Core Strategy Preferred Options document - Amazon Web Services

Strategies, Activities and Actions – Community Infrastructure, Leisure
and Tourism
80% of residents
thought that facilities
for children had got
better or stayed the
same and 54.26%
thought that facilities
for teenagers in the
District had got better
or stayed the same.
A lack of facilities for
young people is a
current weakness in
the District.
Despite the ageing
population (which
could lead to an
increased demand for
health and social care,
rather than services for
youth), it is important
that the needs of
young people are
catered for to avoid the
isolation of the existing
pockets of young
people in the area.
CLT7 Play Space – Preferred Option
New residential developments will incorporate appropriate communal
play space which is accessible and subject to natural surveillance.
Play space within developments must be maintained in perpetuity by
developers or an appropriate management company.
We will seek to protect existing play spaces and enhance them
through the provision of additional fixed play equipment.
Standard Charges will be applied to secure play space enhancements
as per CLT1.
CLT7 – Alternative Options
Option Why is it not preferred?
Not to require developments to
incorporate play spaces, but to
ensure play spaces are provided
off-site in locations accessible to
residents.
Youth Facilities
Formal places where people can meet and interact with their peers have
traditionally fallen into two categories: spaces for children (e.g.
playgrounds); and spaces for adults (e.g. pubs). Within such spaces
adolescents do not tend to be welcome and may find themselves
excluded. This coupled with a lack of accessible, appropriate, informal
meeting places for adolescents in the District has created a demand for
additional youth facilities. The exact nature of such facilities will depend
on the particular local need and the particular group such use is meant
for, for example facilities for 12 year-olds are likely to differ considerably
from those appropriate for older teenagers.
There have been efforts in recent years by various organisations to
create facilities for young people, but concerns have been expressed that
existing planning policies have hindered their development.
We believe a more positive approach is now required towards such
facilities. In particular, we are looking at the provision of teen shelters in
areas of the District where a need for spaces for youths is shown, and the
provision of a skate park in Great Wakering.
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This would create play
spaces which are less well
integrated with residential
developments.