Local Employment and Community Facilities

Local Employment and Community Facilities

Purpose

To support a range of local employment and community facilities, to enable more sustainable live/work patterns.

Rationale and Evidence

National policy and guidance

Local Plan policy.

Current employment / commuting

Need to support home working / broadband service

Existing facilities / deficiencies

KEF1: Employment

1. Development for new employment will be supported in the following locations:

• Keele University Campus, Business and Science Park and ancillary sites;
• The Keele Centre, Three Mile Lane;
• Keele Driving Range;
• Keele Service Station.

• Outside of these locations, development to diversify existing small businesses or agricultural complexes will be supported.

• Support for development under this policy is subject to there being no significant adverse impacts on:

• The amenities of nearby residential properties by reason of noise, disturbance, dust, vibration or other impacts;
• The historic or rural landscape character of the area.

Interpretation:

Other requirements for employment related development, including design and transport, are set out in other policies. Policy KUC1 sets specific requirements for development of the Keele University campus.

KEF2: Broadband

1. New build development must include high-speed broadband infrastructure, so as to be ready as local services are upgraded. This includes provision within the curtilage of all new dwellings.

Interpretation:

The policy relates to broadband infrastructure within development sites.

KEF3: Community Facilities

1. New community facilities, or the diversification of existing community facilities will be supported, providing there is no significant adverse impact on:

• The amenities of nearby residential properties by reason of noise, disturbance, dust, vibration or other impacts;
• The historic or rural landscape character of the area;

• Loss of community uses, will be resisted unless it can be demonstrated that the use is no longer viable or similar or better facilities are being provided in close proximity.

• Local facilities of particular community value include:

• Keele Village Hall, Highway Lane;
• The Sneyd Arms Public House, The VIllage;
• St Johns Church, Church Bank;
• The Golf Driving Range, Keele Road;
• Various facilities within Keele University Campus, including shops and post office.

Interpretation:

The policy seeks to protect and retain existing community facilities, but also to create flexibility to allow diversification, to help make them more viable. Community facilities include sports, meeting, recreational and other facilities.

Close proximity would mean within easy walking distance, without the need for transport.