Decision details

To seek endorsement for the provision of community hubs at new strategic housing sites.

That:

1. the development of community hubs at the Warfield and TRL sites and the expansion of Farley Wood community centre using S106 funds be endorsed
2. the proposed approach to the management of the centres outlined in paragraphs 5.26-5.29 of the Director of Corporate Services’ report and discussions on this with the Parish and Town Councils and other interested parties be endorsed

The Local Planning Authority (LPA) needs to be able to defend its requests for infrastructure contributions from new development.  The LPA indicates that the proposed community hubs are needed to support new and existing communities and have identified their inclusion in the newly adopted Site Allocations Local Plan (SALP).  The two proposed community hubs and one extended community centre are likely to be viable for delivery but they need to be supported as Council policy to strengthen our case for provision.  Community hubs are listed as infrastructure in SALP policy and in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan; however, the LPA needs to ensure that CMT and the Executive are committed to the development of community hubs to support their negotiations with developers and the prioritisation of these facilities as these will be subject to negotiation from developers.  Details of the provision are in section 5.4 ‘Multi-functional Community Hubs’ of the draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning document May 2014.

The Council could choose not to provide community hubs in the new housing development.  However, evidence from Jennetts Park and The Parks shows that community centres are highly valued by residents as a place to meet, get to know each other and access services and activities, supporting community cohesion and engagement.  The Jennetts Park Community Centre is very well used and the Community Association running it is generating significant income from it to reinvest in community activities such as a Kids Club.   

The provision of these hubs is also a requirement of the policies in the SALP adopted by the Council in July 2013.

None

Bracknell Forest Council Planning Officers, Corporate Management Team and Ward Councillors.