSP Policy 43 seeks to guide recreational development that attracts large numbers towards locations in city, town and district centres before considering other locations within the urban areas. Facilities serving a wide catchment area should also be located within urban areas. All locations under consideration for commercial leisure use should be well related to the public transport network as well as being easily accessible by foot or cycle.

B4.56 This reflects guidance in PPG6 ‘Town Centres and Retail Development’ which advises that large scale commercial leisure proposals will be directed to accessible locations such as town centres. Proposals will be considered within the context of Policy SR.7 and other relevant policies in the Plan

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MAJOR SPORTS STADIUM

B4.57 Government guidance advises that local planning authorities give sympathetic consideration to development proposals for all-seater stadia, particularly where existing facilities are substandard or a club is seeking relocation.  This is in line with JRSP Policy 44 which supports the provision of a stadium in Bath to accommodate approximately 20,000 spectators.  There are two existing stadia in Bath: at the Recreation Ground, currently home to Bath Rugby Plc, with a capacity of approximately 8,500 8,200 and the Bath City's Football Club ground at Twerton Park, with a capacity of approximately 9,000.  Both clubs are investigating the possibility of new facilities or stadia including the option of with a view to sharing facilities.  The National Facilities Strategy for Rugby Union in England published in 2001 indicates that the minimum capacity for Premiership rugby clubs stadiums should be 10,000 during the season 2003/4. In the light of this, the environmental constraints of the City and the current levels of patronage, it is considered that a more realistic capacity is a stadium of about 15,000.  This would also be adequate to accommodate the football club's needs.

B4.58 Whilst no site has been identified, proposals for a single sports stadium and a wide range of sporting activities will be considered within the context of Policy SR.8. Consideration will also be given to its suitability for the requirements of the sport and the level at which it is played and to increase its long-term flexibility. It should be capable of future extension or adaptation. Favourable consideration will be given to proposals that provide opportunities for multiple use of the premises for the benefit of the community.

B4.59 As with other major development proposals within an urban area, the Council will expect the facility to be highly accessible by various modes of travel especially public transport. It should be demonstrated that any development ancillary to the main facility likely to accommodate a retail or leisure use would not adversely affect the vitality and viability of the City centre. Consideration should also be given to minimising the impact of the development proposal as a whole on the environment and amenity. In this respect the Council would expect the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment as part of the application for planning permission.

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ACCESS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE

Introduction

B4.60 The Local Plan seeks to increase opportunities for and access to a diversity of informal recreational uses in the countryside whilst conserving and enhancing its natural beauty and amenities. This includes improving links from the City, towns and villages to informal recreational activities on the urban fringes and to the open countryside beyond. The identification of ‘green routes’ between residential and employment areas and town/suburban centres and the improvement of access/links to open spaces and parks and other off-road routes will contribute towards access through and beyond the urban areas and offers an alternative and more sustainable method of travelling. This is exemplified by the Community Forest Walk  Path through the Forest of Avon in the North West of the District (see also Policy NE.5).

Recreational Routes

B4.61 Pursuits like walking and horse riding, particularly in the countryside, depend mainly on the Public Rights of Way (PROW) network whilst disused railway lines often provide the best opportunities for recreational cycling.

B4.62 One of the Countryside Agency’s objectives is that all PROWs in England are legally defined, properly maintained and well publicised with the support of Highways Authorities, landowners and other interested bodies.  It is also promoting the establishment of Greenways and ‘Quiet Roads’. With the aid of Lottery funds, the charity Sustrans is also developing such routes as part of a National Cycle Network which also incorporates disused railway lines, riversides and previously developed land. 

B4.63 Bath and North East Somerset has an extensive network of PROW, which form an integral part of the overall leisure facilities. A number of long distance and circular routes have been established which go through the District forming part of the network. The off-road section of these recreational routes are shown on the Proposals Map and Policy SR.9 seeks to ensure that any existing and proposed routes are not adversely affected by development proposals.

