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10. RECREATION
   
Policy R1 Interpretation of Structure Plan Policies for Sport and Recreation Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy R2 Loss of Existing Sports Facilities Throughout the District
Policy R3 Indoor Sports Facilities in the Built-up Areas excluded from the Green Belt
Policy R4 Indoor Sports Facilities in the Green Belt
Policy R5 New Outdoor Sports Facilities in the Green Belt (except Floodlighting) Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy R6 Floodlighting of Sports Facilities Throughout the District
Policy R7 Loss of Public Amenity Open Space and Common Land as defined on the Proposals Map
Policy R8 Retention of Existing Character and Appearance of Public Amenity Open Space and Common Land as defined on the Proposals Map
Policy R9 New Areas of Public Amenity Open Space in the Green Belt Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy R10 Loss of Other Amenity Open Space (not open to the general public) as defined on the Proposals Map
Policy R11 Land to the South East of Chesham Moor : Water Based Recreation
Policy R12 Loss of Allotments Throughout the District
Policy R13 Horse Riding and Equestrian Activities Throughout the District
Policy R14 Picnic Sites Open to the Public Throughout the District Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy R15 The Colne Valley Park Policy deleted
Policy R16 Golf Courses and Golf Driving Ranges Throughout the District
 
  Interpretation Of Structure Plan Policies For Sport And Recreation
  POLICY R1
  For the purpose of Policies R2-R5 in this chapter the following terms and phrases from Structure Plan Policies SR1-SR3 will be interpreted as defined below:
  Structure Plan Policy SR1
  (i) "Suitability" will be interpreted as relating to the current uses to be relocated, or, if they are not required, for proposed alternative uses to be accommodated.
  (ii) "Convenience" will be interpreted as relating to current users, in terms of walking distance and accessibility by public and private transport.
  Structure Plan Policy SR2
  (iii) The term "open countryside" will be interpreted as meaning the land within the Green Belt which is excluded from the built up areas and which is outside the Green Belt settlements as identified on the Proposals Map.
  (iv) "Activities which, of their nature, require a countryside location" will include those sport and recreational activities whose existence depends upon an open air setting within the countryside.
  Structure Plan Policy SR3
  (v) The term "the existing or planned settlement limits" will be interpreted as meaning the built-up areas excluded from, but enclosed by, the Green Belt, as shown on the Proposals Map, that is, Amersham and Chesham Bois; Chalfont St Giles; Chalfont St Peter; Chesham; Great Missenden and Prestwood; Hazlemere - Tylers Green - fringes; Heath End; Holmer Green; Knotty Green; Little Chalfont and Seer Green.
  Loss Of Existing Sports Facilities Throughout The District
  POLICY R2
  Development which would result in the loss of any existing sports facility to a non-sports use will be refused, unless either of the circumstances set out below applies.
  An exception to this policy may be permitted in the following circumstances;
  (i) the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Council that there is no continuing community need for the facility and it is not possible to use the facility for other sports.
    or
  (ii) alternative provision of at least an equivalent size, suitability and convenience, as defined in Policy R1 (i) and (ii) is made,
    and
  (iii) Other Policies in this Local Plan are complied with.
  For the purposes of this policy outdoor sports facilities include existing school playing fields, land last used as school playing fields and equipped children s' playgrounds.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
  Indoor Sports Facilities In The Built-up Areas Excluded From The Green Belt Including The District And Local Shopping Centres As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY R3
  The Council will permit the provision of indoor sports facilities in the built-up areas excluded from the Green Belt as defined in Policy R1, Clause (v), and including the District and Local Shopping Centres as defined on the Proposals Map, provided that other policies in this Local Plan are complied with.
  Development of such facilities on land currently in use as playing fields will be permitted, provided that the existing level of playing provision on that land can be retained.
  This policy applies to applications for new buildings, replacement buildings, changes of use of existing buildings, and extensions to existing indoor sports buildings.
  Extensions to existing indoor sports buildings should be sited within the existing curtilage of a sports facility and will be considered in accordance with the General Criteria and Transport policies in this Local Plan.
  Indoor Sports Facilities In The Green Belt
  POLICY R4
  Indoor sports facilities in the Green Belt will be refused unless all of the following criteria are met:
  (i) The proposed facility would constitute infilling within one of the following villages whose boundaries are as defined on the Proposals Map for the purposes of Policies GB4 or GB5:
    Ashley Green; Ballinger; Botley/Ley Hill; Hyde Heath; Jordans; Little Kingshill; South Heath and Winchmore Hill.
  (ii) The proposed facility would be of a size and type only suitable to serve the identified needs of the rural population, which is defined as the population of the village in which the recreational facility would be located and its immediate catchment area.
  (iii) The proposed facility would be small-scale. Small scale is defined as a size of building which is sufficient only for the reasonable functioning of the indoor sports activity, or activities, and which is also in keeping with the scale of buildings in the surrounding area.
  (iv) The applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Council that there is sufficient potential demand to support the facility from the rural population as defined in clause (ii).
  (v) The site for the proposed facility is not a village green, a common, or other public amenity open space as defined in Policy R7.
  (vi) There would be no significant adverse effect on residents' amenities or on the open character and appearance of the Green Belt.
  (vii) Other Policies in this Local Plan would be complied with.
  This policy applies to new buildings, replacement buildings and extensions to existing buildings providing indoor sports facilities. Changes of use of existing buildings to provide indoor sports facilities are covered by Policy GB29.
  New Outdoor Sports Facilities In The Green Belt (Except Floodlighting)
