The Leisure and Recreation Needs Assessment is a robust assessment of the existing and future needs of the borough for open space, sport and recreation facilities, and covers the requirements of national guidance as set out in Planning Policy Statement 17: Planning for open space, sport and recreation. 

The assessment will form a framework for establishing the borough's future approach to open space, sport and recreation and will, therefore, be key to the creation of liveable, attractive and healthy communities in the borough.

By providing clarity on existing provision and the long term needs of the area, it will enable decisions to be made, through the Local Development Framework and other means, on which spaces and facilities should be protected or improved whilst identifying provision which may best be developed for other purposes. It also identifies gaps in provision and suggests policy approaches to address existing deficiencies.

The study was published in January 2009 and consists of the main report, a set of appendices and a set of maps. 

Please be aware that the appendices document and set of maps are large documents and may therefore take some time to download.

Documents