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Well-Known Forumite
This is why change is required an extract taken from Greenhall , Lichfield Road SBC officers report
Note our new leisure centre is at capacity how old is this facility ?
The Council’s policy is that all developments over 10 houses should provide open space. This development does not provide open space, only garden space for the sole use by residents; It is recognised nationally that those above the age of 55 are maintaining active lifestyles for significantly longer and well into their late 70’s and 80’s. As a result the applicant fails to acknowledge that there will be an impact upon existing open spaces and in particular outdoor activities. Such activities will include bowling and walking. To simply assume that because the occupants will be retired and they will remain within the confines of the complex is an incorrect assumption; The use of allotments across the Borough is rising. With the majority of those taking on an allotment being 55 plus. Currently the Borough has no free allotment space with all allotment sites having waiting lists. It is likely that the residents of the development may seek to take on an allotment after they have down sized. Due to the size of this development the Council is reasonably entitled to request a quantitative provision of 34 sq m per person of open space provision under its current policy. In accordance with the financial contributions guide for new development provision of Open Space and commuted sums, the financial contribution required for this development should be £72,436.87 for off-site open space including £4,725.44 for maintenance; Sport England and the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Assessment identifies there is currently shortfall of 300 sq m of swimming space and that Stafford Leisure Centre is currently operating at capacity. Any future developments will further increase the deficiency in swimming capacity. We have applied the current Sport England Facilities calculator to the proposed development as there will be an impact upon facilities in the local area. Sports Contributions for the development total £16,466.53, comprising £15,178.00 for swimming pools and £1,288.53 bowling greens Allotments in Stafford are at capacity and there are waiting lists for all allotments sites within the town. The development will trigger a requirement for 393.75 sq m of allotment space. It would not be sustainable to set up such a small allotment plot on site. As such we recommend that an offsite contribution is secured to enhancing allotment provision in Stafford to the value of £2,000. This equates to land cost and the layout costs.
This is one application , this is sectuon106 monies as I have said before you need to look into applications and the monies asked for then reply conspiracy is your wording , doing up the park side tracks everyone of what a wonderful borough council we have it happens all the time