  POLICY R5
  The development of outdoor sports facilities on sites in the Green Belt will be permitted provided these facilities are:
  (i) characterised by predominantly open air use, as distinct from essential buildings and other structures,
    and
  (ii) the applicant demonstrates to the Council's satisfaction that there is a proven requirement for new provision,
    and
  (iii) in the case of golf courses, Policy R16 is complied with,
    and
  (iv) other Policies in this Local Plan are complied with.
  In addition:
  1. Any new buildings, replacement buildings, or extensions to existing buildings should provide essential facilities for the proposed outdoor sports use, should be small scale and comply with Policy GB28 clauses (ii) and (iii).
  2. The facility should not be prominent in the rural scene.
  3. In the areas of landscape with "special qualities" (see Chapter 5), the Council will have particular regard to Policies LSQ1 - LSQ4, and the requirements of these policies should be met.
  This policy applies to new outdoor sports facilities, essential new and replacement buildings ancillary to existing outdoor sports facilities and essential extensions to such ancillary buildings but not to floodlighting, which is the subject of Policy R6.
  Floodlighting Of Sports Facilities Throughout The District
  POLICY R6
  Proposals for floodlighting of outdoor sports facilities in the built-up areas will not be permitted unless the following criteria are met:
  (i) the amenities of residents in the locality in which the floodlights are proposed would not be significantly impaired,
    and
  (ii) the character of that locality would not be significantly impaired,
    and
  (iii) other Policies in the Local Plan would be complied with.
  In the Green Belt, proposals for floodlighting will be refused, except where it can be demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Council, that they are essential to the use of land for outdoor sport and that clauses (i) - (iii) above are complied with.
  This Policy applies to proposals for new floodlights, for additional floodlights at sites with existing floodlights and for the variation of conditions on the hours of use of existing floodlights.
  Loss Of Public Amenity Open Space And Common Land As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY R7
  The Council will not permit the change of use to any other purpose of the areas of public amenity open space and common land as defined on the Proposals Map, except in the following circumstances.
  In the case of the proposed use of the land as playing pitches, exceptions may be made provided that:
  (i) there is no conflict with other Policies in this Local Plan, in particular Policy R8,
    and
  (ii) that the land remains available to the public for use as an amenity open space when games are not in progress.
  Retention Of Existing Character And Appearance Of Public Amenity Open Space And Common Land As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY R8
  Development will not be permitted if it will detract from the existing character and appearance of any of the areas of public open space and common land as defined on the Proposals Map.
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, the proposals should also com ply with other Policies in this Local Plan, for example, Policies TW3, TW6 and NC1.
  New Areas Of Public Amenity Open Space In The Green Belt
  POLICY R9
  The use of land in the Green Belt as public amenity open space will be permitted provided that all of the following criteria are met:
  (i) adequate provision is made for car parking without detriment to the character of the open space or its locality.
  (ii) highway safety is not likely to be impaired as a result of the use.
  (iii) Policy GB28 in the Green Belt chapter and other Policies in the Local Plan are complied with.
  Loss Of Other Amenity Open Space (not open to the general public) As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY R10
  Development will not be permitted if it would:
  (i) result in the loss, as a whole or in part, of any area of amenity open space (not open to the general public) as defined on the Proposals Map;
    or
  (ii) be seriously detrimental to the established character of the amenity open space referred to in clause (i).
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, the proposals should also comply with other Policies in this Local Plan.
  Land To The South-East Of Chesham Moor : Water Based Recreation
  POLICY R11
  The Council will permit water-based recreation on the site south-east of Chesham Moor as identified on the Proposals Map following the completion of gravel extraction and the approved restoration scheme, provided that:
  (i) Policy GB28 is complied with,
    and
  (ii) The nature conservation interest of the site is conserved and Policy NC1 is complied with.
  Motor-powered water sports will not be permitted.
  Loss Of Allotments Throughout The District
  POLICY R12
  The Council will not permit the change of use of allotments to any other purpose unless all of the following criteria are met:
  (i) The applicant has demonstrated to the Council's satisfaction that:
    (a) there has been a continuing lack of demand for the use of the majority of the land comprising the allotments the subject of the planning application over the last five-years;
      and
    (b) positive and realistic action to let land for allotments on the site referred to in clause (a) has proved unsuccessful.
  (ii) The proposed use of the land would be predominantly open in character and provide amenity open space.
  (iii) Other Policies in this Local Plan are complied with.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
  Horse Riding And Equestrian Activities Throughout The District
  POLICY R13
  Proposals for new equestrian facilities, including livery stables, throughout the District, will be permitted provided that all of the following criteria are met:
  (i) the proposal would be well screened and have no detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the locality in which it would be sited.
  (ii) the amenities of local residents would not be significantly adversely affected.
  (iii) highway safety would not be impaired by the proposal and the local highway network would have adequate capacity for any increase in traffic generation.
  (vi) there would be no detrimental impact on the character or appearance of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Area of Attractive Landscape, the Locally Important Landscape Areas, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, or on any designated Conservation Area.
  (v) other Policies in this Local Plan, including Policy GB28, would be complied with.
   