B4.64 Where a recreational route follows the line of a Some of the former railway, lines are also safeguarded as cycle routes under Policy T.7 and there may be opportunities for other complementary recreational uses e.g. walking. its course is protected as a sustainable transport route under Policy T.9 as designated on the Proposals Map. This applies to parts of routes 1 and 3 in Policy SR.9. The presence of the Avon Valley Railway alongside the Bath and Bristol Railway Path just over the district’s northern boundary at Bitton demonstrates that these uses can coexist.

B4.65 Where potential exists, the Council will support any opportunities to create further recreational routes during the Plan period through initiatives with private landowners in co-operation with public sector organisations. Any development proposals that affect existing or proposed routes identified in Policy SR.9 and any other PROW will be expected to maintain and/or incorporate the route within the scheme and, depending on the location, the Council will seek to negotiate the provision of additional linkages between urban areas and the wider countryside, open spaces, the River or Canal and other water based recreational areas.

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WATER BASED RECREATION

B4.66 Bath and North East Somerset has two significant waterways: the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal which together with the Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes, provide important resources for recreational uses.

B4.67 The Kennet and Avon Canal is owned and managed by British Waterways. The Canal was reopened in 1990 after extensive restoration and navigation is now possible between Bristol and Reading. The Kennet and Avon Canal Partnership was formed in 1994 to safeguard the future of the waterway and the Kennet and Avon Canal Conservation Plan has the broad remit to conserve the Canal’s heritage and its environs for the enjoyment of future generations.

B4.68 The Avon Valley Partnership was established in 1993 to address various issues relating to the management of the countryside in the vicinity of the River Avon from Bristol through Bath to the Wiltshire border. Its priorities for successful management of the asset include developing a feasibility study into the Avon Walkway and working with the community to help achieve access for all.

B4.69 JRSP Policy 45 seeks to ensure that the recreational value of waterways is maintained and enhanced. One of the roles of the Local Plan is to help promote and optimise recreational use of the River, Canal and Lake without detracting from their intrinsic qualities and recognising the special contribution the river and canal make to the character of the landscape and nature conservation interest, which is part of their attractiveness.

B4.70 For this reason a number of Waterside Recreational Activity Areas have been identified alongside the waterways, where visual amenity, access, sewerage and other problems can be minimised. Each waterway has its own characteristics that affect their ability to accommodate expansion of uses.

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River Avon

B4.71 Within Bath, the River is a well promoted tourist attraction. The section below Pulteney Weir has the greater potential for recreation use where there are towpaths, dedicated areas for moorings, and easy access to the waterside for anglers. Above Pulteney Weir the river environment is more sensitive and riverside development that would intensify the recreational use of the river and adversely affect nature conservation will be resisted. Both sections in Bath, however, are popular for organised boat trips.

B4.72 Downstream from Bath the River Avon is well used for water sports, informal boating and angling. Mill Island/Saltford Marina around the Shallows, Mead Lane are established recreational areas with facilities for moorings. Nevertheless any further intensification of existing uses or provision of additional facilities are likely to have a considerable impact on the character of the surrounding area particularly in view of restricted access.

B4.73 Kelston Mills on the opposite bank of the River Avon is an established Marina and Hanham Lock has an information point and refuse disposal facilities for passing craft although due to limited space and access, any expansion of facilities should be resisted.

B4.74 Upstream of Bath there is no right of navigation although it is well used by pleasure boats. Public access to the river banks is restricted to stretches at Batheaston and Warleigh and angling is mainly private. To help preserve the character of the area the Local Plan does not propose any increase of public access and the emphasis is on improving existing access and reducing conflicts at existing popular spots.

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Kennet and Avon Canal

B4.75 The Kennet and Avon Canal includes the canalised length of the River Avon between Hanham and Bath with short lengths of artificial canal to bypass the weirs. It is an important community resource for local recreation and education.

