BP15

Policy: BP15 - Business Policy 15

Business Policy 15: In new Area Plans, the Department will seek to identify buildings and sites which are redundant for tourist use, and will propose new uses therefor.

CHAPTER 10

SPORT, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

CONTENTS

• 10.1 Introduction
• 10.2 Sport and Recreation
• 10.3 Open Space
• 10.4 General Leisure
• 10.5 Civic and Community Facilities
• 10.6 Neighbourhood Centres
• 10.7 Community Centres
• 10.8 Retention of Existing Local Shops and Public Houses
• 10.9 Hospitals
• 10.10 School Sites
• 10.11 Community Health Care Facilities
• 10.12 Police Service
• 10.13 Fire Service

CHAPTER 10

SPORT, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES

10.1 Introduction

10.1.1 The quality of life on the Island and the quality of our environment are improved by attractive open space and by facilities for recreation and other community purposes. This chapter sets out policies which combine to form a land-use planning framework for the provision, protection and enhancement of such space and facilities.

10.2 Sport and Recreation

10.2.1 The Sport and Recreation Strategy 2002-2012 - "Planning for Sport" sets out a vision for the continued development and growth of sport on the Island and the benefits that this will bring. The Island is fortunate in that over the recent years a network of sporting facilities has been provided across the Island. The Sport and Recreation Strategy envisages improving on these both in terms of sport development and, as appropriate, new facilities.

10.3 Open Space

10.3.1 The presence and use of various forms of Open Space in towns and villages on the Island form an integral part of the fabric of community life. Open Space takes various forms and serves many purposes. It ranges from formally laid parks to the wide and extensive public footpath network including Raad Ny Foillan and Millennium Way.

10.3.2 Open Space forms part of our heritage as well as being an attractive and usable asset, and, in the wider context, provides visual and spiritual relief from the developed urban settlements on the Island. In addition, it provides recreational enjoyment in respect of various active and some less active forms of sporting activity. Open Spaces also provide a means of improving the health and fitness of the Island's population. Open Space is defined in this context as land used for recreational purposes, both formal and informal, including amenity space whether privately or publicly owned.

10.3.3 The Strategic Plan needs to facilitate sport and recreation opportunities and to ensure that areas of open space are retained, and provided to meet local needs. The Strategic Plan will facilitate this by a three pronged approach:

1. protecting existing assets;
2. making good deficiencies in existing provision; and
3. providing adequate provision within new development.

In pursuing these three objectives, it is recognised that developers will not be expected to make good existing deficiencies in recreational facilities as a requirement of carrying out their developments.

10.3.4 To ensure that suitable provision is made for sport and recreation development across the Island it is proposed that Area Plans should incorporate an assessment of sport and recreation need and provisions. This should include, where appropriate water-based sport and recreation. Such assessments should recognise that sport and recreation facilities may benefit local communities across defined Area Plan boundaries.