  Picnic Sites Open To The Public Throughout The District
  POLICY R14
  The provision of small scale picnic sites open to the public will be permitted provided that other policies in this Local Plan are complied with, particularly those relating to car parking, traffic generation and landscapes with special qualities.
  This Policy applies throughout the District.
  The Colne Valley Park
  POLICY R15
  That part of the Colne Valley Park which is within Chiltern District is identified on the Proposals Map.
  Any developments in this part of the Park will be considered in accordance with the policies in this Local Plan.
   
  Golf Courses And Golf Driving Ranges Throughout The District
  POLICY R16
  Throughout the District, proposals for golf courses, including proposed buildings and car parking areas will be permitted provided that Policies GB26, R5 and the following criteria are complied with:
  (i) The character and appearance of the locality should not be adversely affected. Golf courses should be appropriately laid out and landscaped to achieve good visual integration in the countryside setting, having regard to the prevailing landscape characteristics of the locality in which the proposed course is to be located. New planting should use native trees, shrubs, herbs or grasses where appropriate for the site.
  (ii) Where golf courses are proposed in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Parks or Gardens of Special Historic Interest, or other areas of high quality landscape, their special character and appearance should be conserved or enhanced.
  (iii) Archaeological remains should be conserved.
  (iv) Nature conservation interests should be protected. Wherever possible landscaping should enhance existing features of wildlife interest. The Council may require habitat creation or enhancement as part of golf course proposals.
  Golf Driving Ranges
  Proposals for golf driving ranges in the Green Belt will be refused.
   
   
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