B4.76 With the increased use of the canal there is more pressure for moorings and other facilities. Suitable sites for visitor moorings are being investigated between Hanham and Bath. There are currently visitor moorings at Broad Quay, Top Lock and Darlington Wharf in Bath whist there are a number of permanent moorings Sydney Wharf, Bathwick.

B4.77 At Bathampton there are three areas for overnight moorings with improved facilities. Hampton Wharf has limited space and access problems and will continue as a low key mooring area. The Pumphouse at Claverton attracts car borne visitors and is likely to remain popular as canal navigation increases and an improvement to moorings and car parking facilities along Ferry Lane is envisaged.

B4.78 The bed of the former Somerset Coal Canal at Dundas has reopened as an off-channel mooring basin with improved facilities and Visitors Centre. At Dundas Wharf there is scope for further but restricted use. Here there are short-term visitor moorings in the basin and to its east and west.

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Chew Valley Lake

B4.79 The Chew Valley Lake is an important landscape feature and wildlife habitat within the Mendip Hills AONB. It attracts numerous visitors and can accommodate a range of recreational pursuits including angling, sailing, walking, bird-watching and picnicking through sensitive management by Bristol Water. Recreational facilities are concentrated in four defined areas: two picnic areas on the north east shore of the Lake and the others at the Sailing Club and Woodford Lodge angling centre on the north west shore. Facilities have improved in recent years to include a restaurant and visitor centre.

Development Proposals within the Waterside Recreational Activity Areas

B4.80 Development proposals need to be carefully controlled to avoid the gradual erosion of the inherent character of the River, Canal and Lakes and their immediate environment (see Para B7.121 on residential moorings).  The Waterside Recreational Activity Areas (WRAAs) listed in Policy SR.10 are either within the Green Belt and/or AONB.  Therefore proposals for additional facilities will need to be considered carefully, particularly in the context of Policies GB.1 and NE.2 as well as Policy SR.4, taking into account of the impact of traffic and parking on these sensitive environmental locations.

B4.81 Where necessary, permission will be subject to detailed conditions regulating site activities, the number of moorings and use of craft, access, parking, the provision of amenities and any other relevant aspects of the development including the protection of water quality and features of landscape and nature conservation interest.

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Development Proposals outside the Waterside Recreational Activity Areas

B4.82 Outside the WRAAs in the vicinity of the River, Canal and Lake the Council will seek to steer any activities and facilities away from these areas that are incompatible with the established recreational pattern and that have no overriding need to be in a waterside location. Policy SR.11 aims to prevent the introduction of pursuits that would be detrimental to the character of these areas including their cumulative impact on the environment. Policies GB.1 and NE.2 may also be relevant depending on the location of the proposal.

B4.83 It should be noted that the Council, through its planning powers, cannot control the activities that take place on the waterways themselves.

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COMMERCIAL RIDING ESTABLISHMENTS

B4.84 Over the past 20 years horse riding has grown in popularity. With it has come the need to provide new or extended commercial riding establishments. Such developments do not have agricultural permitted development rights and often require extensive areas of land and a range of buildings for their operation. PPG7 stresses the need to ensure that equestrian activities do not have an adverse impact on the appearance of the countryside, including the visual impact of jumps and other equipment, and that horses are well housed and cared for.

B4.85 Commercial riding establishments can re-use or adapt agricultural or other rural buildings, and contribute towards agricultural diversification. However, the demand for large scale new buildings and car parks is in conflict with the purposes of the Green Belt and schemes can be particularly inappropriate in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in other areas of landscape importance. Proposals will need to comply with other policies in the Plan including those on new buildings in the countryside or Green Belt and additional criteria, more specifically related to the development of commercial riding establishments, are set out in Policy SR.12.

B4.86 The Council will seek a satisfactory management plan setting out detailed proposals for landscaping and nature conservation including proposals for the retention, conservation or enhancement of exciting features or habitats.

B4.87 Where horse related developments are proposed in the countryside, they should be located close to an existing dwelling, or farm complex so that the demand for a new dwelling for security reasons does not arise.

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